c3 frame swap help
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
c3 frame swap help
i’ve just traded for a 1980 L82 auto corvette, and after getting what work i can get done on it i’m narrowing down to the last few things and need a bit of help from anyone… i did a bad thing, and got the worst rust bucket thing i could find the body is in pretty good shape other than a few scrapes and small cracks. my frame is totally rusted out almost half of the frame is gone on one side… but.. i bought a 1980 manual corvette with a great frame on it i’d like to put my automatic body on the manual frame and put my automatic trans into the manual frame will i have any issues putting an automatic body on a manual frame with an automatic motor in it? i have an auto crossmembers i can swap out if i would need to
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 585
From: Anaheim Hills California
You can swap it out but a 1980 with a standard has more rarity and value than an automatic. You will have to change flywheel, cross member and the front yoke on the drive shaft. You'll also have to change the pedals , etcetera
Posting pictures with a small description of what you wanna do will help fellow members give you better advice.
Posting pictures with a small description of what you wanna do will help fellow members give you better advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,512
Likes: 1,946
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Welcome to the forum. Before you start switching frames, do a thorough inspection of the birdcage on the body you wish to keep. Replacing a frame is a walk in the park compared to replacing the birdcage. Jerry
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 574
From: Wisconsin
That birdcage and floor needs some serious work from what I can see. It's your car, but I would consider parting this one out and finding something better.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,895
Likes: 4,472
From: Virginia
What does the 4-speed car look like?
While I don't want to discourage you from fixing your white on red 80 (the best color combination), the 4-speed is much more rare. Is it driveable and restorable? Only 13% of 80s came that way from the factory. In an apples to apples comparison, I've found that a C3 4-speed is about a million times more fun to drive than an automatic.
It's also possible to cut your losses, sell these two, and find one car that meets your needs. One rust-free, running car is worth more than two cut-up rusty project piles.
(That's a white on red 80 4-speed in my avatar).
While I don't want to discourage you from fixing your white on red 80 (the best color combination), the 4-speed is much more rare. Is it driveable and restorable? Only 13% of 80s came that way from the factory. In an apples to apples comparison, I've found that a C3 4-speed is about a million times more fun to drive than an automatic.
It's also possible to cut your losses, sell these two, and find one car that meets your needs. One rust-free, running car is worth more than two cut-up rusty project piles.
(That's a white on red 80 4-speed in my avatar).