Has anyone ever converted an automatic transmission vette to standard? I have a 77 corvette that I am seriously wanting to switch to standard. I have done it before on a 73 Z28. I am looking at installing a Muncie trans. I know an overdrive trans would be better but, I am concerned about the cost of the overdrive transmissions. I have considered the 4sp autos but, I would prefer manual.
What are some things to consider with this change? Rear gear is 3:08. I appreciate any help on this.

 

Just have done this to my '75 coupe-matter of fact, gonna put the tranny in for the third time due to problems(I posted a story about it an hour ago). It's a fairly involved job, some parts a little difficult, but to me worth while with the end result. To me, the hardest was changing the auto pedal assembly to a manual pedal assembly-pretty much have to drop driver's side dash & steering column-not real hard, just plan on a good 4-6hrs doing it. Your present driveshaft & yoke "should" work with a Borg-Warner Super T-10, mine did. You'll have to get besides the manual pedal assembly, the "Z"-bar(between engine block & frame), manual bellhousing, tab for the Z-bar welded in(or the '80/'81 style bolted one "should" work to), main rod from clutch pedal to Z-bar, rod from Z-bar to clutch fork(which also you'll need), manual 168 tooth flywheel, 11.0" pressure plate, disc & throwout bearing(OEM kit is about $110), starter for a manual transmission car, speedometer cable for manual car, lower manual transmission "plate bracket", either bolted or welded to your automatic transmission crossmember and of course a manual trans shifter. You'll also have to change your shifter console plate & by-pass your safety neutral switch by soldering the heavy purple wire on each side of the switch together. I'm sure I'm missing a few odds & ends, but this is the main stuff. Is it worth it??? After driving my '75 38,000mi with an automatic, for me it is

Also, with a 3.08 rear gear, you need the standard "wide ratio" gear transmission with the 2.64 first gear. A close ratio trans with a 2.20 first gear is too hard to start from stops with.

 

Thank you for the reply. Are there any alignment issues in regards to the input shaft to the bellhousing and crankshaft. Did you do any alignment?

 

No alignment needed-if the bellousing flange of your block is square(I guess not warped or damaged), and you have a "square"(again undamaged)good used bellhousing, everything will bolt up "square".

One other thing I did'nt mention-you'll also need either a "pilot bushing" or "pilot bearing" for the input shaft of the manual transmission.

 

I have a '77 and an automatic and I'm converting to a 5 speed from www.classicchevy5speed.com

They have everything you need except the pedals. Also Question for Paul, where did you get the pedals/box and how hard is it to do if you have the entire interior stripped down and the body off the frame?

Bry

 

Check here for the pedals: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=949881

 

What is the difference between the manual speedo cable and the auto speedometer cable? I am still using the automadic starter and the automadic speedometer cable. My speedo is off, but i thought it was just because i have 275/60/15s on the back. At 75 my speedo says im going 58. Is there a big difference??

My advice for the manual swap...make sure you have ALL the parts you need so you dont have to wait on stuff to be shipped. Its a big pain to have your car out of commission for that long. Also make sure you have jack stands high enough where you can get the transmission out from under the car.

James

 

thanks stinky
is that a normal price? this car is killing me


Bry

 

***What is the difference between the manual speedo cable and the auto speedometer cable? I am still using the automadic starter and the automadic speedometer cable.***

James

I could'nt get my automatic cable to "reach" the Borg-Warner speedometer gear. Ordered a "manual" cable, which was about 6 inches longer and it was just enough.

Also, my '75 automatic starter's nose cone would'nt fit into the bellhousing starter opening. Got a manual one & it worked.

 

Hi

For a auto to manual conversion including a 5 speed overdrive , pls see the Keisler thread right on top of the C3 main page ( group purchase ).
They have all necessary parts in a complete kit.

Rgds. Gunther

 

Heres my 0.02 woth..

My muncie is great but.......If I was going through all that pain to install a manual transmission I wouldn't put a muncie in. Either get an OD Auto or an OD 5 or 6 speed. Originality isn't an issue because your carr was an auto anyway right. Nice thin is with that removable cross member you can modify it any way you want to mount a different box.

A 30 year old four speed is fun to drive till you get on the highway. Shop around for the box there are deals out there. What an OD auto. It doesn't take much to fit a later OD auto to those cars.

Pete

 

Thanks for all the input! What do you guys think of an 5sp trans from a late model Camaro? Excuse my ignorance but, would there be any computer issues? If so could it be run without one?

 

Hi Paul,
Do you have any photos or former posts about your 4 speed conversion? I have just purchased the parts to convert my 76 from another CF member (73 parts)

Any info would be apprecieated

Thanks,
John