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For '68, the 427 was available in single carb 390 hp, "tri-power" (six-pack is more commonly a Chrysler/Mopar term) in 400 hp and 435 hp, and 500+hp as the single carb L-88. The 390 and 400 are identical engines with different carb setups; the 390 is an awesome engine.
Thanks a lot for your input. Others have said that 390 HP motor is tough and can take conversions like this. Would you agree?
How many miles on the car? Anything wrong with the current transmission? I'd be inclined to leave a good running BB Vette with a stout Turbo 400 alone and enjoy it as is. Nothing wrong with slamming the auto down into first and winding the 427 up into the therapeutic RPM range. Maybe install a nice shift kit eventually but if it ain't broke don't fix it. Other option is to sell it and pick up a Vette or muscle car with a manual trans as original equipment if the urge to row the gears is that strong.
How many miles on the car? Anything wrong with the current transmission? I'd be inclined to leave a good running BB Vette with a stout Turbo 400 alone and enjoy it as is. Nothing wrong with slamming the auto down into first and winding the 427 up into the therapeutic RPM range. Maybe install a nice shift kit eventually but if it ain't broke don't fix it. Other option is to sell it and pick up a Vette or muscle car with a manual trans as original equipment if the urge to row the gears is that strong.
The car has 68,200 miles and from what I know, the transmission is original. There is nothing wrong with it as far as I know per se, but like 4-Vettes said, it's a bloody automatic. It just doesn't seem to fit the rest of the car. My dad's other vettes were manuals, am surprised he never changed this himself. Thanks for your response though, I'm mulling it all over.
To add, those wheels are not original either. The were never that wide on 68's, but also a very popular change many people make, and if you like them, they do look just like the originals, just wider. I believe 68's were 15x7, where 69 on they were 15x8. Back to the trans, I'd also throw a vote in for an SST TKX 5 speed if you have the funds. I just put one in my 79 and I love it. I will add that people may suggest you upgrade to a hydraulic clutch, and I would say there's no need. The McCleod clutch kit they supply is every bit as light pedal pressure as a hydraulic clutch. Also I am very impressed with the supplied shifter. I tell everyone, that thing is slick! Yours being an automatic will make the installation of the actual transmission easier, because your transmission crossmember is removeable. On manual transmission cars, they are not removable (although many people cut them and make them removeable.) You mention having someone do the installation for you, so for that I'd ask SST for the name of a recommended shop nearest to you. Good luck with whatever your decide, and as others have said, sorry to hear of your dad passing, mind did recently too, but he left you a SWEET car! I love it!
Thank you, and I really appreciate the excellent advice. I am sorry to hear about your dad passing. I am still in the deciding phase of whether I going to do this or not. I have decided that if I do it, I will go with SST. They have great reviews and everyone recommends them so I have gotten a hold of them. You say you installed yours yourself? How involved was it, scale of 1-10, and how long did it take you?
In reply to the above. Yes something is terribly wrong with the existing transmission! It's a Bloody automatic! Great in the wife's station wagon!
I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I drove manual trans cars and trucks and big trucks (10+speeds) all my life. I'm done with shifting. I want to relax and cruise. I do want to swap to an overdrive 4-spd auto in my '79 for freeway mileage. But I'm all about chill in my retirement years, especially if you consider 500 hp 383 strokers and peeling tires chill.
I have another perspective about value too. I do not consider resale value even remotely important to me. I was warned, chastised, even ridiculed somewhat, in these very forums for buying and updating a '79, the highest selling model year, because it's the least rare, and therefor has the lowest resale value. In my mind, it's one of the better model years for C3 Corvettes for a number of very valid reasons (alas, not the L82 engine). Sadly, mine has a damaged paint job that I'm struggling with finding a solution to. I'd love to refinish it myself, by my garage is too small to paint a car in.
To the OP, yeah condolences. Your dad was my age. But lucky you! Enjoy that car however you like. It's a beauty.
I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I drove manual trans cars and trucks and big trucks (10+speeds) all my life. I'm done with shifting. I want to relax and cruise. I do want to swap to an overdrive 4-spd auto in my '79 for freeway mileage. But I'm all about chill in my retirement years, especially if you consider 500 hp 383 strokers and peeling tires chill.
I have another perspective about value too. I do not consider resale value even remotely important to me. I was warned, chastised, even ridiculed somewhat, in these very forums for buying and updating a '79, the highest selling model year, because it's the least rare, and therefor has the lowest resale value. In my mind, it's one of the better model years for C3 Corvettes for a number of very valid reasons (alas, not the L82 engine). Sadly, mine has a damaged paint job that I'm struggling with finding a solution to. I'd love to refinish it myself, by my garage is too small to paint a car in.
To the OP, yeah condolences. Your dad was my age. But lucky you! Enjoy that car however you like. It's a beauty.
Yep let the fun begin - trouble is you are new to the hobby and have a lot of choices and decisions to make - not so much fun.
My advice would be to keep it simple - don't get to carried away with people trying to live their dreams through you.
I don't think you need a 6 speed - you have a torque motor - it will pull pretty well no matter what gear it's in.
Find out what ratio your rear end is and that will decide what tranny you need. If you have a highway rear end ratio 2.73 , 3.08 a nice wide ratio 4 spd (Super T10 or Autogear Muncie) will work okay.
If you have a low rear end ratio 3.55 , 3.70 etc then a 5 speed giving an overdrive top gear will be nice.
Don't get into HAVING to change rear end ratio just to make a 5 (or 6 speed) transmission "work" - just more complication and unnecessary expense.
It all depends on what you intend to do with the car - just putting around mostly versus high speed interstate hwy travel ?
The simpler you keep things - the less trouble and expense in accomplishing your conversion.
I DON'T think this is something you would want to take on yourself - although if you inherited your Dad's tools and equipment you would have that end covered - the rest is knowledge / experience - the forum helps but still a lot of stumbling blocks along the way.
Thanks for your honest reply. I'm not really hung up on resale, I just dont want to do somehing that will F it up. My dad recenlty passed and lef this too me. He was a car guru and I am not. I love the car though and could you help more? Do you have Corvettes? How would you find someone to do this conversion? I added pics of my car, let me know if they didn't come through.
Thanks,
That's a beautiful C3 roadster. Your dad took great care of it, You're a lucky man.
Do what makes you happy.
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