Manual vs Automatic Transmission
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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you do realize all the 1/4 mile racers use automatics or an air shifter for a clutchless manual shifter
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
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From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
Le Mans Master
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1978Ray
Anyway, if you want more info about converting to an automatic just ask. Don't worry about the noise concerning Manuals --- it's typical here. It's your car and you can do whatever you want with it.
Anyway, if you want more info about converting to an automatic just ask. Don't worry about the noise concerning Manuals --- it's typical here. It's your car and you can do whatever you want with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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I agree. I'd rather drive my car than merely be a passenger. As far as the OP's question, I am always on the look for 4-Speed cars to buy. I pass over dozens of automatics in my search. You will do well to sell the 4-speed car and buy a cheaper automatic. Just my $ .02.
Melting Slicks
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From: Rural North West NV
I'd still trade my automatic C3 to the OP for her stick shift car though.
Drifting
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From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
I will admit I prefer driving my 6 speed manual C5 Z06 (as well as my other stick shift cars) but I have to ask, what kind of automatics do you have? I have several vehicles with auto trans and everyone of them still require that I look out in front of me and steer, brake, accelerate, etc. I've never felt like a passenger in any of them.
I'd still trade my automatic C3 to the OP for her stick shift car though.
I'd still trade my automatic C3 to the OP for her stick shift car though.
Drifting
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From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Opinion from Hagerty: https://insider.hagerty.com/trends/m...c0aad1da96cf0a
And then, of course: The Manual Gearbox Preservation Society - https://tmgps.org/
And then, of course: The Manual Gearbox Preservation Society - https://tmgps.org/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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I will admit I prefer driving my 6 speed manual C5 Z06 (as well as my other stick shift cars) but I have to ask, what kind of automatics do you have? I have several vehicles with auto trans and everyone of them still require that I look out in front of me and steer, brake, accelerate, etc. I've never felt like a passenger in any of them.
I'd still trade my automatic C3 to the OP for her stick shift car though.
I'd still trade my automatic C3 to the OP for her stick shift car though.
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Drifting
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From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
Race Director
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From: Virginia
I wonder if we'll ever hear back from the OP.
Unless the car in question is special or unique in some way, the OP would likely be thousands ahead by selling the 4-speed and buying a comparable automatic. That said, my wife's 79 is very special to her, and we've looked at upgrading the existing auto to overdrive.
The big hurdle is that most good* automatics are electronic, and will require some type of controller. The 78 will also need the crossmember cut and made removable. All of this is seems solvable, there are 4L60e transmissions in plenty of C3s. Silver Sport Transmission also makes a complete kit based on the 4L60e.
https://shiftsst.com/blog/post/1968-...ectfit-kit.htm
*Note: there are no "good" automatics. Sports cars have manual transmissions. If the issue is just the heavy clutch, that can be fixed in several ways while retaining the existing 4-speed, or an even better 5 or 6-speed manual.
@1978Ray, good luck with your car!
Unless the car in question is special or unique in some way, the OP would likely be thousands ahead by selling the 4-speed and buying a comparable automatic. That said, my wife's 79 is very special to her, and we've looked at upgrading the existing auto to overdrive.
The big hurdle is that most good* automatics are electronic, and will require some type of controller. The 78 will also need the crossmember cut and made removable. All of this is seems solvable, there are 4L60e transmissions in plenty of C3s. Silver Sport Transmission also makes a complete kit based on the 4L60e.
https://shiftsst.com/blog/post/1968-...ectfit-kit.htm
*Note: there are no "good" automatics. Sports cars have manual transmissions. If the issue is just the heavy clutch, that can be fixed in several ways while retaining the existing 4-speed, or an even better 5 or 6-speed manual.
@1978Ray, good luck with your car!
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Hmmm?
Well, I've owned many Corvettes both with automatic transmissions and standard transmissions, and you know which one is my favorite?
Whichever one I happen to own at the time.
They're ALL good. There's no such thing as a "bad" Corvette, it's just that some are better than others.
Oh, and when I go to sell them, the automatics sell just as quickly as the 4 speeds.
Well, I've owned many Corvettes both with automatic transmissions and standard transmissions, and you know which one is my favorite?
Whichever one I happen to own at the time.
They're ALL good. There's no such thing as a "bad" Corvette, it's just that some are better than others.
Oh, and when I go to sell them, the automatics sell just as quickly as the 4 speeds.
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Drifting
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I think that if you retain the manual transmission parts when it comes time to sell you will hold the resale value of the car with the additional parts that go with the car . Most of us on here don’t seem to mind tinkering with our cars anyway so what’s a weekend tranny swap back worth?
Myself I wanted an automatic Vette and YES I have a foot operated manual shifted 4 speed drag race car
I look at the stick cars since they weren’t popular new in 1978 according to the numbers posted earlier is either it was bought for racing duty or by owner that was dreaming about being Johnny race car driver someday and drives around town like he is while the rest ordered automatic. In 1978 I would have been in the racing car category with a 4 speed , nowadays I’m like the “rest of the people “
Myself I wanted an automatic Vette and YES I have a foot operated manual shifted 4 speed drag race car
I look at the stick cars since they weren’t popular new in 1978 according to the numbers posted earlier is either it was bought for racing duty or by owner that was dreaming about being Johnny race car driver someday and drives around town like he is while the rest ordered automatic. In 1978 I would have been in the racing car category with a 4 speed , nowadays I’m like the “rest of the people “
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
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As others have stated, it would be a false economy to do this to a rare-optioned vehicle like that. I would understand auto to stick conversion, but no way the other way around. That would be a huge mistake.
As you have seen, there are folks here that would gladly trade you their auto for your manual - they are quite rare in these years.
As long as there is no sentimental attachment to your Vette, then consider selling it and get an auto with the proceeds, and with some extra cash in your pocket to boot!
The manuals are just more valuable than autos, no matter how you slice it. I'd say at least a 25% premium, like for like (mileage, condition, etc).
Last edited by Corvette-ZL1; Oct 5, 2022 at 04:46 PM.
