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

transmission conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 02:02 PM
  #1  
jamiehjr's Avatar
jamiehjr
Thread Starter
7th Gear
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Default transmission conversion

Hey!

I am seeking information about converting a 1989 automatic C4 to a manual transmission. Are there any links available?

Besides the obvious hardware of clutch linkage, hardware, bellhousing, what else is required? Is steering column different with automatic lock vs. manual lock? Is engine management/computer need to be modified/changed?


Thanks!
Jamie

Last edited by jamiehjr; Jan 4, 2005 at 02:06 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 04:00 PM
  #2  
kwik_ta's Avatar
kwik_ta
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Default

My brother and I did this to a 67 Mustang and it was a huge PITA!!! I will never do it again. I will buy a manual car before I have to tackle that job again. I can't imagine that it is an easier task on a Corvette.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 04:10 PM
  #3  
redbullapril23's Avatar
redbullapril23
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
Default

yes I will second that!
sell the 89 and buy a maunal lt1!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 04:12 PM
  #4  
redbullapril23's Avatar
redbullapril23
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
Default

well their are alot of things!
the dana 36 may not hold up!
all manual cars were equiped with dana 44s becuase they can take more abuse!
If ne thing dont do this!
its near impossible and by the time you are done you could of cold your car and bought a new manual and still ahve $ for parts!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 07:08 PM
  #5  
jamiehjr's Avatar
jamiehjr
Thread Starter
7th Gear
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Default I want to do it because you say I shouldn't

I converted my 1977 Trans Am Bandit Edition with a 400 Pontiac engine from Turbo 350 to Muncie M21. I used all the correct parts, did my research, and completed the task. It was a conversion to be proud of, even with the hard-to-find manual column lock and manual console. I would do it again.

I will probably use 86-88 bellhousing for 4+3 so I can use the Richmond 6 speed with custom gears.

It is hard to find a cherry C4 in bright red with black leather interior with a manual transmission without an exuberant asking price. I can haggle all day for automatic cars that are plentiful, put in a custom transmission and change the Dana 36 to Dana 40 with my choice of ring and pinion.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 07:13 PM
  #6  
redbullapril23's Avatar
redbullapril23
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
Default

well then you are god my friend
and more power to you
I know that MTI racing did a c5 conversion if that helps conctact them REESE *** is a freaking genius!
also try www.moreperformanceinc.com
they are very knowlegable
hope this can help

also did you consider buying an manual and repainting it...
your friend
Sean
happy new years!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 08:29 PM
  #7  
mikenfl's Avatar
mikenfl
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire There's nothing like a 'Vette
Default

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there someone on this board in the processof doing one of these conversions? It has been a while back and I think he was using a ZF.......then again.....I have been wrong before :o
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 08:36 PM
  #8  
ittlfly's Avatar
ittlfly
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Default

I can't remember either and he was posting pictures too. I don't recall seeing him post the finished project.
Reply
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
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 10:20 PM
  #9  
ninetyfivevette's Avatar
ninetyfivevette
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

Perhaps you're talking about me or perhaps the guy that was installing a ROD-6. I have really only just begun the process however. I have the ZF and all the OEM parts (except a steering column). Right now I am working on getting my custom exhaust off the header collectors. The guy that made it really tighened the heck out of the clamps, putting detents in the exhaust pipe and header collector... It is not moving without some cutting.

Anyway, with good mechanical ability and some tools, this job is fairly straight forward. I don't understand why some people are just telling you to sell it and get an automatic car. The same philosophy could be applied to building up your motor. I am sure a C4 equiped with a 383 or larger could be had complete and cheaper than if you did it yourself, but then you would be buying someone else's creation.

My sig has a link to a pretty lame page I have started. It's really just a place holder for when the conversion really starts moving and I will put some more time into it. If I get the exhaust off tonight, I may go for broke and remove the trans this week yet and see what sorts of balancing issues I have with the flywheel I have.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 10:46 PM
  #10  
USAsOnlyWay's Avatar
USAsOnlyWay
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Default

Wow, am I actually reading this? Tons of people have done the swap. 700r4-> ZF Six Infact I think their are kits on ebay from time to time. I believe IBEAM??? is doing the ROD6 swap right now.
This is no new thing though. Good luck!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 11:34 PM
  #11  
shotchkiss's Avatar
shotchkiss
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 4
From: Frostburg MD
Default

Aren't the transmission tunnels different between the auto and the manual cars?
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 01:42 AM
  #12  
VenkmanP's Avatar
VenkmanP
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Default

Originally Posted by jamiehjr
It is hard to find a cherry C4 in bright red with black leather interior with a manual transmission without an exuberant asking price. I can haggle all day for automatic cars that are plentiful, put in a custom transmission and change the Dana 36 to Dana 40 with my choice of ring and pinion.
Ah, so you're doing it to save money.

There are hundreds of red C4s with MT for sale right now. Probably very few of them are asking more than what you will pay for your car plus the conversion.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To transmission conversion





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:54 PM.

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