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I have a 1978 C3 with a 4 speed manual transmission that I want to change over to an automatic transmission…mainly because I’ll feel more comfortable driving it that way. Does anyone have any insight on possible complications that may arise from this?
Hey Chrissy,
Being as less than 18% of 1978 Corvettes came with a 4 speed, this would make your car pretty desirable among those seeking a '78. There are literally thousands of '78's with automatic transmissions. So why don't you consider selling your (rarer) car and buying one that already has the equipment installed that you desire? You'll probably come out $$$ ahead in the end.
Cheers, Greg
Hey Chrissy,
Being as less than 18% of 1978 Corvettes came with a 4 speed, this would make your car pretty desirable among those seeking a '78. There are literally thousands of '78's with automatic transmissions. So why don't you consider selling your (rarer) car and buying one that already has the equipment installed that you desire? You'll probably come out $$$ ahead in the end.
Cheers, Greg
To get the auto in there you are going to have to cut the crossmember. $ speed cars had a fixed crossmember due to the size of the trans. It can be removed and installed with the fixed cross member. The automatic cars had a removable crossmember because te trans is bigger. You can’t get an automatic tartans in a 4 speed frame unless the cross member is cut or you have the body off. Plus the 4 speed cars as said above are more desirable.
Bottom line. Yes it can be done. Yes it will be expensive. 4 Speed cars are worth on average 2K more than a simular Auto car. So...... You will spend a TON of money to devalue your car.
Sell it and buy the cheaper Automatic car!
Manual transmission is not for everyone. Maybe she's young and in-experienced. Maybe she inherited the car. Crissy, I suggest you practice somewhere where there is not much traffic, you may find it's a lot of fun driving a manual trans car.
Agreed, practice and learn to DRIVE. you will find driving a car is much, much more fun than simply riding in one.
There is a reason the manual cars command thousands more than Automatic cars.
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REAL CARS DON'T SHIFT THEMSELVES!
And if you were to sell & buy an 'automatic' vette, you could consider going to an 82 which has OD and fuel injection too.
How much have you driven it around? Maybe the issue is familiarity ...need more time behind the wheel. Most people prefer the manual. Maybe given more time to get familiar with the shifting you will too (??).
1978Ray
Actually quite easy. I swapped my Richmond 6 speed to a 200-4R this year. Hardest part would be modifying the crossmember (I think the 78 Manual crossmember was welded in). I had already cut mine to put in the 6 Speed..
I actually left my clutch pedal installed in case I want to swap back for fun, or I break the automatic. I really like my new automatic.
There are a couple of threads on this forum. Do a search and you'll find them. If you cannot find them say so and I'll link them.
Other than the crossmember you can buy just about everything to bolt one in....only some minor fabrication and tweaking.
My Vette seems pretty real to me and I never miss a shift!
It may seem real to you. But riding around in an Automatic is nothing like driving a car.
It's not real to me. And I'm not alone. Manuals command a higher price because they are favored over the girls car.
Manual vs Automatic Transmission
