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I know personal preference is the deciding factor between the two but which one is less trouble? The only manual cars I have had had the internal rail shifting mechanism and a hydraulic clutch. Is the external shift linkage on the C3s a problem? How about the non-hydraulic clutch?
If you buy a car with the manual already in it, you shouldn't have to worry too much about the linkage. If there is a problem, you should be able to have it adjusted to correct it.
And yes it becomes personal preferance as to which type of tranny you like best. People that road race perfer a manual. Many people that drag race perfer an auto for the faster shifting. On the street it's up to you ;) .
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I know personal preference is the deciding factor between the two but which one is less trouble? The only manual cars I have had had the internal rail shifting mechanism and a hydraulic clutch. Is the external shift linkage on the C3s a problem? How about the non-hydraulic clutch?
Well,you better have a strong left leg,if your sitting in traffic a long time,its kinda "heavy".The linkage has no known problems what i know off anyway.
A sportcar always have manual tranmission :cheers:
Runnin`the rat with man tranny is fun,really fun.Never driven a SB,but i can guess its really great too.. :cool:
IMHO man trans are better for performance period. And as to shifting I tend to prefer a shifter with external shift linkage than a internal rail shifting mechanism, externals are normally smother than center rail. As to hydraulic clutch, yes its the best, it can have a shorter pedal travel, with alot less efort.
Paul :cheers:
What are you doing with the car? Daily driver? Stop n go traffic? A great car that your "significant other" can use sometimes or just for nights out? The four speed cars are not bad at all. My idea is to have one of each :yesnod: . The bride shot that down....all it took was the "Stare" :mad .
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: Auto vs. manual (Brettmc)
Personal preference is the key.
30 years ago I preferred a stick and loved the feeling of having my brain pressed firmly in the back of my skull.
Now I get dizzy if I turn my head too quickly (probably related to my stick years) and my knees crack so loud they can be heard over the sweet sound of my corvette's exhaust. :lol:
I'm an old cruiser now and prefer an automatic. :cool:
As for which is less trouble... well, thats relative... which ever one you don't have is always less trouble. :yesnod:
C3's had a variety of different transmission. Some better than others. StocK GM linkage for the manual trans cars is not that great but Hurst replacements can fix that. In the late seventies the automatics switched from TH400's which were very TOUGH, to TH350's which are OK unless you are putting a lot of power to it.. The one (the only trans) available in 82 was a new 700R4 which was calibrated poorly and created drivability/reliability problems. The trans shifted into overdrive very early creating a "lugged" condition. There are chips to fix that if it still has the original trans. The manual trans cars do have a stiff clutch. Manual or standard trans cars are about the same for price. Like others say it is personal preference. A swap over isn't as easy on corvettes as it is on some other cars tough.
I always love it when this question comes up. Some people get so defensive when you express a strong opinion for either transmission. It is good to see that the responses so far are for the most part "politically correct"!!
10 years ago I would have said: "It is a crime to have anything but a manual transmission in a Corvette", or "I guess GM had to put the automatic in the Corvette for the women drivers". But I know now that that kind of thinking is shallow and immature! :p:
Now that I am older and more open minded I recognize that the automatic transmission does have its value! Why do you think that all mini vans come equipped that way!!! :reddevil
I drove my vet for about 10 years with various automatics and finally made the switch to standard 2 years ago. After blowing up 3 700-R4's and 4 torque convertors I switched to a T5 and then a Tremec. I used a hydraulic clutch from a 85 one ton truck and it bolted right in.
I love the stick and wished that I had made the switch 12 years ago. The hydraulic clutch is very light with the high performance 11 inch centerforce pressure plate.
It also feels more like a sports car, frees up alot of extra horsepower and it should get improved gas mileage. Also if you run a wild cam the idle stays cleaner in heavy traffic. Also the wife can never say " let me drive".
I personally prefer automatic. Here's my *thoughts*:
With a stick, you'll go a little faster, feel more like a sports get, maybe get better fuel milage. However, it's a pain in stop and go driving (IMO). No cupholders, try stop-and-go driving while holding a slurpee. It's a pain. I prefer auto just for that fact. It's easier. Call me lazy. =)