1982 shifter question
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
The 82 Corvette used the same basic automatic shifter, as 68-81 automatic Corvettes. As such, it only has 3 detents. I don't think that Chevrolet provided anyway of manually shifting the 82 Corvette, into first gear. If you have access to an owners manual, take a quick look at it and see what Chevrolet says about the operation of the transmission.
I'm guessing that if your talented or creative enough, you could modify the stock shifter, but I'm not aware how.
I'm guessing that if your talented or creative enough, you could modify the stock shifter, but I'm not aware how.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
another tip is to slightly depress on the accelerator (bringing the r's up slightly) when making a downshift, as to put less stress on the trans when doing this.
I will try to get the info on the operating range and get back to you.
update.....even though my console is still out of the car, looked at my shift plate (out of the car).....
it has: P R N D 3 2 and then a space where you can still move the shifter back another notch. I can move my shifter lever 6 positions: from the unmarked to 2 (1): from 2 to 3 (2): from 3 to D (3): from D to N (4)
from N to R (5) and from R to P (6)
the trans was rebuilt before I purchased the car, and may have had some mods done, as the PO never sent me the info after the sale. I will say that the trans (at least my trans) shifts different when starting out in "3" as opposed to "D", giving a more crisper shift, so there be some type of kit in mine, I don't know.....
Last edited by 74 LS4-454; Jan 12, 2013 at 04:05 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
No. There is no way to select Low gear in the '82 car. That was the first year for the 700R4 (overdrive) transmission, which has 4 forward ranges. With the new transmission, GM decided NOT to install the Low range detent position in the shifter gate, but kept the same gate as for prior years (with only 3 selectable ranges).
The '82 car started in low range, but you could not select that range and keep it there...nor could you downshift manually to Low range.
As mentioned above, you can remove the detent plate from the shifter and modify it for that low range position. Or you can purchase a detent plate for a C3 Corvette w/ 700R4 tranny from one of the aftermarket vendors.
The '82 car started in low range, but you could not select that range and keep it there...nor could you downshift manually to Low range.
As mentioned above, you can remove the detent plate from the shifter and modify it for that low range position. Or you can purchase a detent plate for a C3 Corvette w/ 700R4 tranny from one of the aftermarket vendors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
No. There is no way to select Low gear in the '82 car. That was the first year for the 700R4 (overdrive) transmission, which has 4 forward ranges. With the new transmission, GM decided NOT to install the Low range detent position in the shifter gate, but kept the same gate as for prior years (with only 3 selectable ranges).
The '82 car started in low range, but you could not select that range and keep it there...nor could you downshift manually to Low range.
As mentioned above, you can remove the detent plate from the shifter and modify it for that low range position. Or you can purchase a detent plate for a C3 Corvette w/ 700R4 tranny from one of the aftermarket vendors.
The '82 car started in low range, but you could not select that range and keep it there...nor could you downshift manually to Low range.
As mentioned above, you can remove the detent plate from the shifter and modify it for that low range position. Or you can purchase a detent plate for a C3 Corvette w/ 700R4 tranny from one of the aftermarket vendors.
btw...I have 4 selectable ranges on mine, prior to this thread did not know if this was factory intent or not, now I know........
Last edited by 74 LS4-454; Jan 12, 2013 at 06:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Will it actually "lock" in 1st gear position, or do you have to manually hold the shifter where it will engage in 1st gear?
If it will lock in ALL forward gears [separately], someone has modified or swapped out the detent plate {sometime in the past}.
I've been either 'mistaken'
or 'dead wrong' 
on many occasions in the past...but I don't believe the '82 came with a 7-position detent plate.
It might be possible to make adjustment to the shift cable so that you could 'sneak' it into a 1st gear lock; but I don't think all the other positions would work as expected.
If it will lock in ALL forward gears [separately], someone has modified or swapped out the detent plate {sometime in the past}.
I've been either 'mistaken'
or 'dead wrong' on many occasions in the past...but I don't believe the '82 came with a 7-position detent plate.It might be possible to make adjustment to the shift cable so that you could 'sneak' it into a 1st gear lock; but I don't think all the other positions would work as expected.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Will it actually "lock" in 1st gear position, or do you have to manually hold the shifter where it will engage in 1st gear?
If it will lock in ALL forward gears [separately], someone has modified or swapped out the detent plate {sometime in the past}.
I've been either 'mistaken' or 'dead wrong' on many occasions in the past...but I don't believe the '82 came with a 7-position detent plate.
It might be possible to make adjustment to the shift cable so that you could 'sneak' it into a 1st gear lock; but I don't think all the other positions would work as expected.
If it will lock in ALL forward gears [separately], someone has modified or swapped out the detent plate {sometime in the past}.
I've been either 'mistaken'
or 'dead wrong' on many occasions in the past...but I don't believe the '82 came with a 7-position detent plate.It might be possible to make adjustment to the shift cable so that you could 'sneak' it into a 1st gear lock; but I don't think all the other positions would work as expected.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified