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I recently inherited my dad's 1968 Corvette convertible, with a 427 4 barrel. I love the car, but it has an automatic transmission and I would prefer a manual. Any thoughts on what it would take to change this, and if it would add or subtract value?
In general, manual cars bring more money. However, if this is a really perfect numbers matching collectors car. Then you want to keep it 100 percent original. Now if it's less than 100 percent original and just a nice driver, then I'd swap it. Kit's to do the swap are available from a number of vendors or all the parts can be purchased used.
Thanks for your reply.
as far as I know, it is original to the car and it’s the 390 HP Turbo Jet. What other types of 427s did that car come with? I know the 435 HP but isn’t that the 6 pack?
the car is almost completely original, except it does have side pipes, not sure if that’s original? I’ve noticed the manuals seem to be more sought after and was curious even if it devalues it because of originality, if the fact it’s a manual would make up the difference? I’m not at all interested in selling now, love driving it and think I’d enjoy it more if it were a manual.
Thanks for the advice on where to find more threads.
If you’re looking to convert to a manual I would highly recommend looking at Silver Sport Transmissions. They have a TKX 5 speed kit for C3’s. Adding a third pedal and overdrive to that 427 would make for a great driver.
Well we now know your 68 is NOT 100 percent original. No 68 came with side pipes. Yes they are nice. Not original, but nice.
So, the last owner wasn't going nuts with the original markings on the heads of bolts and other such things.
Put a manual in it! It'll be HEAPS more fun to drive!
Putting in a modern 5 or 6 speed is certainly an option. Putting in a used 4 speed is also a way to go. Really depends on budget, and what you like.
Yes, definitely a Tremec TKX from Silver Sport. Best thing I did to my 82 (next to dumping the L-83). It shifts like butter and the McLeod clutch is easy to depress. The swap it pretty straight forward. However swapping the pedals and the hydraulic master cylinder install was a real PITA. Being it's a big block I would go with the close ratio. The wide ratio IMO will put too much torque to the diff.
Thanks for your response. I like where your head is at. My dad took immaculate are of this car but am not sure how original it is. I want to have more fun with it and a manual is where that is. Which manual, if $ weren't an issue, is the best to go with? How does it effect the resale to be as original as possible?
I think your really hung up over resale value. You have already shown the car is not 100 percent original. Read through this forum in the weeks and months to come. You will see there are 2 basic camps here. The absolutely original guys. Who are concerned with the correct finish of paint for the inside of a tube that no one will ever see. The correct factory markings on the heads of bolts on the underside of the frame, etc. These are the cars that have the "Original " value.
then there's the other camp, the, it's my car and I'll do what I want to camp.
We vary a great deal. As most of us like some things stock, and others not so stock. Some like modern large diameter wheels for instance. I don't. Some will only run a carburetor, I don't. We're all over the shop in this camp. But we all agree on one thing, it's my car and I'll do what I want to!
And lately, resto mod cars have been bringing more money at the auctions than the All original, numbers matching cars.
So........
It's your car! Enjoy it!
Oh as per which is the best. Seems I hear SST the most often.
as mentioned by a couple above.
Me, I run a factory 4 speed. But if I was starting from ground zero and money wasn't a problem. Yes I would be talking to Silver Sport. Probably looking at a 6 speed.
For me, money is a real, genuine concern. So that happening. I'll continue to love my Super T10.
And lately, resto mod cars have been bringing more money at the auctions than the All original, numbers matching cars.
So........
It's your car! Enjoy it!
Exactly! Having recently had one of each type, the car with the 4-speed is a million times more fun to drive.
If you want to enjoy your Father's car (sorry for your loss), put a manual in it. Either a TKX 5-speed, or a Magnum 6-speed (both available from ShiftSST.com ).
If you want to maximize the sale price of the car, clean it up, and sell it in the spring. Don't swap it, you'll never get the cost of the swap back. Restomods do go for more than stock, but usually less than they cost to make.
But if you want the value of driving a fun car, the manual swap is the best bang for your buck (well, that and a few suspension mods, and onward down the restomod path...)
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.
Do we have Corvette's? Yes, that is kinda why we are here.
My old girl.
350, 4 on the floor.
She's my Baby.
.
As to finding help with working on your baby.
Best advice, join your local Corvette club. If there are several in your area, find out which group has more of the older cars. Join a club. Get to know the old guys that work on cars. Ask others where they get work done in your area. Also just asking others at car shows and Cars and Coffee events.
IMHO a properly executed manual conversion will not devalue that vehicle. In fact, being a manual will open it up to a greater pool of buyers if you decide to sell later on. Keep the auto trans properly stored, and all the take off parts with it for the future buyer. It is not a "Faberge egg" like the L88, LS6, or 435 HP tri power examples are, so, you can get away with stuff like that. He put an L88 hood on it already which is a desirable mod too, so I'd go for it without reservation.
Putting in a modern 5 or 6 speed is concidered a very desirable modification.
the car certainly does NOT look original. At least not to those who know what they are looking at. Give that part up.
automatic transmission-wanting manual
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