Auto to manual?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
Auto to manual?
Wondering what it'd take to do a conversion of a 69 Automatic to a manual transmission?
Part of me says I should just be happy with what I got or sell/trade for what I want, the other part of me says make it into what I want...
Have any of you guys done the conversion? Is it hell or just a hassle? Are there any descriptions or stories about them?
I'm figuring:
- change pedals
- clutch (are they manual or hydraulic?)
- manual trans
- shifter and bezel plate
It actually doesn't seem like much at all looking at that list...
Thanks,
Chris
Part of me says I should just be happy with what I got or sell/trade for what I want, the other part of me says make it into what I want...
Have any of you guys done the conversion? Is it hell or just a hassle? Are there any descriptions or stories about them?
I'm figuring:
- change pedals
- clutch (are they manual or hydraulic?)
- manual trans
- shifter and bezel plate
It actually doesn't seem like much at all looking at that list...
Thanks,
Chris
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Lots more than what you listed. I have done this many times and it is veery doable. Bellhousing, clutch linkage or hydraulic lines and throwout bearing. Backup switches and clutch safety switch and a bunch of other small parts. Keisler, American Powertrain, and one other company makes kits ofr this conversion. They list all the parts so you can either get the complete kit from them or source the parts yourself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Probably best to go with the Keisler 5 speed TKO kit. While seemingly not the cheapest route, sure nice to open the box and have everything there. Know a couple guys that went this route, and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
Hey guys,
Thanks! I knew there'd be more things on that list. I'll look at the other sites. If you know of a DIYer who's posted his experience, I'd love to read it.
Thanks,
Chris
(Phil, PM sent.)
Thanks! I knew there'd be more things on that list. I'll look at the other sites. If you know of a DIYer who's posted his experience, I'd love to read it.
Thanks,
Chris
(Phil, PM sent.)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at the two installations. Your AT frame will not have the bracketry for the clutch and you will need all of that.
Your block must be tapped for the clutch ball stud -- many are, but worth checking.
Shifter holes in the underbody are larger for the AT than they are for the manual trans. AIM shows how much larger the hole was cut.
You may have to drill a couple of holes in the cowl and will need to plug the M40 hole.
New shifter plate is not required. The four speed stuff fits the AT plate.
AT radiator will work fine for the 4 speed.
Your block must be tapped for the clutch ball stud -- many are, but worth checking.
Shifter holes in the underbody are larger for the AT than they are for the manual trans. AIM shows how much larger the hole was cut.
You may have to drill a couple of holes in the cowl and will need to plug the M40 hole.
New shifter plate is not required. The four speed stuff fits the AT plate.
AT radiator will work fine for the 4 speed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Agree the pedals are the biggest PITA. And, by all means get an AIM. Wherever possible I would stay with the factory designed layout and pretty much all of the misc bits, and the C3 requires a specific fork. You'll have to properly locate and weld the clutch pivot arm bracket onto the frame. Highly suggest using the lower manual shifter boot (the hidden one that goes beneath the console) as a template for the cut out. One place where you're already ahead of the game, the auto frame has a removable transmission cross-member.
Don't overlook doing your gearing homework in selecting the right box for your needs. Done properly, IMHO this conversion is one of the best mods you'll ever make.
Don't overlook doing your gearing homework in selecting the right box for your needs. Done properly, IMHO this conversion is one of the best mods you'll ever make.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
i did it recently on my 78. the drive shaft is different also, (the manual is a bit longer) plus you might want to consider getting lower rear end gears (like to a 3:36 or lower). it's not required, but it will give you better low end performance and unless you are racing the car, you will appreciate the difference just driving it around town. in my case i went with all OEM stuff just like the car would have been built as a 4 speed at the factory instead of the auto it had. i accumulated all the parts in pieces from various sources including a lot of parts help from members here. in addition, i don't believe it was mentioned, but i believe on the 69 the cross member is different between a 69 auto and standard. you will definitely have to cut the tunnel some to accomodate the shifter (the manual corvette shifter is a bit off center) then you will need to fabricate a plate to weld to the tunnel to form the proper shape for the lower shifter boot. just a few things to consider
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 850
Likes: 36
From: Providence RI
Or glue, if you have a fiberglass floorpan/tunnel on an earlier car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In