Installing Manual Tranny
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
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Installing Manual Tranny
Hello, I have a 1985 Corvette and I'm wanting to install a manual transmission(currently automatic). Unfortunately, I do not know all the parts I need. I have people that will be able to assist me in the installation, but I need to be able to order all the parts first. So what I'm asking is, what do I need to purchase in order to install a new transmission?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: Spring City Tn
Hello, I have a 1985 Corvette and I'm wanting to install a manual transmission(currently automatic). Unfortunately, I do not know all the parts I need. I have people that will be able to assist me in the installation, but I need to be able to order all the parts first. So what I'm asking is, what do I need to purchase in order to install a new transmission?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
There is a decent '88 z52 coupe 4+3 on ebay right now for 4k............you'll spend a grand or so and alot of labor to swap it over..........just my .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
with the previous post......been there done that......but I did it when things were different......would not consider that route again......but if you must.....go check out Keisler Automotive.....they have a website......they make a kit to transform an auto to manual for the 84-88 cars......highly recommend that route......they provide everything you need and the tranny is lighter than the ZF 6 speed in the 89-96 cars.......and you will run into a special FW like I did since you are running a 2 piece rear main if you go with the ZF6
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
To much time and money! The early c4's are sooooo cheap right now. Unless you are attached to your '85 (I get that way with some of my cars), then put it on ebay or craigslist, or here and get rid of it.
There is a decent '88 z52 coupe 4+3 on ebay right now for 4k............you'll spend a grand or so and alot of labor to swap it over..........just my .02
There is a decent '88 z52 coupe 4+3 on ebay right now for 4k............you'll spend a grand or so and alot of labor to swap it over..........just my .02
It isn't so much the trans itself, it's everything else. You need a clutch pedal assembly. A clutch master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a hydraulic hose. Flywheel, bolts, clutch and pressure plate, throwout bearing and arm. The C-beam for the auto maybe slightly different than the manual version. And the ECM may be different as will the chip that goes into it. The driveshaft may be different; you will definitely need a different yoke.And you didn't say which manual trans you want. Are you going with a 4+3, a Keisler? Richmond Gear? ZF6? Each one will have it's own install quirks and different parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Personally i am going to install a T-56 in my 84' from an LT1 F-body. I am swapping in the LT1 and 6 speed. The 700r4 is the same length/ spline count as the T-56 so a different yoke is not required and the c-beam/ drive shaft are the right length. There is a site that makes a bracket for the T-56 so the C-beam will bolt up to the back of the T-56. I bought that already and it installed perfectly. 93-97 F-body flywheel/clutch set/slave cylinder will all work in the swap. You will need to use a C4 master with an F-body slave (basically have a shop combine the 2 hydraulic lines to make one with both needed ends. (C4 uses a threaded adapter like a brake line and the F-body uses a roll-pin to hold the line in, from what i have seen anyways) And the shifter will come up in the center of the center column not 2-3" to the left like the ZF-6 will give you. I am going to buy a shifter that will move the stick to the left 2 1/2 inches or so. All in all its not hard but time consuming. The t-56 was readily available to me and was decently priced so i just took that route.
