Auto or speed ?
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Pro
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From: Gambrills Maryland
Auto or speed ?
New C3 owner here. I curently have an auto C5 but I am looking into buying a c3(1968-72) also. Which is the best..the auto tranny or 4 speed? I am not familar with either of these for this year range.
Race Director
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From: Forked River NJ
IMO Vettes should not be built with automatics. But they would not sell a lot that way so they put in automatics. One is not better tha n the other it is a matter or preference. Do you enjoy rowing the gears or letting the car drive itself. There have been a lot of guys who have switched their automatics to sticks, I have done a bunch for forum members myself. Its up to you on what you want. I prefer to row my gears, so much so I installed a 6 speed just to shift more. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Brooklin Ontario
I believe all corvettes should be black with side pipes.
What you prefer is what matters. Mine came with the THM400 option auto. It shifts hard and is very easy to drive. I was looking for a manual, but I'm getting lazy in my old age and really enjoy the auto.
Not great for fuel eco like that Manual 6 speed, but if that was my concern I wouldn't have gotten a 427 Tri-power.
Good luck with the search.
Later, Rog.
What you prefer is what matters. Mine came with the THM400 option auto. It shifts hard and is very easy to drive. I was looking for a manual, but I'm getting lazy in my old age and really enjoy the auto.
Not great for fuel eco like that Manual 6 speed, but if that was my concern I wouldn't have gotten a 427 Tri-power.
Good luck with the search.
Later, Rog.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Orange Park Florida
OP, maybe want fill out your profile a bit...got no clue about your driving area....so in general...
freeway with easy on/off....5+ speed stick is good...
around town, automatic with out overdrive is ok....
combo driving...say 2 miles of traffic lights to the freeway then ten miles to exit and work?? overdrive auto is best....
All this is IMO, and your age group, energy quotient...
freeway with easy on/off....5+ speed stick is good...
around town, automatic with out overdrive is ok....
combo driving...say 2 miles of traffic lights to the freeway then ten miles to exit and work?? overdrive auto is best....
All this is IMO, and your age group, energy quotient...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Automatic
I have 4 C3's. A 4-speed, a 5-speed, an automatic with the TH400, and an automatic with the 700R4.
I LOVE the 5-speed (of course it is a big block car). I really like the 4-speed (it has the Hurst short-throw shifter). I don't like the TH400, because it slips, but it will be the best for drag racing and around-town driving. I do like the 700R4 because of the overdrive.
You just have to decide what you like best for you. I do like the automatics for doing parades and cruising the coast.
The 5-speed was brutal on the Hot Rod Power Tour when I was entering the venues, but the joy of shifting far outweighed the pain of the clutch in traffic.
I LOVE the 5-speed (of course it is a big block car). I really like the 4-speed (it has the Hurst short-throw shifter). I don't like the TH400, because it slips, but it will be the best for drag racing and around-town driving. I do like the 700R4 because of the overdrive.
You just have to decide what you like best for you. I do like the automatics for doing parades and cruising the coast.
The 5-speed was brutal on the Hot Rod Power Tour when I was entering the venues, but the joy of shifting far outweighed the pain of the clutch in traffic.
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Pro
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From: Gambrills Maryland
The car I was looking at just has the stock 3 speed auto that was in a 1971 but it was recently rebuilt. If I wanted to go to a 383 stroker one day could I still use the auto or would I need to go to a manual or a "better" auto tranny?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
IMO Vettes should not be built with automatics. But they would not sell a lot that way so they put in automatics. One is not better tha n the other it is a matter or preference. Do you enjoy rowing the gears or letting the car drive itself. There have been a lot of guys who have switched their automatics to sticks, I have done a bunch for forum members myself. Its up to you on what you want. I prefer to row my gears, so much so I installed a 6 speed just to shift more.
As one who has done a fair amount of road racing, IMCO if you intend on doing much in the way of spirited driving - be it on twisty back-country roads, auto-crossing or road course tracking - you'd be leaving a lot on the table if you don't go with a manual transmission. Converted my shark from an auto to stick, which yielded the bonus of having the removable cross-member frame.
TSW
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From: Forked River NJ
The turbo 400 in that car can handle anything a 383 can give it. the turbo 400 is one of the most robust transmissions out there but it comes at a price. It is also one of the most power hungry. This means it takes quite a bit of HP away from the rear wheels vs a good stick shift car. Again the decision is yours. If you stick with an automatic and nicely built overdrive automatic will be more street friendly. If you decide to go to a stick car the 4 speed is nice but the advantages of an overdrive 5 or 6 speed are even nicer. The 5 speed fit very well the 6 speed is a little more work to get in there.
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Le Mans Master
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
I agree with Gordon however let me add my 2 cents. As others have said, its all preference as far as choice of transmission goes. Automatics do steal some horsepower compared to manuals but if you're thinking of a 383 or larger, then you will have plenty of torque for street driving. Autos are also easier on the drivetrain so less parts breaking. Also with the larger engine, you can have street gears that don't require an overdrive on the highway because of the added torque from the added cubic inches.
If you don't have a car already in mind, you may want to consider a car that already has the stroker engine as you may save money compared to the cost of buying the car then pulling the engine and having the expense of building the engine. That being said, buying a car already built, I would have a reputable mechanic look at it so you don't end up buying a problem car that is going to cost you an arm and a leg to drive and enjoy, that too may save you some $. You are looking at 30-40 year old cars so be aware that some things could be worn out, unless it was owned by a fanatic
If you don't have a car already in mind, you may want to consider a car that already has the stroker engine as you may save money compared to the cost of buying the car then pulling the engine and having the expense of building the engine. That being said, buying a car already built, I would have a reputable mechanic look at it so you don't end up buying a problem car that is going to cost you an arm and a leg to drive and enjoy, that too may save you some $. You are looking at 30-40 year old cars so be aware that some things could be worn out, unless it was owned by a fanatic
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
I believe that Corvettes should be appointed with all the equipment the owner wants on the d@mn car...regardless of what anybody else thinks. If you really enjoy shifting the transmission, by all means, get one with a manual box. If you don't like the 'bother' of shifting all the time, get an automatic.
Except for the '82 model year, C3's only had 3-speed [non-overdrive] automatic transmissions. They were THM-400's ('68-74), TMH-350's ('75-81), and the THM-700-R4 in '82 (w/lockup and overdrive). Without the overdrive, engine rpm's will run around 3000 at highway speeds; it's noisy, hot, works the engine a lot more than is necessary, and gets poor fuel mileage (15 mpg, maybe). If you want an automatic, see if you can find a car you like that has already installed a more modern tranny with lockup and overdrive (200-R, 700-R4, 4L60E, or 4L80E). The three-speed trannies are OK and quite functional; but the newer models are much more efficient and "friendly".
The same goes for the manual transmission, re the overdrive. A C3 with a 5-speed tranny is much more pleasant than a 4-speed when you run on the highway.
Except for the '82 model year, C3's only had 3-speed [non-overdrive] automatic transmissions. They were THM-400's ('68-74), TMH-350's ('75-81), and the THM-700-R4 in '82 (w/lockup and overdrive). Without the overdrive, engine rpm's will run around 3000 at highway speeds; it's noisy, hot, works the engine a lot more than is necessary, and gets poor fuel mileage (15 mpg, maybe). If you want an automatic, see if you can find a car you like that has already installed a more modern tranny with lockup and overdrive (200-R, 700-R4, 4L60E, or 4L80E). The three-speed trannies are OK and quite functional; but the newer models are much more efficient and "friendly".
The same goes for the manual transmission, re the overdrive. A C3 with a 5-speed tranny is much more pleasant than a 4-speed when you run on the highway.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jun 16, 2010 at 10:33 PM.
Advanced
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From: New Jersey
I can answer this question but I need a little more info. Do you prefer driving cars with automatic transmissions or do you prefer driving cars with manual transmissions?
Le Mans Master
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
...even when they're so completely wrong.
Hey, just messing with you...
Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
No problem. Needed to get my '2 cents' in. The poster asked a legitimate question about the pros/cons of manuals and automatics in Corvettes...and he got shot down for even bringing up the topic of "automatics". I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me.... 
I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Orange Park Florida
No problem. Needed to get my '2 cents' in. The poster asked a legitimate question about the pros/cons of manuals and automatics in Corvettes...and he got shot down for even bringing up the topic of "automatics". I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me....
I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me.... 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
No problem. Needed to get my '2 cents' in. The poster asked a legitimate question about the pros/cons of manuals and automatics in Corvettes...and he got shot down for even bringing up the topic of "automatics". I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me....
I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me.... Everyone who said "OMFG all vettes should be manual!" essentially said "but that's my opinion, and here's why".
My 78 Corvette is an auto, and every car I own aside from it is a stick-shift. The 78 was a gift 10 years ago. I bought everything else.
If you learn how to drive a stick-shift well, the "pain" can be minimized. That being said, this is a 30-40 year old car we're talking about. I don't think "daily driving" should be considered part of the equation in most cases. It still all falls on personal preference and intended application, of course. Plenty of guys with C6Zs installing automatics to get consistent dragsters.
Race Director
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From: Forked River NJ
No problem. Needed to get my '2 cents' in. The poster asked a legitimate question about the pros/cons of manuals and automatics in Corvettes...and he got shot down for even bringing up the topic of "automatics". I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me....
I just think it's rude as he!! to give that kind of response to a potential C3 owner. But....that's just me....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Gambrills Maryland
Thanx for all of the inputs. I like driving a stick but I coould have "lived" with an auto. It turns out that found and bought a 1968 with a 383 stroker and the 4 speed including side header pipes etc. It also has a 4.11 rear so it wont be my everyday high gas mileage car!
