Manual trans C3's
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
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From: Salem NH
Manual trans C3's
Been looking at C3's for sale. I've noticed every 1980-1982 I've seen was automatic.
Did they stop putting manuals in the last few years, or was it just really rare?
-- Joe
Did they stop putting manuals in the last few years, or was it just really rare?
-- Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
For 1980, the 4 speed was available only on the L48 base engine cars; for 1981, the 4 speed was a buyer's choice and required a steel rear spring. All 82s were automatics.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 21, 2020 at 10:01 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,934
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
Really rare in 80 (as @Easy Mike said, L48 only), really rare in 81, none in 82.
VetteFacts has production numbers, about 14% each year:
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1981.aspx
I lucked out and found an 80 4-speed. If you want a manual, but don't need a 40 year old 4-speed, my advice would be to find a really nice 80 and do a 5 or 6-speed manual conversion.
VetteFacts has production numbers, about 14% each year:
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1981.aspx
I lucked out and found an 80 4-speed. If you want a manual, but don't need a 40 year old 4-speed, my advice would be to find a really nice 80 and do a 5 or 6-speed manual conversion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
When you go thru the entire 15 model year span of C-3's...some 75-80% were automatics.
As said before all 24,500 units in 1982 were 700 R-4's
100% of all C-8's are automatics as well...with no manuals scheduled EVER.
As said before all 24,500 units in 1982 were 700 R-4's
100% of all C-8's are automatics as well...with no manuals scheduled EVER.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 1,191
If you are thinking '80-'81 go with the 4-Speed. I had twin Black/Oyster cloth '80s. One is a 4-Speed the other was a L-82. I sold the L-82 and kept the 4-Speed because it is more fun to drive and I could not tell the difference in performance even thought the L-82 is rated at 40 hp more. If you are interested I have a White '81 4-Speed car for sale. 42k miles. $14,500. turbo.jet427@yahoo.com
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
If you are thinking '80-'81 go with the 4-Speed. I had twin Black/Oyster cloth '80s. One is a 4-Speed the other was a L-82. I sold the L-82 and kept the 4-Speed because it is more fun to drive and I could not tell the difference in performance even thought the L-82 is rated at 40 hp more. If you are interested I have a White '81 4-Speed car for sale. 42k miles. $14,500. turbo.jet427@yahoo.com
I have a C4 right now, 6 speed, hot 450hp engine. I've had a couple C3's, a '75 and a '79. I liked the '79 better as far as comfort. It just felt roomier maybe because of the rear window, seats, etc. Both were t-top cars. I've also looked at a couple convertibles, a '73 specifically the other day which I really liked. But it was automatic. I want a 4 speed car.
Thanks for the info guys. That explains a lot.
-- Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 1,191
I'm not sure what I want, honestly.. I've looked at a few cars.
I have a C4 right now, 6 speed, hot 450hp engine. I've had a couple C3's, a '75 and a '79. I liked the '79 better as far as comfort. It just felt roomier maybe because of the rear window, seats, etc. Both were t-top cars. I've also looked at a couple convertibles, a '73 specifically the other day which I really liked. But it was automatic. I want a 4 speed car.
Thanks for the info guys. That explains a lot.
-- Joe
I have a C4 right now, 6 speed, hot 450hp engine. I've had a couple C3's, a '75 and a '79. I liked the '79 better as far as comfort. It just felt roomier maybe because of the rear window, seats, etc. Both were t-top cars. I've also looked at a couple convertibles, a '73 specifically the other day which I really liked. But it was automatic. I want a 4 speed car.
Thanks for the info guys. That explains a lot.
-- Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
When they were new, the '80-'82 cars were considered 'luxury sport' vehicles....not performance vehicles. So most received automatic transmissions (all of them in '82). A stock '80-81 with a 4 speed trans is STILL not a performance car. The engine and suspension can be upgraded to make it into a performance vehicle; if that is what you want.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
From what I've read about such transmissions they shift more smoothly and much faster than any human but you can still operate them "manually" sans the clutch if you want. I believe these are used in all or nearly all "super cars" with them now used in many? most? (shudder) Porches?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
Really rare in 80 (as @Easy Mike said, L48 only), really rare in 81, none in 82.
VetteFacts has production numbers, about 14% each year:
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1981.aspx
I lucked out and found an 80 4-speed. If you want a manual, but don't need a 40 year old 4-speed, my advice would be to find a really nice 80 and do a 5 or 6-speed manual conversion.
VetteFacts has production numbers, about 14% each year:
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
http://vettefacts.com/C3/1981.aspx
I lucked out and found an 80 4-speed. If you want a manual, but don't need a 40 year old 4-speed, my advice would be to find a really nice 80 and do a 5 or 6-speed manual conversion.
Manual cars are hard to come by, especially in the later years. What I found when I was looking was that IF you find one, it's usually way over priced (because it's a manual). Besides, unless you are just desperate for nostalgia, the manual 4 speed is horrible shifting by todays standards. Add to it that the automatic cars got a higher (numerical) gear ratio, and once you swap in a modern manual, you have a better car. Also, keep in mind that it's not uncommon for manual cars to get beat on harder than automatics (cause "race car").
I ended up buying myself an automatic 1979 and even after T56 and EFI swap, I'll still be several thousand dollars ahead on what a comparable "factory 4 speed" car would have cost.
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Sep 22, 2020 at 04:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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According to the Corvette DNA app a 4 speed in an 80,81 adds $6000 to the price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 1,191
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
I picked up a 1980, 4 speed car. Car was completely disassembled for a frame off restoration. The frame and absolutely everything metal has been media blasted and powder coated. All the body work was done and it's in primer right now waiting for base coat. I'm going to assemble the frame and everything over the winter, paint and then finish putting the car together.
What I'm trying to decide now is what I want to do for an engine. I have a couple different motors in the shop. It's a factory AC car.
-- Joe
What I'm trying to decide now is what I want to do for an engine. I have a couple different motors in the shop. It's a factory AC car.
-- Joe
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,934
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
I picked up a 1980, 4 speed car. Car was completely disassembled for a frame off restoration. The frame and absolutely everything metal has been media blasted and powder coated. All the body work was done and it's in primer right now waiting for base coat. I'm going to assemble the frame and everything over the winter, paint and then finish putting the car together.
What I'm trying to decide now is what I want to do for an engine. I have a couple different motors in the shop. It's a factory AC car.
-- Joe
What I'm trying to decide now is what I want to do for an engine. I have a couple different motors in the shop. It's a factory AC car.
-- Joe
Please start a build thread with some photos!
