Auto to Manual
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
Auto to Manual
Many before have asked, and I couldn't find all the details I needed, so here goes.
I have a 78 with a 3 speed in it. It was rebuilt 5k miles ago before I bought it. I bought the car at a steal, and everything else about it is great.
I want to change it to a manual; not for performance, though I like the thought of better mileage. Short drives only, <10 miles a day.
Pretty much I just like shifting gears and need some advice on how to make this happen, in the cheapest possible way without making the job impossibly difficult. I'll be doing the labor too, and any heads-up would be great. Opinions on 4 vs 5 speed are needed, as well as a general guess as to how much this will cost me. In high school and don't want to spend more money on the trany than the car lol
Thanks for the help
I know this is a lot of work and a major undertaking, I plan to take it slow I just don't want to do anything in the realm of fabrication or welding things on
I have a 78 with a 3 speed in it. It was rebuilt 5k miles ago before I bought it. I bought the car at a steal, and everything else about it is great.
I want to change it to a manual; not for performance, though I like the thought of better mileage. Short drives only, <10 miles a day.
Pretty much I just like shifting gears and need some advice on how to make this happen, in the cheapest possible way without making the job impossibly difficult. I'll be doing the labor too, and any heads-up would be great. Opinions on 4 vs 5 speed are needed, as well as a general guess as to how much this will cost me. In high school and don't want to spend more money on the trany than the car lol
Thanks for the help
I know this is a lot of work and a major undertaking, I plan to take it slow I just don't want to do anything in the realm of fabrication or welding things on
Last edited by IronMaiden; Apr 11, 2013 at 10:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 90
From: Sacramento California
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
www.keislerauto.com offers changeover kits. Run about $4k.
You can often find a speed with the complete changeover parts from anther car for about $1500.
You can also go the IROC 5 speed route if you want to do more work.
Def go for a 5 speed. Its worth it.
You can often find a speed with the complete changeover parts from anther car for about $1500.
You can also go the IROC 5 speed route if you want to do more work.
Def go for a 5 speed. Its worth it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
1) You mean like, find 4 speed from another vette and stick it in there? Would it just be a matter of buying converter parts like the pedals and such?
2) Didn't think a (80s camaro?) trany would work- though I see em on craigslist for about 300$ regularly. Not sure how that works- like above, just converter parts or actual fabrication? I can't seem to find anything about that
Thanks for the reply guys!
If it's possible i'd rather just buy the cheaper converter to get it in there, but I wouldn't want to make the job impossibly difficult
Last edited by IronMaiden; Apr 11, 2013 at 09:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
Putting a T5 from the iroc seems like a great idea! Thanks, will now begin assembling up my parts.... im guessing a new clutch, clutch linkage, clutch pedal, and probably a lot more inc a new driveshaft
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I'm planning the same swap for my '79. Its been a long time since I was in high school so I have a few more resources and I'm planning a 5 spd. Still, I started by making a list of the parts I would need about a year ago. Since then I have been picking away at the list, shopping for bargains, keeping my eye on Ebay, etc. I have most of what I need. All that's left is the transmission itself. I'm replacig a 700R4 4 spd automatic, so I really need to go to a 5 spd to keep the fuel mileage I already have. Since you are running a 3 spd automatic, you could swap in a 4 spd and it wouldn't make any difference to your mileage. You could swap in a 5 spd later when funds permit. You could pick up a 4 spd a lot cheaper than the 5 spd.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
I'm planning the same swap for my '79. Its been a long time since I was in high school so I have a few more resources and I'm planning a 5 spd. Still, I started by making a list of the parts I would need about a year ago. Since then I have been picking away at the list, shopping for bargains, keeping my eye on Ebay, etc. I have most of what I need. All that's left is the transmission itself. I'm replacig a 700R4 4 spd automatic, so I really need to go to a 5 spd to keep the fuel mileage I already have. Since you are running a 3 spd automatic, you could swap in a 4 spd and it wouldn't make any difference to your mileage. You could swap in a 5 spd later when funds permit. You could pick up a 4 spd a lot cheaper than the 5 spd.
I'll keep thinking about this and considering all these great ideas! No rush
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
wise choice is anything with overdrive, no point of going thru the hassle of changing trannies to end up with the same 1:1 for a street car. Thats not only millage, but cruzing speed, top speed, noise, wear on the engine etc....
But if you don't care about millage and such, why not install a shift kit for a fraction of the price and see how you like changing gears... especially since the tranny was rebuild. You can always swap it later if the mod doesn't satisfy you
But if you don't care about millage and such, why not install a shift kit for a fraction of the price and see how you like changing gears... especially since the tranny was rebuild. You can always swap it later if the mod doesn't satisfy you
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
wise choice is anything with overdrive, no point of going thru the hassle of changing trannies to end up with the same 1:1 for a street car. Thats not only millage, but cruzing speed, top speed, noise, wear on the engine etc....
But if you don't care about millage and such, why not install a shift kit for a fraction of the price and see how you like changing gears... especially since the tranny was rebuild. You can always swap it later if the mod doesn't satisfy you
But if you don't care about millage and such, why not install a shift kit for a fraction of the price and see how you like changing gears... especially since the tranny was rebuild. You can always swap it later if the mod doesn't satisfy you
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
My 77 vette was an auto I changed to the WC t-5 5 speed trans out of a 89 Camaro and it works great. I had put 1 in a prior vette and fell in love with it. For the $$ you cant go wrong. Also, I have to put in a plug for my pedal assembly in the C3 parts forum 
which is the least fun part on the swap. But worth it when finished ! Good luck.
which is the least fun part on the swap. But worth it when finished ! Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
Just google TH350 full manual valve body, prices are upwards of two hundred bucks so its well worth a try before you spit out a couple grand for a full swap with cross-member mods etc:
http://www.tciauto.com/tc/th350-full...e-braking.html
I like forward action more than reverse
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
the stock **** would work fine, I do not have a recommendation on the manual valve body as the one I have in the car works fine- so I have no experience with others.
Just google TH350 full manual valve body, prices are upwards of two hundred bucks so its well worth a try before you spit out a couple grand for a full swap with cross-member mods etc:
http://www.tciauto.com/tc/th350-full...e-braking.html
I like forward action more than reverse
Just google TH350 full manual valve body, prices are upwards of two hundred bucks so its well worth a try before you spit out a couple grand for a full swap with cross-member mods etc:
http://www.tciauto.com/tc/th350-full...e-braking.html
I like forward action more than reverse
without a manual shift kit, is it pointless to try shifting manually? Just curious, I did that for about a block or two a while back and it was terrible
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I learn something with every reply... always thought the shift kit was a ratchet shift lol. If I give up on this manual endeavor, I'll look at change out the valve body.
without a manual shift kit, is it pointless to try shifting manually? Just curious, I did that for about a block or two a while back and it was terrible
without a manual shift kit, is it pointless to try shifting manually? Just curious, I did that for about a block or two a while back and it was terrible
Nice to see another C3 owner so close.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
I learn something with every reply... always thought the shift kit was a ratchet shift lol. If I give up on this manual endeavor, I'll look at change out the valve body.
without a manual shift kit, is it pointless to try shifting manually? Just curious, I did that for about a block or two a while back and it was terrible
without a manual shift kit, is it pointless to try shifting manually? Just curious, I did that for about a block or two a while back and it was terrible
Not sure how you shifted manually your automatic (downshift maybe...), modern cars have the H pattern shifier where you can move the **** to the left and shift up and down manually for engine breaking and second gear start. but how you did that with the corvette I don't know.
If you never driven one of these manual valve body automatics: the shifter **** position 1 is your first, position 2 is your second and position D is third. Than neutral and the rest as before. So you get in the car, start engine, move the **** to 1 and go, than shift whenever you want to second, than to third... for the price of 200bucks you got a clutch-less manual of sort
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Unless you drive very much on the highway, there's really nothing wrong with a 1:1 top gear manual box, as long as you don't have an excessively deep (high ratio) ring & pinion out back. And, FYI, a good rule of thumb here is to try and aim for ~10:1 in 1st (1st gear x diff gear), give or take 1. Don't skip the research before committing if quick shifts are on your wishlist, as not all boxes or clutch setups facilitate them (nor do heavier flywheels). Also, in that case, I suggest you skip the stock PoS shifter and go for the Hurst Comp Plus.
If you're looking to become a more accomplished driver with more involvement in and control over your driving experience, and drag racing isn't your thing, you're a great candidate for a manual gear box. No, it wasn't cheap, but converting my shark from auto to manual was one of the two best mods I ever made (the other was BB'ing it). Save up, pick the swap which best suits your needs, do it right, and I'd bet you'll never regret doing the swap. JMHO
If you're looking to become a more accomplished driver with more involvement in and control over your driving experience, and drag racing isn't your thing, you're a great candidate for a manual gear box. No, it wasn't cheap, but converting my shark from auto to manual was one of the two best mods I ever made (the other was BB'ing it). Save up, pick the swap which best suits your needs, do it right, and I'd bet you'll never regret doing the swap. JMHO
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Apr 12, 2013 at 11:51 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Last edited by Shark Racer; Apr 13, 2013 at 11:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fremont CA
Thanks a lot for all this great advice guys 
I think I'll keep my car for a while, and decide whether or not I want to sell it for a four speed or mod it to a 4/5 speed.
Leaning rather fiercely to the conversion hey a learning experience is priceless! Plus, my first car.. it's rather sentimental. And it was a steal.
I think I'll keep my car for a while, and decide whether or not I want to sell it for a four speed or mod it to a 4/5 speed.
Leaning rather fiercely to the conversion
hey a learning experience is priceless! Plus, my first car.. it's rather sentimental. And it was a steal.