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Question
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Personally, a 4 speed C3 is the only way to go regardless of the engine...a C3 automatic is a very different feeling car than the 4 speed. I have driven L-48's with an auto and 4 speed and L-82's with an auto and the autos feel like a different car than the 4 speeds, especially the L-82's...
Last edited by jb78L-82; Oct 11, 2017 at 06:23 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 231
Likes: 15
Personally, a 4 speed C3 is the only way to go regardless of the engine...a C3 automatic is a very different feeling car than the 4 speed. I have driven L-48's with an auto and 4 speed and L-82's with an auto and the autos feel like a different car than the 4 speeds, especially the L-82's...
They are rarer, more fun and I believe more desirable.
The only reason I got my '78 when I was shopping around was because it was a 4 speed.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,948
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
Would I? Probably not. I already have an '80 with a 4-speed. 
But I made sure that's what I got when I was in the market for one.
4-speeds are rare in 80-81, and only came behind L-48 engines stock. If you are going the 383 route anyway, you'd either have to modify your L-48, or swap in a crate engine, or buy a car that someone has already done that to.
Get the nicest, most rust-free car you can afford that runs, and enjoy driving it. My 4-speed '80 is a VERY different experience than my wife's '79 auto, though both have L-48 engines.
But I made sure that's what I got when I was in the market for one.
4-speeds are rare in 80-81, and only came behind L-48 engines stock. If you are going the 383 route anyway, you'd either have to modify your L-48, or swap in a crate engine, or buy a car that someone has already done that to.
Get the nicest, most rust-free car you can afford that runs, and enjoy driving it. My 4-speed '80 is a VERY different experience than my wife's '79 auto, though both have L-48 engines.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 20
From: Raleigh NC
Another vote for the 700R4.
Already got my Mad Dog stage 2 sitting beside my '80. I really wanted a 383 but when I tore my (what I thought was a 5.0 California) engine down I found out it's an early 70's 350 4 bolt main so I'm building it.
Already got my Mad Dog stage 2 sitting beside my '80. I really wanted a 383 but when I tore my (what I thought was a 5.0 California) engine down I found out it's an early 70's 350 4 bolt main so I'm building it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,399
Likes: 8,204
From: Napa Valley California
I drove sticks for many years, on the open road and stop and go traffic. Stick was always fun. I've aged and plan to keep my corvette many years and will keep my auto trans.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
This forum is full of guys converting their automatics to manuals. Not many converting manuals to automatic. That should tell you something. Bottom line though...buy what you like. Its YOUR car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Lets look at modern cars today. Most super cars are now auto's. That should tell you something.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Yeah it does. It tells me the computer can shift faster than I can. That's not news. If that's what's important to us, we should all embrace the concept of driverless cars. Three pedals are more fun!
