72, Auto to 5 sp conversion
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Austin Tx
72, Auto to 5 sp conversion
I've been thinking of swapping from Turbo 400 to 700R4, but I started thinking if I am going to go to all that trouble and expense why not go to 5sp manual. I noticed the Richmond 5sp is a 1:1 ratio in 5th, don't understand why you would get a 5sp w /out OD gear...does anyone know if they carry a 5sp with OD gear, and what other brands are available. Anyone else done an auto to stickshift tranny in a C3? Auto is nice in traffic but I bought the thing to have fun and after a month I am bored with the automatic.
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 72, Auto to 5 sp conversion (Gage)
They have a 6 speed that is O/D. If you have a 3.08 gear now the richmond is like swaping in a 3.70 with trans in 1st but still gives you the 3.08 when in 5th. From what I understand the trans' are stonger when the highest gear is 1:1, good for people who like to do high speed runs.
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Re: 72, Auto to 5 sp conversion (Gage)
Check out this thread. It's quite lengthy at this point, but there's plenty of info in there on the different options for putting in a 5-speed. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=781824
The Richmond OD theory is that you get a shorter first gear and a 1:1 final, so you install the new trans and go to taller rear end (like 3.08 instead of 3.48) and you effectively changed your final drive ratios for all gears to what you would have gotten with a REAL OD. Seems like a pain to me. :yesnod:
[Modified by ddecart, 10:54 PM 4/13/2004]
The Richmond OD theory is that you get a shorter first gear and a 1:1 final, so you install the new trans and go to taller rear end (like 3.08 instead of 3.48) and you effectively changed your final drive ratios for all gears to what you would have gotten with a REAL OD. Seems like a pain to me. :yesnod:
[Modified by ddecart, 10:54 PM 4/13/2004]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
Re: 72, Auto to 5 sp conversion (ddecart)
Now I get it..if you have a tall rear like I do (3.08) then the Richmond does make sense because with the lower gears its like I put a 4.10 in the back, but I still have the 3.08. Still wouldn't mind having the OD with the 3.08..cruise all day below 2000 rpm and still be passing people. I've been looking at the 5sp threads, but haven't found one where someone has gone from an automatic to a manual. I guess I need to keep looking. First instinct is to sell it and buy a shark with a stick already, but I hate to let go of a car that is in such good cond otherwise.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Antonio TX
Re: 72, Auto to 5 sp conversion (Gage)
Keisler (see the sponsors links) has a complete conversion. Uses a Tremec that gives you a 5th OD.
The reason for having final drive as 1:1 is that 1:1 is the strongest gear. This can make a difference in high speed applications where you are using max horsepower to beat through the air. It gets a little complicated but for the most part, the OD is going to be a better choice.
The reason for having final drive as 1:1 is that 1:1 is the strongest gear. This can make a difference in high speed applications where you are using max horsepower to beat through the air. It gets a little complicated but for the most part, the OD is going to be a better choice.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 72, Auto to 5 sp conversion (Gage)
Now I get it..if you have a tall rear like I do (3.08) then the Richmond does make sense because with the lower gears its like I put a 4.10 in the back, but I still have the 3.08. Still wouldn't mind having the OD with the 3.08..cruise all day below 2000 rpm and still be passing people. I've been looking at the 5sp threads, but haven't found one where someone has gone from an automatic to a manual. I guess I need to keep looking. First instinct is to sell it and buy a shark with a stick already, but I hate to let go of a car that is in such good cond otherwise.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,102
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From: spring city pa
Re: 72, Auto to 5 sp conversion (Fevre)
I just completed swapping out my 700r for a tremec in my 82 . Swapping out the pedal box is a bit of an exercise but the rest is quite simple . I also installed a hydraulic setup for the clutch . Lots of hunting around for the right parts took a bit of time .
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