Auto to manual conversion

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Apr 8, 2006 | 03:53 PM

Mllrvette1968

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From: N.J.

Auto to manual conversion

I am restoring a 68, it has an automatic trans, but I want to put in a m22. I need a new frame, so I was thinking of just buying a manual frame for the conversion. What else is involved, besides pedal box? Thanks!

Apr 8, 2006 | 06:55 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

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Originally Posted by Mllrvette1968

A automatic frame is more desirable because it has a removable crossmember. It makes removal and installation of a transmission so much easier.
I would stick with the automatic frame.

Apr 8, 2006 | 07:00 PM

Mllrvette1968

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From: N.J.

Thanks, would I be able to still convert the auto to manual if I still had the auto crossmember? Is there a aftermarket bracket that could be in place to make to the conversion on the crossmember?

Apr 8, 2006 | 07:42 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mllrvette1968

Thanks, would I be able to still convert the auto to manual if I still had the auto crossmember? Is there a aftermarket bracket that could be in place to make to the conversion on the crossmember?

I don't know, I have done 4 or 5 conversions and I always just make a bracket and weld it on the front of the removable crossmember.
It is far easier to do the swap when the crossmember comes out. A fixed crossmember makes a swap really difficult or expensive.
The automatic frame is more desirable.

Apr 8, 2006 | 08:10 PM

Mllrvette1968

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From: N.J.

Thanks alot!, Is the bracket that you weld on similar to the the original manual frame's bracket? And how easy is it to convert to manual?

Apr 8, 2006 | 08:33 PM

corvettecris

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From: Charlotte NC

Quote:

Thanks alot!, Is the bracket that you weld on similar to the the original manual frame's bracket? And how easy is it to convert to manual?

The bracket is very similar to the original. I actually just modified a 4 speed bracket to fit my TKO 5 speed. As far as I know, the auto crossmember is exactly like the manual one, except not welded on.

Trust me, do a search. There are lots of threads that have detailed info on this. I put a TKO 5 speed in a 68. It wasn't very difficult to do, it just took some time and research. So far on this forum, I have seen people people putting 4 speeds, T-5s, TKOs, Richmonds, T-56s, and maybe a couple of others in C3 vettes.

Last edited by corvettecris; Apr 8, 2006 at 08:36 PM.

Apr 8, 2006 | 09:41 PM

Mllrvette1968

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From: N.J.

Thankyou very much

Apr 9, 2006 | 11:36 AM

birdsmith

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From: Japan

It's good

Just finished my M21 swap last weekend(Mine's a '70 350). I began researching the project back in mid-January and finished 2 1/2 months later. The scariest parts of the job were welding the brackets onto the frame and crossmember and putting the driver's side dash back together- otherwise the car looks and drives exactly like a four-speed Vette should which is to say about 6000 times more fun than an automatic. I bought the trans,bellhousing,starter head, Z Bar, pedal hanger, trans mount, flywheel, and slip yoke from ebay and the shifter from Summit.The rest of the parts (shifter boots, clips, rods, swivels,starter bolts,etc.) came from Zip. All told was about $1800-HAVE FUN!!