turbo87

04 z06 with LS7 wanting to go from manual to auto is it worth it? or should i find another car. Whats normal cost if i do the labor? thanks

grasshopper645

I'm sure it could be done, but doubt it would be worth it. Surely it would be much easier and cheaper to sell your manual and just buy an auto.

Bill Dearborn

I agree. It isn't like the old days where all you had to do was change some mechanical components. Now you have to reprogram everything, may have to run a different wiring harness and then have a bastardized car that isn't worth what you put into it. Sell the car and purchase an auto instead. It will cost you less time and money in the end.

Bill

turbo87

Well i have the stock motor i could put it back in and keep the LS7 have about 20k in the motor.

93Polo

It has been done. Is it cost effective? depends on what your car currently has, what you want and how you want to control the automatic.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html

Seeing as how you have a LS7 and I assume you want to go drag racing, I would take a look at 4L80 or TH400 swaps rather than the stock 4L60E.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...st-review.html

turbo87

Haven't raced it, just street car but the clutch and shifting is getting old. But i do like the feel of having the power if i need it.Not really looking forward to changing the motor but may have to.

93Polo

Swapping the motor would be easier than torque tube, trans, wiring, and reprogramming.

A motor swap in a C5 isn't that bad, been there.

Route99

Especially if you are going to keep the LS7 engine in it, you would want a beefed up trans to support the engine performance - that's added dollars already. You've probably already strengthened the diff to support the LS7 power, but you'll need different couplers for the swap. As Bill suggested, you'd need a retune and there would be some rewiring. Not sure if you could modify the original harness or would have to swap to the auto harness, but you'll obviously have to link the transmission to the computer for shift points, downshifting codes, etc.
Suggestion: Put the original engine in the car to sell it and sell the LS7 engine separately. Take those funds and pick up the car you're now looking for.
Best wishes with this.

C5 Pete

An auto swap is relatively easy. People that say otherwise, likely have never done it.

There is an extensive thread in the FI section that has a lot of info.

For someone that likes the look of the hardtop/Z06, doing a swap is the only answer if you want an auto.

Best of success to you!

Evilash

I went the other direction. The forum sold me on how cheap and easy it was. I had an ls2 swap in a sentimental car I got. Ended up costing double( at over $7,000) as expected and taking forever. I don't recommend.
it literally would have cost the same to put a new motor in another car.
Some people have the money, time, tools and talent so it may be worth it to some. If I'd known before hand I would have just sold the car.

turbo87

Well looks like i be putting the stock engine back in,and keep the LS7 and install it in a auto C6 08 or 09 maybe that would hold more hp.May be hard to find C6 that needs motor.

Chris Stewart

Depends on the parts you use. I had my 03Z done, spent about 6k on RPM trans & parts, and 2-3k for installation labor & tuning. Absolutely love it stalled auto, and is reversible. I've seen guys do it way cheaper and spend way more on a fancy 4l80. Don't count out the 60e it will hold 1000+hp if built right.

turbo87

It's a tuff decision...

turbo87

It is the commemorative edition probably kill the value.

silver408z

I looked into a swap and priced it out. I priced all top end parts because my new build should make 900 to 1000 whp. It priced out to 14k or so in parts for a 4l60e. Labor should pretty much be same. You can do it cheaper depending on your power, goals and type of racing.

turbo87

635hp is what i have now.probably not going to change it.