Converting C5 six speed to automatic
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Converting C5 six speed to automatic
Fifteen years ago, I bought a base 2004 with a six speed. Now, at 70 years old, I'd like an automatic transmission. Is it feasible to pay to convert this in my car, or should I just trade mine in for one with an auto?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 14
From: NC
Manuals sell for more than automatics. Just sell it and then buy the auto. You'll lose a lot trading it and even more trying to convert it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
C5s have hit some low price points, however manual transmission cars still tend to bring a slight premium over more common automatics. It's not surprising considering the entirety of C5 production is roughly a fourth of cars being a six speed. A converted car will have baggage in having to explain why all of a sudden it's an automatic.
I think also the cost of doing all of that would be insurmountable, especially if this is something you're willing to pay someone to do. By the time it's all said and done you could have probably just bought an automatic C5.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Thanks, Knewblew (I think). The other factor I failed to mention was that I recently moved to a more congested city (i.e. stop lights at every corner) making it less fun to use as a daily driver. Nevertheless, your comment made me smile.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,209
Likes: 982
From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
Take a look at this one, very clean and well worth the money.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-coupe-tx.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-coupe-tx.html
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
if you don't have a ton of money in mods or an emotional attachment to the car then I agree with the above, sell it and buy one that is already an auto... if you have to pay someone to do the work you will likely be paying at least half (if not more) of what the car is worth
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,294
Likes: 1,527
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
I agree with those that suggest trading for a C5 auto.
Your going to spend a lot of money to convert to a auto.
You must change the electronics etc,etc. A lot of time
and money. It's not like the old days changing a transmission
under a shade tree.
Good luck.
Your going to spend a lot of money to convert to a auto.
You must change the electronics etc,etc. A lot of time
and money. It's not like the old days changing a transmission
under a shade tree.
Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
From: Reno NV
Where are you located ? I have an C5 auto coupe, 2000, silver with black top, 70k miles, long tube headers/x-pipe/straights, great condition. Might sell or trade for a manual. In NV.