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I'm into my C3 for pretty cheap and would like to build it into a sort of resto mod / '70s road racer look. Big flares, hot rodded engine, wide tires, etc. Of course, it should have a manual trans (5 or 6 speed) but is an automatic now.
Wondering of those of you that have actually done the conversion, what was your total cost and was it worth it? My car is an okay car, rust free CA car, that is a good driver but could use some TLC. It has a rebuilt title so worth maybe $5K to (in today's crazy market) $6K. It is a '79 (with '80 nose and rear bumper) with 53K miles, L48, has p/w, pdl, is an a/c car (but missing compressor), so has options that I want in a C3. I think it is a good base in which to build what I want.
I know it would be a lot easier to just sell it and look for a stick shift car but I'd want to convert a stick car to a 5 or 6 speed anyway so I'd still have to spend money on a new trans. On the other hand, I'll be using this car for messing around in the local mountains or other shorter drives so maybe a 4 speed would be okay and I wouldn't need the overdrive.
Last edited by ChiliPepperGarage; Aug 15, 2022 at 04:28 PM.
I have just completed a TKX install myself from Silversport. True that the base price of trans is $2800, but Silversport charges another $500 for the offset shifter base which includes machining the case. Offset shifter allows installing using the the original shifter hole in the tunnel.
You could install the base TKX but would have to open up a larger hole in the tunnel for the shifter base and then fab an offset shifter handle. For a T5 install, you have to do this also.
If it's worth the investment or not is entirely up to you.
Fun factor way higher with the manual.
Being an Auto car it will have a removable crossmember. Making putting in a 5 or 6 speed easier. Also as an auto car the rear gear ratio is likely tall. So unless you also want to change rear gears a 5 or 6 speed makes more sense.
Lots of threads on here over the years on putting in overdrive transmissions. I would do some research. Google search seems to work better than forum search.
I originally wanted an auto. I was even looking into the stick to auto swap before the car was delivered. Until I drove it! A sports car is not a sports car without a stick, WAY more fun to drive. My only regret when I had my engine/trans out is that I didn't go back with overdrive.
First look at Silver Sport Transmission then call their customer service reps and open a conversation.
Their kits include everything and there is nothing to look for and nothing left to buy.
I purchased my complete conversion kit from them and the only thing I upgraded was the driveshaft.
There are several different 5 and 6 speed transmissions to choose from all with different 1st and 5th or 6th gear ratios to choose from and several hp and torque levels as well.
You can set your gear ratios depending on the transmission that works best for you.
Silver Sport also has an annual sale at the end of the year so you can save some big bucks by waiting.
But you need to ask yourself a few questions and be aware of the following:
Have you driven enough manual transmission cars to appreciate and understand the pure joy of shifting gears yourself.
Is your car a keeper? Are you really happy with this car and will still have it 5-10 years from now.
Can you do the job yourself, or will you be paying someone. A DIY T5 conversion can be done for under $1000, or you can pay $7k to have a T56 installed.
Does it bother you if it doesn't increase the value of your car one dollar.
Forget about a 4 speed, you MUST get an overdriven 5 or 6 speed.
If you're seriously going for the restomod look, I'd really advise against messing up a perfectly nice car. You'd be money ahead selling your car and buying a modified project with the flares and stick already in it. They're worth less than a clean original stocker.
Are there any state emmisions / inspection regulations that you'd be violating by modifying your '79?
But it's your car, do what you want, be happy, and try and have no regrets.
I converted my 70 Torino 351C 4 bbl from automatic to manual, it was a night and day difference. With the automatic the car couldn't spin the rear tires and was painfully sluggish up to about 25 or 30 mph or so and then it would come on real strong. Once the 4 speed was in (even with the original 3.00 to 1 rear gears) the car could smoke the tires easily and even with the clutch out and travelling a steady 10 mph with it in first if I nailed the gas the tires would start spinning and smoking. It was just a completely different car with the manual transmission and a world more fun.
But you need to ask yourself a few questions and be aware of the following:
Have you driven enough manual transmission cars to appreciate and understand the pure joy of shifting gears yourself.
Is your car a keeper? Are you really happy with this car and will still have it 5-10 years from now.
Can you do the job yourself, or will you be paying someone. A DIY T5 conversion can be done for under $1000, or you can pay $7k to have a T56 installed.
Does it bother you if it doesn't increase the value of your car one dollar.
Forget about a 4 speed, you MUST get an overdriven 5 or 6 speed.
If you're seriously going for the restomod look, I'd really advise against messing up a perfectly nice car. You'd be money ahead selling your car and buying a modified project with the flares and stick already in it. They're worth less than a clean original stocker.
Are there any state emmisions / inspection regulations that you'd be violating by modifying your '79?
But it's your car, do what you want, be happy, and try and have no regrets.
I have driven hundreds of stick shift cars. I currently own a C5 Z06, a C5 convertible M6, a '63.5 Z code 390 4 speed Galaxie, a '79 Blazer 4 speed, 1990 Ford F150 4x4 with a 4 speed, and am putting a 4 speed behind the 392 Hemi in my '34 Ford 3 window coupe. I also own 3 Harley's and a '76 Yamaha Scrambler. Oh yeah, and a diesel Kabota tractor manual shift.
I'll be doing the conversion myself. I don't know how long I'll keep the car but when I no longer want it (or can't drive anymore) I'll give it to my nephew (I have no kids).
No emissions where I live. My car isn't worth a whole lot so I have no problem modifying it. Not worried about resale value at all. I know I'd rather have a 5/6 speed as both of the C5's I have are great to drive but I don't think I'll ever take this car on a long trip. It's going to be strictly for tearing around and going for short blasts so a 4 speed will probably be just fine.
I'm in the middle of such a conversion on a 78. Fixing other things that need attention so will be awhile before road testing. I'll try to remember this thread and report back.
I converted my 70 Torino 351C 4 bbl from automatic to manual, it was a night and day difference. With the automatic the car couldn't spin the rear tires and was painfully sluggish up to about 25 or 30 mph or so and then it would come on real strong. Once the 4 speed was in (even with the original 3.00 to 1 rear gears) the car could smoke the tires easily and even with the clutch out and travelling a steady 10 mph with it in first if I nailed the gas the tires would start spinning and smoking. It was just a completely different car with the manual transmission and a world more fun.
The car has a shift kit in the trans now so it shifts pretty hard but I agree, just so much more fun with a stick. Nothing more fun than banging gears and gettin' rubber!
You've obviously been around the block a few times. Judging by the cars you have you aren't living on Pork N Beans and Ramen Noodles. So I can't for the life of me, understand why you would settle for anything less than an overdrive. A non OD does NOTHING better than a STRONG overdrive that's geared right. The kids you leave the car to will thank you for it! Spend the $ once love the car forever!
I haven't done the conversion, but I did buy a second C3 just to have one with a manual. I can comfortably say that the 4-speed 80 is about a million times more fun to drive than my wife's 79 auto.
I've gotten quotes from SST to convert the 80 to a 6-speed Tremec Magnum. I'm hoping I can convince my wife to manual swap her 79, too.
the non-world class (82 to 85) are essentially the same as the later ones as far as the torque they can handle. so i have been told by people that build them.
i love the custom interior. he customized it by rubbing his big *** on the seat until the guts started showing through. and your 79 is no 5 or 6k POS. too pretty.
I have driven hundreds of stick shift cars. I currently own a C5 Z06, a C5 convertible M6, a '63.5 Z code 390 4 speed Galaxie, a '79 Blazer 4 speed, 1990 Ford F150 4x4 with a 4 speed, and am putting a 4 speed behind the 392 Hemi in my '34 Ford 3 window coupe. I also own 3 Harley's and a '76 Yamaha Scrambler. Oh yeah, and a diesel Kabota tractor manual shift.
I thought of converting mine from auto to manual but didn't and I am glad. Having one fun car without three pedals is nice if you ever blow out your left knee.
Manual Trans Conversion - Worth It?
