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

question about converting an manual to a automatic

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 21, 2003 | 09:58 PM
  #1  
pettsir's Avatar
pettsir
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: hamilton square nj
Default question about converting an manual to a automatic

to convert a manual trans equiped car to an automatic do i need to change the crankshaft. being that the crank has a pilot bearing in it? will a flex plate just bolt right up to the crank? or is there a different bolt pattern or center size between manual cranks and auto cranks, and fly wheel and flex plate? :confused:
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2003 | 10:57 PM
  #2  
Strick's Avatar
Strick
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (pettsir)

First of all why the change? It might have been better to sell your Vette and buy what you want. :yesnod:

There are a ton of guys that would kill for a 96 CE LT4 6spd.


[Modified by Strick, 11:00 PM 10/21/2003]
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2003 | 11:11 PM
  #3  
CORKVETTE1's Avatar
CORKVETTE1
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 0
From: PITTSBURGH PA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (Strick)

probally wants to make a good strip car :cool: :cheers:
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2003 | 12:11 AM
  #4  
rodj's Avatar
rodj
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (pettsir)

All you need is the correct flexplate (153 /168 tooth ) for your engine.The crank flange has a recess where the snout of the converter fits in .The pilot bearing is inside this again.The only differences I know of with bolt patterns are between 2 piece / single piece seal cranks (before or after '87).
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2003 | 02:45 AM
  #5  
Chefskeez6's Avatar
Chefskeez6
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Rutland Ma
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (pettsir)

Forum member Eric Fischer swapped an auto into a LT4 Ce. He might be beable to answer other questions you might have.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2003 | 11:44 AM
  #6  
pettsir's Avatar
pettsir
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: hamilton square nj
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (Chefskeez6)

the conversion i'm thinking of doing is not for my vette. if the bolt patterns on all post 87 small blocks is the same and the center part of the cranck is the same then my question has been answered and a flex plate can be used in place of the fly wheel. just have to find out the amount of teeth, which one is the newer style?
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2003 | 12:10 PM
  #7  
Aaron71771's Avatar
Aaron71771
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,376
Likes: 21
From: Traverse City MI
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (pettsir)

Here is the cheapest and most efficient way to convert a manual to an auto:

step 1: Sell the manual car
step 2: Buy an Automatic car

Kidding aside, it can be done but it won't be fun or cheap.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2003 | 12:19 PM
  #8  
jburnett's Avatar
jburnett
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Default Re: question about converting an manual to a automatic (Aaron71771)

Damn...Ya'll are making this out to be much more difficult than it is... I'm swapping my ZF6 for a TH400 with a t-brake right now. Here's the skinny:

1) You don't need to pull the pilot bearing, just bolt the correct flexplate to the crank.
2) Get on Ebay and find a brake pedal assembly for an auto equipped C4; you'll need to switch this assembly. Time consuming but not overly difficult, unless you have a cage in the car like I do...Then it's PAINFUL and a PITA!
3) You'll need the appropriate tranny...More than likely you'll be needing a 700R4/4L60 unless you're a hardcore idiot like me and buy a TH350/400. The 700/4L60 is Corvette specific because of the c-beam. Make sure you get the proper one. For a TH350/400 you'll have to fabricate an adapter for the tailhousing/c-beam attachment.
4) If you choose a computer controlled tranny you'll need your ECM programming changed to reflect this. On 4L60E's this means the computer controls your shifts; the computer controls torque converter lockup on both 700's and 4L60E's...
5) Go back to Ebay and find an appropriate automatic shift console for your year vehicle; and unless you're planning on using an aftermarket shifter buy a shift assembly as well.

Really that's it...Simple really...Just time...
-Jeb
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To question about converting an manual to a automatic

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:42 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE