C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Transmission Swap Question

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Old May 12, 2006 | 12:37 PM
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Default Transmission Swap Question

I have found a '91 Vert that I am interested in. It has an auto trannsmission and I was wondering how hard it was to swap to a manual in this car? And what manual transmissions are best suited for this swap. Your input is genuinely appreciated.
Bernie
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Old May 12, 2006 | 08:04 PM
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Nobody ever swap trannys in a C4?
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Old May 12, 2006 | 08:07 PM
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Here's a good read about this.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...&threadid=6932
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Old May 13, 2006 | 08:38 PM
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Steve,
Thanks for the information!
Bernie
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Old May 23, 2006 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve87VETTE
Just what I was looking for! I've done this about 6 times on F-body's over the last 10 years, and was wondering if anyone has done it on a C4. (just bought one).

-- Joe
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Old May 23, 2006 | 04:54 PM
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keep looking. the costs out weigh the benefits.
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Old May 23, 2006 | 10:00 PM
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Default I Did A Custom Transmission Swap

I have a 1985 Corvette with 60,000 miles on it. I got rid of my 4+3 and I installed a richmond 6-spd with a billet aluminum Hays flywheel, centerforce clutch and pressure plate. I had to cut the fiberglass pocket off of my car. The pocket holds the shifter assembly for the 4+3 transmission. The trans that I got straight from richmond came with a custom tailshaft and gear ratios of my choice. I hated the idea of cutting my body, but now I love driving my rare '85 6SPD. This goes good with my new Dana 44 with 3.73 rear end. My car is also chipped, full stainless steel 2.5" Exhaust, (mandrel bent off road front y-pipe, High flow 3" cat, and borla cat-back system) and the ignition is done-that is all with performance for now. My newest item is my 18" x 9.5" chrome 2006 ZO6 wheels! 275/35/28 and 295/35/18. Pictures comming soon!
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Old May 23, 2006 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by bogus
keep looking. the costs out weigh the benefits.
How so? You done it?
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Old May 24, 2006 | 12:38 AM
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Just finished another conversion to 6 speed.
Figure for the master, slave, spacer, clutch line and pedals $ 550 Don't forget a heat shield for the slave.
for the transmission and a bellhousing, fork, pivot $ 12-1500
for the yoke $75
for the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc. $ 800-1200
for the console pieces, unless you modify yours $ 100
for SMC tunnel mods $50

$2775 - $3475

you can save some funds by using the stock clutch, pp, flywheel,
used parts, but why? -$500-900

And of course, there's the Dana 44, that Dana 36 with 2.59-2.73-3.07s is going to be hell on the clutch and the pocket book when it breaks. You can cryo and gear it for $600 or so, less if you can gear it yourself.

Now, the interesting part, it's a 91 convertible, late style body, L98.
johnny
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Old May 24, 2006 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by johnnyevans
Just finished another conversion to 6 speed.
Figure for the master, slave, spacer, clutch line and pedals $ 550 Don't forget a heat shield for the slave.
for the transmission and a bellhousing, fork, pivot $ 12-1500
for the yoke $75
for the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc. $ 800-1200
for the console pieces, unless you modify yours $ 100
for SMC tunnel mods $50

$2775 - $3475

you can save some funds by using the stock clutch, pp, flywheel,
used parts, but why? -$500-900

And of course, there's the Dana 44, that Dana 36 with 2.59-2.73-3.07s is going to be hell on the clutch and the pocket book when it breaks. You can cryo and gear it for $600 or so, less if you can gear it yourself.

Now, the interesting part, it's a 91 convertible, late style body, L98.
johnny
I've been doing a lot of reading about the ZF stuff. I guess I need to find more specific info, seems a lot of vette owners are not like yourself and don't do their own work.. Is the bolt pattern, spline size and count, and distance the same as a T56? Seems the better solution is using some cheaper Fbody parts. Me thinks, if if possible, use vette master, custom earls braided hose, fbody slave, bellhousing, clutch, flywheel. Now will the ZF mount to it? maybe, maybe not. Maybe I'd need to mill an adapter out of some aluminum. Maybe the ZF shaft is too short, or too long.. The ZF uses a different yoke than a 700R4 ? lame. What is the tranny longer, or spline different?

Is their a better site for this type of technical info? I've searched posts
and can't find as much as I'd thought i'd find.

How do 4+3 bell housings differ from the ZF ? maybe I need both a '91 and '87 helms manuals.

Dana 36 gears seem kinda cheap in the summit catalogue. I can't imagine they're much harder to setup than a 10 bolt. ?? I know they're suposedly weaker due to the 7.5" ring gear (like a fbody 10 bolt), wonder if the same things make 'em stronger (girdle, cap supports, etc). ?

-- Joe
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Old May 24, 2006 | 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by johnnyevans
Just finished another conversion to 6 speed.
Figure for the master, slave, spacer, clutch line and pedals $ 550 Don't forget a heat shield for the slave.
for the transmission and a bellhousing, fork, pivot $ 12-1500
for the yoke $75
for the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc. $ 800-1200
for the console pieces, unless you modify yours $ 100
for SMC tunnel mods $50

$2775 - $3475

you can save some funds by using the stock clutch, pp, flywheel,
used parts, but why? -$500-900

And of course, there's the Dana 44, that Dana 36 with 2.59-2.73-3.07s is going to be hell on the clutch and the pocket book when it breaks. You can cryo and gear it for $600 or so, less if you can gear it yourself.

Now, the interesting part, it's a 91 convertible, late style body, L98.
johnny
In addition you should upgrade the Chip. Nothing difficult if you are able to manage chips and ECM things...
But if you have to pay someone you can add $200 to $300.
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Old May 24, 2006 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by conv90
In addition you should upgrade the Chip. Nothing difficult if you are able to manage chips and ECM things...
But if you have to pay someone you can add $200 to $300.
I'm gonna repin the vette to a '730 ecm this weekend. I have a ostrich for real time tuning. I was gonna use my calibration from the firebird, but I realized the vette has the additional oil temp input, so I need to grab a base vette bin and import my ve and timing tables. I also have to figure out what pin on the '730 the temp input needs to goto.

I'm probably gonna run the 700R4 for a while until it blows up, with just a converter and a shift kit, but i'd like to get the pedals and hydraulics in while the motor is out.

-- Joe
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