Auto to Manual Conversion???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Auto to Manual Conversion???
Considering a 5 speed manual conversion on a numbers matching small block vert. Looking for more fun, may even lower it and change the wheels and tires.
Will this hurt the value or enhance it by going to a more modern resto mod set up???
Will this hurt the value or enhance it by going to a more modern resto mod set up???
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
So you need to decide what is more important- Upgrading the car to make it more enjoyable for you and disregard the resale value or keep it as is and buy another non-matching car and not worry about it?
Another option is to make sure you keep all the original parts and don't alter the car to where the changes aren't reversible so you can sell the car with all the original bits and maintain it's value.
Just my .02
Elm
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
I have a 69 L46 that is original and struggle with the same issue. In hindsight I probably should have bought a 69 with a NOM and a 5 speed. Made the decision to enjoy my car the way it is and not devalue it and one day will possibly sell it and go for a restomod.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 669
Likes: 80
From: NE USA
It will hurt the value, no question
A real nice #'s matching steel bumber vert is near the top of the C3 value scale. A real nice one? If it were mine? I'd have to leave it as is.
However I have always felt these cars were ment to be modified. I kept all the origional parts and that way, in theory, I could put it back as it was. It is the only way to get the value back out of the car.
Maybe you should find someone with a 400+hp C3 with a 5sp in it. Trade them for an afternoon
(or at least have them give you a ride). If it appeals to you. Find a modified one, or one to modify. The rubber bumper cars are great values for platform to modify.
A real nice #'s matching steel bumber vert is near the top of the C3 value scale. A real nice one? If it were mine? I'd have to leave it as is.
However I have always felt these cars were ment to be modified. I kept all the origional parts and that way, in theory, I could put it back as it was. It is the only way to get the value back out of the car.
Maybe you should find someone with a 400+hp C3 with a 5sp in it. Trade them for an afternoon
(or at least have them give you a ride). If it appeals to you. Find a modified one, or one to modify. The rubber bumper cars are great values for platform to modify.
Last edited by C3w4sp; Feb 2, 2012 at 11:45 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
If you keep all the original stuff, then I don't think it would hurt its value, during that kind of conversion, nothing in the car will be permenantly changed, so you or the new buyer can easily go back to stock form and no one will ever know what once happened to this car. If you want 5 sp., do it, its MUCH more fun to drive than the boring TH400.
BTW, I just did the same to my car and it wasn't that hard, I did it alone on my driveway :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...cs-inside.html
BTW, I just did the same to my car and it wasn't that hard, I did it alone on my driveway :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...cs-inside.html
Last edited by HamadUP; Feb 3, 2012 at 03:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
One advantage of the auto cars is the removable cross member. Trans install is much easier.
Car is a CA car documented 4th owner, but it is a non original color, trans is non orignal. Engine is the original block but modified to a 383 with alum heads, roller cam, alum intake, no headers though! I have everythig from the air cleaner, CA Quadrajet, iron heads, iron intake, crank, cam, . pistons and rods that were all original and numbers correct
I feel a slightly enhanced car is more fun to drive and more desirable at the end of the day. Done tastefully and properly. If this was a correct BB car, we would not be having this discussion!!
Keep the comments coming, thanks
Car is a CA car documented 4th owner, but it is a non original color, trans is non orignal. Engine is the original block but modified to a 383 with alum heads, roller cam, alum intake, no headers though! I have everythig from the air cleaner, CA Quadrajet, iron heads, iron intake, crank, cam, . pistons and rods that were all original and numbers correct
I feel a slightly enhanced car is more fun to drive and more desirable at the end of the day. Done tastefully and properly. If this was a correct BB car, we would not be having this discussion!!
Keep the comments coming, thanks
Last edited by mbeeman350; Feb 3, 2012 at 07:37 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
I have always been about originality. Don't want to sell this car, super clean frame, no hit body from CA, etc.
Plan was to build a BB, 5 speed car from a nom or no motor car. Can't justify maintaining 2 cars.
But after seeing the depressed values of Vettes at the recent Kissimmee Mecum Auction. Can't see how a slighly modded car could loose any more value.
Shoulld have bought a first gen Camaro lol
Plan was to build a BB, 5 speed car from a nom or no motor car. Can't justify maintaining 2 cars.
But after seeing the depressed values of Vettes at the recent Kissimmee Mecum Auction. Can't see how a slighly modded car could loose any more value.
Shoulld have bought a first gen Camaro lol
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
One advantage of the auto cars is the removable cross member. Trans install is much easier.
Car is a CA car documented 4th owner, but it is a non original color, trans is non orignal. Engine is the original block but modified to a 383 with alum heads, roller cam, alum intake, no headers though! I have everythig from the air cleaner, CA Quadrajet, iron heads, iron intake, crank, cam, . pistons and rods that were all original and numbers correct
I feel a slightly enhanced car is more fun to drive and more desirable at the end of the day. Done tastefully and properly. If this was a correct BB car, we would not be having this discussion!!
Keep the comments coming, thanks
Car is a CA car documented 4th owner, but it is a non original color, trans is non orignal. Engine is the original block but modified to a 383 with alum heads, roller cam, alum intake, no headers though! I have everythig from the air cleaner, CA Quadrajet, iron heads, iron intake, crank, cam, . pistons and rods that were all original and numbers correct
I feel a slightly enhanced car is more fun to drive and more desirable at the end of the day. Done tastefully and properly. If this was a correct BB car, we would not be having this discussion!!
Keep the comments coming, thanks
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
It is a bolt in conversion, easily reversible, but I can't the same for the stupid grin that will be all over your face when you drive it!
Just keep all the original parts if it worries you.
JUST DO IT!!!
I did it last year, I can't believe I waited so long to do it!!
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
I have eveything that has been taken off this car, from the motor, suspension, radio etc. I even have the 40 yr old original top that was replaced by Al Knoch 3 yrs ago!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Given it's not exactly numbers matching when it comes right down to it, IMHO properly done the swap may well add value back to it, especially in grins per mile you'll enjoy. IMHO converting my '78 SA from auto to manual transformed it from a sporty car into a sportscar. You can always go back if you do it right. Go for it!
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Feb 3, 2012 at 06:44 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 669
Likes: 80
From: NE USA
I took your post as if your ride was one of them NCRS, top flight kinda deals.
The 5 sp mod is bad to the bone, it launches like it has a 4.50 rear gear and at 80 the engine is spinnin right around 2000. Very long legged!
The 5 sp mod is bad to the bone, it launches like it has a 4.50 rear gear and at 80 the engine is spinnin right around 2000. Very long legged!
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Was just reading about the Tremec install and I was surprised to see that it was an easier install from an automatic car as compared to an existing 4 speed. Anyone here do an install on a 4 speed? Does the engine have to come out? Is it truly easily reversible should I decide one day to sell the car and want it original? Really starting to think about doing this. Thanks
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
Have to disagree with some of this sacred originality stuff. Have any of you looked at what some of the modified Vetts (LS1 engines etc) have been selling for at BJ or Mecum auctions recently? In a lot of cases, more than the vanilla original car would of sold for. And besides, if you are only worried about what your car would sell for, perhaps you didn't buy it in the first place to enjoy. Remember, you are only the current owner. If you do modify, make it YOUR car, not what someone else thinks it should be.
I have a 71, 270HP automatic that I put a 5 speed in and also midyear side mounts. Feels like I added 100HP and would not go back for anything. C4, C5 and C6 corvettes may be fine with automatics but C1, C2 and C3's got to have three pedals on the floor. Doesn't look bad with that INCORRECT exhaust either. Maybe a little thumper cam this year!!!
I have a 71, 270HP automatic that I put a 5 speed in and also midyear side mounts. Feels like I added 100HP and would not go back for anything. C4, C5 and C6 corvettes may be fine with automatics but C1, C2 and C3's got to have three pedals on the floor. Doesn't look bad with that INCORRECT exhaust either. Maybe a little thumper cam this year!!!