Replace factory A8 with M7?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 297
From: Savannah GA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 46
From: Cape Coral, Florida
I imagine the complexity in swapping the computers and wiring harnesses are going to be the most challenging. it's not fun those harnesses run down the tunnel, through the firewall into the footwell, the rear of the car, you may need the front fuse box updated to support new relays, the point is I'm sure it's a challenge. It might be easier to just sell and buy an M7 car. Why would you want to swap? I have had both a '15 Z06 and now '177 Z07 both M7's and love them mostly b/c I like to row gears and road race. I don't drag race much. Do you have a lot of mods?
Regardless, I told him, though not as bad a putting a aftermarket sunroof in a car, I would just leave it stock if for anything, for resale value.
I think he's hell bent on doing it anyway. I just told him to be careful on the shop he uses.
Thank you for your quick response. Much obliged, sir.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,690
Likes: 1,450
I honestly forgot about the computers and harnesses. My brother-in-law bought a used ZR1 and decided he wanted the M7 instead of the A8. I explained it would most likely be a difficult project and but, since he was going to put in mods, do then so at once.
Regardless, I told him, though not as bad a putting a aftermarket sunroof in a car, I would just leave it stock if for anything, for resale value.
I think he's hell bent on doing it anyway. I just told him to be careful on the shop he uses.
Thank you for your quick response. Much obliged, sir.
Regardless, I told him, though not as bad a putting a aftermarket sunroof in a car, I would just leave it stock if for anything, for resale value.
I think he's hell bent on doing it anyway. I just told him to be careful on the shop he uses.
Thank you for your quick response. Much obliged, sir.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Agree, sell the A8, buy one with a stick. No way will you come out ahead $$$ here by doing the swapover. There are plenty enough you can find, and cheaper to repaint a color than swap the systems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 182
From: Manassas VA
Changing any car from automatic to stick is a monumental PITA no matter what model. It only got worse in the computer car era. There is no way in hell selling the car and buying one with a stick is not a better option.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 227
It is extremely complex to say the very least. I’ve built several C7’s and have taken apart/rebuilt more than I can count. When I say literally everything would have to come off the car and you would have to have the car stripped down to a bare shell (yes including front and rear fenders, bumpers, etc) I mean everything! Steering column and wheel, body harness, headlight harness, engine harness, all computers would need to be reflashed, don’t forget brake pedal assembly, rear diff as well (different ratios), torquerube, complete dash (major pita). You would need to remove all auto cooling lines (hence the removal off all exterior body panels), add the auto stuff, buy a new auto trans computer, reflash all modules including ecu and bcm, new key fobs and flash those as well to the car, add your auto pedals, auto steering wheel and column, and you should be good to go.
As others have suggested op, sell and buy auto. My opinion after being there and doing that lol.
As others have suggested op, sell and buy auto. My opinion after being there and doing that lol.
Last edited by c6txvette; Jan 30, 2020 at 08:21 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 129
Likes: 16
I done the swap twice in the C6 & was a major major job. I had the entire cars apart & scattered all over a 40x60 garage & was not a fun job. The C6 was very bad & not to mention a 2 week process because I switched the automatic to standard & the standard to automatic because I traded my automatic to my friends manual & these C7s are way more complex than the C6s. I would suggest trading to a M7, you would definately be money ahead.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
Everyone misses a manual when they don't have one anymore. I would say trade it in before you tear up a new car like that. 2nd option would be to go test drive one or borrow something that is stick to scratch the itch.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,785
Likes: 1,417
Since the OP is talking about a ZR1, I’m not sure what the swap would do to the value.
can you do it? Of course you can. Both auto and manual cars are produced on the same line. It’s a matter of parts, and costs.
worst case, you have to also replace the body harness and buy/code a new ECU, along with all the normal hardware.
it comes down to is it worth it to him? The vin number will always come back as an automatic...
can you do it? Of course you can. Both auto and manual cars are produced on the same line. It’s a matter of parts, and costs.
worst case, you have to also replace the body harness and buy/code a new ECU, along with all the normal hardware.
it comes down to is it worth it to him? The vin number will always come back as an automatic...
