Auto to Manual Cheap HOW?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge La
Auto to Manual Cheap HOW?
My poor 75 Vette Coupe has been terribly neglected but I am nearly finished building my house and ready to finally start the long delayed body off restoration. My plan right now is to buy a new 290hp Crate engine and ditch the Turbo 400 for a manual. I would love to be able to afford buying one of those neat American Powertrain or Kiesler kits but that isn't in the cards money wise. Is there a way to get to a reliable 4 or 5 speed transmission without spending more than 1,500?
Considering buying a used T5 WC and seeing if I can baby it long enough to save up enough to replace down the road with a Richmond or TKO.
Considering buying a used T5 WC and seeing if I can baby it long enough to save up enough to replace down the road with a Richmond or TKO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
$1500 is about what it will take to get all the parts you need, if you look hard enough. There are people in the parts for sale section that have some/all the parts you need. Like this man here :http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...ion-parts.html
I bought a conversion kit from him (about 80% complete) then gathered the remaining parts from vendors here also.
Go to the parts for sale section (C3) and ask for the parts. They are out there. Make $$$ offers if the price seems too high .
And get the assembly and shop manuals for your C3. They are worth every penny !
I bought a conversion kit from him (about 80% complete) then gathered the remaining parts from vendors here also.
Go to the parts for sale section (C3) and ask for the parts. They are out there. Make $$$ offers if the price seems too high .
And get the assembly and shop manuals for your C3. They are worth every penny !
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I bought a used T56 6 speed, and the rest of the parts I needed to swap my 4 speed manual out and the T56 in, including installing a hydraulic clutch. Cost was about $2300 for everything. Sold my 4 speed, Hurst shifter, and clutch linkages for $800 which helped bring the cost down. I gave a fellow vette owner a good deal, plus he bought a bunch of other parts off of me, so I think it brought the cost down for me closer to $1100 after selling some of the other parts I had sitting around too, and I still have more parts to sell to help fun some more projects. I had to do a couple of modifications to install it, nothing too difficult, it was worth it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
If your a SERIOUS BUYER here is everything you need, take the 4spd conversion and sell off the rest...I don`t have the heart to cut it up.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/4009621475.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/4009621475.html
Last edited by redvetracr; Aug 18, 2013 at 06:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge La
Thanks for the responses
I bought a used T56 6 speed, and the rest of the parts I needed to swap my 4 speed manual out and the T56 in, including installing a hydraulic clutch. Cost was about $2300 for everything. Sold my 4 speed, Hurst shifter, and clutch linkages for $800 which helped bring the cost down. I gave a fellow vette owner a good deal, plus he bought a bunch of other parts off of me, so I think it brought the cost down for me closer to $1100 after selling some of the other parts I had sitting around too, and I still have more parts to sell to help fun some more projects. I had to do a couple of modifications to install it, nothing too difficult, it was worth it.
Seems like making the conversion while I have the body off is the way to go as all of the interior will be out of the car. Steering column needs major repairs...seems like it would be dumb to have the body off and interior out and not make the switch to manual now even if cash is low.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
I'm in the middle of a body off and am doing the same thing. I've gathered the pedals, z-bar, ball studs, and rods so far (bought all together). Still need a bellhousing and clutch fork. Probably going to do a TKO 600, but have been considering the T56.
...kicking myself for missing a TKO 600 with the driveshaft, etc. (full kit) from Keisler with almost no miles (guy decided to go a different route). It was on racingjunk for $2000 in the last week or two
...kicking myself for missing a TKO 600 with the driveshaft, etc. (full kit) from Keisler with almost no miles (guy decided to go a different route). It was on racingjunk for $2000 in the last week or two
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
I bought a used T56 6 speed, and the rest of the parts I needed to swap my 4 speed manual out and the T56 in, including installing a hydraulic clutch. Cost was about $2300 for everything. Sold my 4 speed, Hurst shifter, and clutch linkages for $800 which helped bring the cost down. I gave a fellow vette owner a good deal, plus he bought a bunch of other parts off of me, so I think it brought the cost down for me closer to $1100 after selling some of the other parts I had sitting around too, and I still have more parts to sell to help fun some more projects. I had to do a couple of modifications to install it, nothing too difficult, it was worth it.
Last edited by donnie1956; Aug 19, 2013 at 08:02 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
$1500 should be enough to get you to a stock 4spd. Like others said keep looking in the 4 sale section, thats what I did. Found a guy on here selling the entire set up out of an 80. I jumped at it and did the conversion in my '81. Best money I ever spent on the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 109
From: Las Vegas NV
there's a super t-10 on ebay right now with no bids at $500...$650 buy it now
item 321186205369
I'm interested in seeing what a super t-10 in good shape goes for, i want to upgrade my super t-10 to a 5 or 6 speed sometime in the next year or two and will put my old unit up for sale
item 321186205369
I'm interested in seeing what a super t-10 in good shape goes for, i want to upgrade my super t-10 to a 5 or 6 speed sometime in the next year or two and will put my old unit up for sale
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
broken WC T5 for 200$ (from an '90s Iroc Z Camaro)
GForce reinforced case : 350$
Rebuild kit for the T5 + broken gears : 250$
Good deal on a lakewood scattershield : 100$
Clutch setup : 200$
pedal set : 75$
Z-bar+cluch linkage : 50$
Chinese Short throw shifter 35$ (upped to Hurst-like quality with little effort).
Custom Cross member support : beer money.
Grand total : 1260$ for a brand new stronger-than-stock T5.
Of course, I did the rebuilt myselft, with the help of a rebuild video,waited a couple of months to get all the part a bargain price and made good use of my machinist buddy.
GForce reinforced case : 350$
Rebuild kit for the T5 + broken gears : 250$
Good deal on a lakewood scattershield : 100$
Clutch setup : 200$
pedal set : 75$
Z-bar+cluch linkage : 50$
Chinese Short throw shifter 35$ (upped to Hurst-like quality with little effort).
Custom Cross member support : beer money.
Grand total : 1260$ for a brand new stronger-than-stock T5.
Of course, I did the rebuilt myselft, with the help of a rebuild video,waited a couple of months to get all the part a bargain price and made good use of my machinist buddy.
Last edited by Denpo; Aug 19, 2013 at 03:05 PM. Reason: details
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge La
Yes I remember reading about how you did that and was using it as my model. Not quite ready to lift the body but am close will have a bunch of questions later.
Thanks to all the responses so far.
Wondering if my wife remembers us walking home from between Baton Rouge and New Orleans well enough to ok a T-56 hehe. Wouldn't want to break down again!
Thanks to all the responses so far.
Wondering if my wife remembers us walking home from between Baton Rouge and New Orleans well enough to ok a T-56 hehe. Wouldn't want to break down again!
broken WC T5 for 200$ (from an '90s Iroc Z Camaro)
GForce reinforced case : 350$
Rebuild kit for the T5 + broken gears : 250$
Good deal on a lakewood scattershield : 100$
Clutch setup : 200$
pedal set : 75$
Z-bar+cluch linkage : 50$
Chinese Short throw shifter 35$ (upped to Hurst-like quality with little effort).
Custom Cross member support : beer money.
Grand total : 1260$ for a brand new stronger-than-stock T5.
Of course, I did the rebuilt myselft, with the help of a rebuild video,waited a couple of months to get all the part a bargain price and made good use of my machinist buddy.
GForce reinforced case : 350$
Rebuild kit for the T5 + broken gears : 250$
Good deal on a lakewood scattershield : 100$
Clutch setup : 200$
pedal set : 75$
Z-bar+cluch linkage : 50$
Chinese Short throw shifter 35$ (upped to Hurst-like quality with little effort).
Custom Cross member support : beer money.
Grand total : 1260$ for a brand new stronger-than-stock T5.
Of course, I did the rebuilt myselft, with the help of a rebuild video,waited a couple of months to get all the part a bargain price and made good use of my machinist buddy.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Yes I remember reading about how you did that and was using it as my model. Not quite ready to lift the body but am close will have a bunch of questions later.
Thanks to all the responses so far.
Wondering if my wife remembers us walking home from between Baton Rouge and New Orleans well enough to ok a T-56 hehe. Wouldn't want to break down again!
Thanks to all the responses so far.
Wondering if my wife remembers us walking home from between Baton Rouge and New Orleans well enough to ok a T-56 hehe. Wouldn't want to break down again!
I want to make the swap from my 2004R to a T56. Nothing wrong with the tranny but its an automatic and 6 speed will have much more fun with the LS. I currently run 1900 RPM at 70 mph with my 3:08 rear end. Going to need a few more parts since I don't have clutch. Seems like hydralic is the way to go. The search for parts is on.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
If you're a serious buyer, here is everything you need. Take the 4 speed conversion and sell off the rest. I don't have the heart to cut it up.http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/4009621475.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
Seems the T56 tranny is getting rare in this area. I have few months before I plan on swapping. Going to spend the rest of this season putting some miles on the LS. Planning on Tranny swap and paint for this winters projects.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN