Manual Trans Conversion - Worth It?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 495
It's worth it if you want a stick shift Vette . I would go the new TKX myself if I was going manual . I actually wanted an automatic in my Vette but I do have a manual transmission drag car with Mcleod soft lock clutch and 13 pound flywheel for the UMTR series out in these parts of the country but the same drag car with Trans brake reverse valve body 3 speed auto with 5000 RPM stall converter was a real hoot on the street banging gears
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
I'd replace the seats with racing seats anyway so not too worried about them.Thanks for the compliment on my car. I just figured with a rebuilt title it wouldn't be worth much. Overall, it is a pretty nice car and wouldn't take much to be really nice.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 40
I did the auto-to-manual conversion on my 76, I went with a WC T5 from an 89 Trans Am. I bought a conversion kit from COrvette Central that contained the pedals and clutch linkage sourced the correct belhousing from local CL, flywheel and clutch from Avance Auto. I had the trans rebuilt and upgraded shortened the driveshaft locally. I modified the auto trans mount to cancel the "F-body angle" on the T5, Hurst makes a Blackjack "Hot Rod" shifter just for this type of thing, I cut out the reverse hump in the floor for the original auto shifter and welded up the hole with clearance for the shifter, modified the console plate for the new shifter and boot. I don't care about looking original with this car. All in, I'm at about $2300 fr the swap.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 449
From: Napa, CA
I just received a quote for the C3 kit from Silver Sport for converting my 4speed 73 over to TKX 5 speed. $4,294.01 incl $269 shipping and a $401.68 special SST sale discount that curiously expires in 3 days. I’m sure it’s a great kit but WAY too steep for a car that’s not worth $20k in CA on a good day. I’ll be keeping my tired numbers matching Muncie. Regarding the OPs question, shop for a manual car.
Last edited by 210ken; Aug 16, 2022 at 08:54 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
I started looking for stick shift C3's and found several pretty cheap rubber cars. Then I saw this metal bumper car that is local.
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/re...513889154.html
I'd prefer a metal bumper car and if I'm going to build a road racer anyway, why not get what I really want?
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/re...513889154.html
I'd prefer a metal bumper car and if I'm going to build a road racer anyway, why not get what I really want?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
Each bike is a bit different. This one I built from parts back in 1992.
This one is for carting my dog around with me.
FXSTi
Scrambler for bombing around the dirt roads in my area.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 189
Likes: 54
From: Orange Park, Fl.
I did the auto-to-manual conversion on my 76, I went with a WC T5 from an 89 Trans Am. I bought a conversion kit from COrvette Central that contained the pedals and clutch linkage sourced the correct belhousing from local CL, flywheel and clutch from Avance Auto. I had the trans rebuilt and upgraded shortened the driveshaft locally. I modified the auto trans mount to cancel the "F-body angle" on the T5, Hurst makes a Blackjack "Hot Rod" shifter just for this type of thing, I cut out the reverse hump in the floor for the original auto shifter and welded up the hole with clearance for the shifter, modified the console plate for the new shifter and boot. I don't care about looking original with this car. All in, I'm at about $2300 fr the swap.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
those T5 92-older for chebby v8's? you screw the cable onto the speedo cable mount. not electric speedo until next gen of car. way easier than changing the pedals. that is the PITA part. they are all over ebay for around 200 bucks. and whether you do a rod and z-bar T5 or any hyd clutch you need the pedals. and once you have a skinny brake pedal in there and a clutch pedal tucked under the floor mat it is difficult not to proceed. just remember. T5. no side-stepping that clutch pedal...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 265
From: The frozen wastes...
I get it though man. I HAD to buy an automatic... because i couldn't afford a stick. Even stretched my budget all to hell to do it. I wish i'd have waited. I hate autos. I sold a perfectly good big block Mopar road race car because it had an auto...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I despise automatic transmissions in anything, and have never been satisfied with any of them. Especially modern cars / trucks.......because of EPA and gas mileage requirements, the transmission is ALWAYS seeking the lowest RPM, so unnecessary shifting. I am trading in my F150 next week for something far better, mostly because of the automatic transmission. I drive it in the Sport mode ALL the time just to try to prevent the unnecessary shifting.....but in the Sport mode it slams between gears. By 2015 Ford should have been able to build a transmission that works better. If I have my way.....I will never drive an automatic again.
In a C3 Corvette......I would NOT buy or own one with an automatic...unless the plan was to change it before driven. Its a sports car.......shifting is a huge part of the attraction. But I am a car enthusiast, not a museum keeper or parking lot attendant at car shows.
So yes......swapping to a manual is not only worth it, its mandatory.
In a C3 Corvette......I would NOT buy or own one with an automatic...unless the plan was to change it before driven. Its a sports car.......shifting is a huge part of the attraction. But I am a car enthusiast, not a museum keeper or parking lot attendant at car shows.
So yes......swapping to a manual is not only worth it, its mandatory.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 265
From: The frozen wastes...
Well, i'm not that old, but i'm in reasonable risk ov having no knees someday... due to my profession. I'll still find a way. Automatics make Baby Jesus cry.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 189
Likes: 54
From: Orange Park, Fl.
those T5 92-older for chebby v8's? you screw the cable onto the speedo cable mount. not electric speedo until next gen of car. way easier than changing the pedals. that is the PITA part. they are all over ebay for around 200 bucks. and whether you do a rod and z-bar T5 or any hyd clutch you need the pedals. and once you have a skinny brake pedal in there and a clutch pedal tucked under the floor mat it is difficult not to proceed. just remember. T5. no side-stepping that clutch pedal...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
When I installed my T5-WC I was a bit worried that the super tall (0.63) ratio of the 5th would be too much with my 3.08 differential. I even started on the side a new 3.55 diff build.
Now I can drive it I'm not so sure anymore, 1500 rpm at 65mph is super satisfying when to comes to highway trips, and my LS as still enough torque.
Now I can drive it I'm not so sure anymore, 1500 rpm at 65mph is super satisfying when to comes to highway trips, and my LS as still enough torque.
