1981 Corvette Auto to Manual Transmission Clutch Pedal Swap

[Zero1Niner]

Decided to get started on my auto to manual conversion tonight on my 1981 Corvette.

Here is are some photos of the progress.

Remove this bolt at the rag joint. I needed to completely remove it to get the steering column shaft out.


Definitely remove the seat. Easy, and would be a pain in the butt if it was there.


Remove the panel under the steering column.


Remove the bolts at the firewall. There are 2 more bolts at on a bracket that I didnt take a photo of that are holding the steering column also.


Remove the a/c duct (really easy).





Need to disconnect all of the wire harnesses from the steering column. There are quite a few.

 

[Zero1Niner]

 

[Zero1Niner]

So far...so good.

 

[Mac]

Very cool way of showing your project. Thanks for documenting it!!

-Mac

 

[Evolution1980]

Yeah, this is a really nice 'walk through'. Please keep it updated!
If I had this information about 9 years ago... :eyerole

 

[Zero1Niner]

Here are the remaining pics from my pedal assembly installation. Overall, it was a reasonably tough job, but would have been much easier with a little help. I recommend having someone their to help you out.

 

[Peer81]

Great write up!

The blue connector that you see is comming from your speedo to your ECM.
Do you also have an ECM for a manual '81? I don't know if your ECM has a problem with this swap?

Greetings Peter

 

[Zero1Niner]

Thanks Peter.

That connector was not hooked up before I did the pedal swap. I havent got around to researching what is was or how important it was.

Wonder if this is contributing to my 10-11 mpg problem that got me thinking about this swap in the first place! :confused

 

[Peer81]

The thing is telling the ECM what speed you're driving so the ECM can turn on or off the converter lockup (for the TH350C). If it isn't connected then the ECM will give a error code and I think will go into open cycle. Is your SES light (above your coolant temp gauge) working? If your SES light isn't working (going on at start up) then you can't see if the ECM is in open or closed loop (in open loop the engine is getting more fuel just to get home so that could also be your problem.)

But go on with the swap this is a great topic!

Greetings Peter

 

[jaybird81]

Zero1Niner,
I just completed this same conversion on my '81. I am all to familiar with that pedal swap. Definitely worth all the work though. If you're like me, you'll be happy you put the effort in.