Transmission Swap
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Transmission Swap
I know this is going to sound crazy, but bear with me: I love everything about my '01 C5 except its automatic transmission, which overheats within about 12-14 minutes each time I take it on track during a PDX/HPDE event (it has a transmission cooler, which appears to do nothing useful). I've had the car for several years, and I've fixed quite a number of old-Corvette things (e.g., the infamous rocking-seat problem); replaced the ABS module; and had the Lingenfelter LS2 engine completely rebuilt and dyno-tuned last year after a piston broke. With so much blood, sweat, and money invested (and yes, I understand the concept of sunk costs), I'm not interested in just buying a different used Corvette and waiting to discover what hidden issues it has.
So here's my question: How difficult/expensive would it be to replace the automatic with a manual? Serious answers only, please -- I already stipulated that it sounds crazy, but it's a serious question.
So here's my question: How difficult/expensive would it be to replace the automatic with a manual? Serious answers only, please -- I already stipulated that it sounds crazy, but it's a serious question.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,650
Likes: 7,292
From: CT
I'm sure there must be a detailed post on here for this, or several.
I'll hazard the guess.
Source a shifter, linkage, transmission, potentially a different rear for better gearing, master and slave cylinders, pedals, fluid reservoir, might even need a different TT or to add the mount for the shifter. And then reprogram the car.
Most people go the opposite direction when looking st drag cars. It seems less common to swap in a stick vs just buying a stick car in the first place.
I'll hazard the guess.
Source a shifter, linkage, transmission, potentially a different rear for better gearing, master and slave cylinders, pedals, fluid reservoir, might even need a different TT or to add the mount for the shifter. And then reprogram the car.
Most people go the opposite direction when looking st drag cars. It seems less common to swap in a stick vs just buying a stick car in the first place.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 73
Likes: 18
From: Prague, Czech rep., EU
As was said above, there are several threads covering this change. It can definitely be done ( mine was converted before I bought it ), some parts can stay ( for example diff, atleast I think so ), some have to be added. Here is some document that is usually linked in those threads, it might give you some light about what is done in those swaps.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Thanks, Tusc. Based on the document provided by xlst, I may just need to buy another car and swap the engines! Or, as my long-suffering wife would no doubt suggest if I mentioned it to her, just forget the whole darn thing!
Last edited by Jeff Carver; Sep 29, 2021 at 07:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
So, then, let's assume that a transmission swap is a Really Bad Idea and consider the alternative: buy another C5 and do an engine swap. Since they're both LS1 engines, the swap itself shouldn't be terribly complicated, right? There would be the additional cost of having both engines retuned (ECMs reprogrammed), I presume. What else can you think of?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 197
From: Columbus, MS
So, then, let's assume that a transmission swap is a Really Bad Idea and consider the alternative: buy another C5 and do an engine swap. Since they're both LS1 engines, the swap itself shouldn't be terribly complicated, right? There would be the additional cost of having both engines retuned (ECMs reprogrammed), I presume. What else can you think of?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Call around to any Vette shop you're willing to drive to and see if they know anyone who wants to swap the other way. Post up in your regional section asking too. Others have done it that way, so it could happen for you too.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
That's an excellent idea, and one I hadn't thought of -- thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 197
From: Columbus, MS