Z-Bar
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Z-Bar
This may have been asked before, when swapping tranny to a 4 speed what and where is the infamous Z-Bar connected to? Pics appreciated. I have a helm corvette shop manual but is no where indicated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
yes. get the bolt on frame bracket. set the pedals, engine stud and the push rod in place. then position the z-bar so that the pedal push rod lines up with the firewall hole. the z -bar will come off the engine in a more or less perpendicular line. that will show you where the bracket has to be positioned.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Is the Z-bar an actual part for stock manual tranny vettes or is this something that's needed when doing a swap?
Also, are there existing holes for the pedals? How about the manual shifter's place?
Also, are there existing holes for the pedals? How about the manual shifter's place?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
You swap out the auto pedals for manual pedals. Check out Keisler Trans web site. They make a kit to swap out an auto to manual. This will answer a lot of your questions. I would also call them, great guys.
I beleive when you swap from auto to manual the factory opening for the shifter (Auto) will have to be enlarged. Do a search plenty of guys have swapped out auto to manuals
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
Here's some pics of my '76. The holes for the pedals (and clutch rod) were already there.... they have a firewall "plug" on them..
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...20to%20Manual/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I believe 80 & 81 already have the holes drilled in the frame for the Z-Bar bracket. Here is the bracket you will need -> http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...CD040A78D92C7C
I used this on my 78 when I converted from auto to manual.
John
I used this on my 78 when I converted from auto to manual.
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Do yourself a favor, before you install the 4-speed, get a Hurst Comp+ shifter. Or, install the 4-speed with the stock shifter, and after you experience the "positive shifting" of the stock unit, buy the Hurst and spend a bit of time installing it with the transmission in the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
if you go with the standard corvette shifter, the opening in the tunnel will have to be made smaller. get the lower shift boot and center it on the shift lever, and you will see where you have to add glass. not a big job.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Here's some pics of my '76. The holes for the pedals (and clutch rod) were already there.... they have a firewall "plug" on them..
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...20to%20Manual/
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...20to%20Manual/
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
I just posted a couple more pics that show the Auto Shifter and then it replaced with the Manual Shifter. You will be able to see the hole that I had to cut (yep, my Auto '76 has the steel compartment so it had to be cut!!). I think I just cut the recessed area wher the Auto shifter fit. You can do a search for this on the Forum and I think guys have the exact measurements..
Good Luck - It actually isn't that bad!!
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...20to%20Manual/
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
I just posted a couple more pics that show the Auto Shifter and then it replaced with the Manual Shifter. You will be able to see the hole that I had to cut (yep, my Auto '76 has the steel compartment so it had to be cut!!). I think I just cut the recessed area wher the Auto shifter fit. You can do a search for this on the Forum and I think guys have the exact measurements..
Good Luck - It actually isn't that bad!!
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...20to%20Manual/
Good Luck - It actually isn't that bad!!
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...20to%20Manual/
Do you think the swap can be done in one day? Reason is, my friend who works at a shop is willing to assist and use the hoist but only on Sundays and the car has to be out same day.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
I believe 80 & 81 already have the holes drilled in the frame for the Z-Bar bracket. Here is the bracket you will need -> http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...CD040A78D92C7C
I used this on my 78 when I converted from auto to manual.
John
I used this on my 78 when I converted from auto to manual.
John
Is this a dealer item? I just want to be able to get it same day and zip is no where near where I am.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
