Auto to Manual Trany Conversion Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Auto to Manual Trany Conversion Question
I am about fed up with auto transmissions. My new 4 speed lock-up TC doesn't want to lock up any more and the new tany in my wifes car is having problems......again. Besides the cross member mods and drive shaft changes how difficult is it to convert an auto car over to standard? I would think the clutch pedal installation would be a problem.
Thanks
Thanks
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Greenville SC
Keisler Engineering in Knoxville is a reliable company and they sell Vette kits that include everything - to include the pedals, shifter, clutch, bellhousing, console plate, linkage and driveshaft. They make conversion kits for a variety of cars - Ford, Mopar, many GM's and Jaguars.
The have a good website that gives lots of info.
Many here have used their products.
Their kits aren't cheap, but it is one stop shopping and you know that all the components fit together - and they either double or triple the TREMEC factory warranty on the Trans. No rebuilt components - all new.
Supposedly Keisler's Vette kit can be installed without removing the engine.
I have seen pictures and recommendations to use the Bowtie Overdrive's crossmember made for the 700r4 and that makes the install easier and gives you a little more exhaust room (you may find that on this forum).
http://www.keislerauto.com
Mike
The have a good website that gives lots of info.
Many here have used their products.
Their kits aren't cheap, but it is one stop shopping and you know that all the components fit together - and they either double or triple the TREMEC factory warranty on the Trans. No rebuilt components - all new.
Supposedly Keisler's Vette kit can be installed without removing the engine.
I have seen pictures and recommendations to use the Bowtie Overdrive's crossmember made for the 700r4 and that makes the install easier and gives you a little more exhaust room (you may find that on this forum).
http://www.keislerauto.com
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by Bikerdoc
Keisler Engineering in Knoxville is a reliable company and they sell Vette kits that include everything - to include the pedals, shifter, clutch, bellhousing, console plate, linkage and driveshaft. They make conversion kits for a variety of cars - Ford, Mopar, many GM's and Jaguars.
The have a good website that gives lots of info.
Many here have used their products.
Their kits aren't cheap, but it is one stop shopping and you know that all the components fit together - and they either double or triple the TREMEC factory warranty on the Trans. No rebuilt components - all new.
Supposedly Keisler's Vette kit can be installed without removing the engine.
I have seen pictures and recommendations to use the Bowtie Overdrive's crossmember made for the 700r4 and that makes the install easier and gives you a little more exhaust room (you may find that on this forum).
http://www.keislerauto.com
Mike
The have a good website that gives lots of info.
Many here have used their products.
Their kits aren't cheap, but it is one stop shopping and you know that all the components fit together - and they either double or triple the TREMEC factory warranty on the Trans. No rebuilt components - all new.
Supposedly Keisler's Vette kit can be installed without removing the engine.
I have seen pictures and recommendations to use the Bowtie Overdrive's crossmember made for the 700r4 and that makes the install easier and gives you a little more exhaust room (you may find that on this forum).
http://www.keislerauto.com
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
I'm going through this myself. I don't think it's difficult, especially if you have one of the kits. I'm doing it by gathering the needed parts, one by one. I can probably make you a list if needed.
Your crossmember needs no changes. The crossmember to tranny bracket different. Having an auto crossmember is a plus,..will make clutch changes easier I'm told.
You'll need to weld a Z-bar bracket to the frame under the brake master,..or use the later bracket (late 70's) which bolts on. I can show where it should go (I have another factory 4-speed car, which is making the swap easy).
Other than that, it's a parts gathering excercise,..though the dash has to taken apart to do the pedals,..but hell, it's a Corvette,..nothing is easy.
Stay in touch with me.
Wes
Your crossmember needs no changes. The crossmember to tranny bracket different. Having an auto crossmember is a plus,..will make clutch changes easier I'm told.
You'll need to weld a Z-bar bracket to the frame under the brake master,..or use the later bracket (late 70's) which bolts on. I can show where it should go (I have another factory 4-speed car, which is making the swap easy).
Other than that, it's a parts gathering excercise,..though the dash has to taken apart to do the pedals,..but hell, it's a Corvette,..nothing is easy.
Stay in touch with me.
Wes
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Oct 31, 2006 at 04:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I have had the engine and trany in and out of the car several times, rebuilt the rear differentail and all suspension components myself.............I took the dash pad off and busted it into three pieces and my family learned several new four letter word combinations while I put the new one in. If those darn pedals can be installed with the dash inplace, I will figure it out. If removing the dash is required, that could be potentail deal breaker for me. Been there, done that, NEVER want to go back.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by KJL
I have had the engine and trany in and out of the car several times, rebuilt the rear differentail and all suspension components myself.............I took the dash pad off and busted it into three pieces and my family learned several new four letter word combinations while I put the new one in. If those darn pedals can be installed with the dash inplace, I will figure it out. If removing the dash is required, that could be potentail deal breaker for me. Been there, done that, NEVER want to go back.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Sure would be nice if they could come down on the price...4800 for the 5 speed. I have 2 turbo 400's and one 200R4 along with a pair of Dart Pro1 and Edelbrock RPM heads I could sell but I still think I will come up short about 1000.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by KJL
I have had the engine and trany in and out of the car several times, rebuilt the rear differentail and all suspension components myself.............I took the dash pad off and busted it into three pieces and my family learned several new four letter word combinations while I put the new one in. If those darn pedals can be installed with the dash inplace, I will figure it out. If removing the dash is required, that could be potentail deal breaker for me. Been there, done that, NEVER want to go back.
My auto - Keisler 5 speed. Search back a couple of months and there was a post (not mine) with a nice write up and pictures. I did make a comment in it though.
In my 79 it was just pull out the steering colume, speedo and tach box, Of course the brake power booster and tie off the master against the fender.
Figuring out the directions and pile of parts was the tough part. I could whip out a second installation really easy. Crossmember fab was some man hours. You would be smarter to just buy a tube crossmember for a 700R4 from BowtieOD. Then it's perfect match for a TKO 600
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by slowup
i just had this done to my car. The biggest P.I.T.A. is switching out the pedals. I think you have to weld the z - bar to the frame to.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
No welding needed.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Originally Posted by Binnie77
If you are going from an auto to a manual you do have to weld the bracket on the frame for the 'Z' shaft unless you go the hydraulic clutch route.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
My TKO-600 Auto - Manual conversion kit just showed up today from UPS. I went with the hydraulic clutch to avoid welding the zbar to the frame among other reasons. Keisler will work with you to put together the kit that best suites your needs. Definitely a one stop shop and keeps you from having to piece together a kit yourself.
For an auto to manual conversion they include the bracket needed to install the 5-speed using your existing cross member, or in the case of the 80-82 models, they include an all new cross member which is what I got. It looks pretty nice.
So far as the group purchase, if you search the archives you can see what has been offered in the past. It looked like a drawn out process to get a group purchase going. I think they were pretty reasonable if you just call them directly and see what kind of pricing they will offer you as a forum member without a group purchase.
For an auto to manual conversion they include the bracket needed to install the 5-speed using your existing cross member, or in the case of the 80-82 models, they include an all new cross member which is what I got. It looks pretty nice.
So far as the group purchase, if you search the archives you can see what has been offered in the past. It looked like a drawn out process to get a group purchase going. I think they were pretty reasonable if you just call them directly and see what kind of pricing they will offer you as a forum member without a group purchase.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by ShinodaVette
So far as the group purchase, if you search the archives you can see what has been offered in the past. It looked like a drawn out process to get a group purchase going. I think they were pretty reasonable if you just call them directly and see what kind of pricing they will offer you as a forum member without a group purchase.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Let me know iif they are flexable. If they could get the price down to 4000.00 I would seriously consider it. Also, check out the archives, there are some interesting threads regarding the installation of the kit. It would seem that there is more to it than I thought. The folks in the threads appear to be seasoned wrench turners which makes their observations and experience well worth the read. The kit is deffinately not a "bolt and go" kit. One person said if he had it to do over, he would have pulled the engine and installed as a unit. Another said in hindsite he would have gladly paid the 500 bucks to have it installed. This is a major project not without pitfalls especialy if you are converting from auto to manual.