Replacing auto trans with 6spd?

[SpaceGoat]

Found a good deal on an 86 corvette but its a 4spd automatic.. what would be the cost for all the parts needs for a 6spd manual and labor if i got it done at a garage. thanks.

 

[Eagle85C4]

The cost would probably be close to what you are paying for the car....

 

[Ken]

Welcome To The Corvette Action Center SpaceGoat!

Welcome to our family.

I hate to tell you this, but Eagle's about right. Now if you had the major parts on hand already, that'd be a different story.

 

[Skant]

Having converted a vehicle from manual to automatic before, I have to say that this was a very big and difficult job. And that was on a 1988 Blazer!

Going from auto to manual is even more difficult. And in a vette would be even more difficult still.

Replacing the tranny itself is the easier part of the job. It's all the support gear for the tranny that makes the job very hard. Consider that going from auto to manual means adding a whole clutch assembly... including pedal and electrical connections to the computer. Then you have to add a shifter... which probably means ripping holes in your underbody and installing a different center console... the list goes on and on.

Anyway.. yeah. Buy a vehicle that has the transmission you want to begin with.

- Skant

 

[Steve92LT1]

Done it before on qn 87 300ZX. Had the FREE parts car with a bad motor and good 5 speed trans and the automatic was shot, so that wasn't the problem. Doing the swap was. It was straightforward but hard. The pedal swap was the hard part, not to mention all the little crap you don't normally think of. Running the lines for the pedal was a mess. I can't even think about doing it on a Vette. I would just buy a manual if you have to have one. The only way I would consider it is if I had a parts car (but Vette's bring a pretty penny for parts cars as well)

Steve

 

[vettedoc]

Sounds like you'll be better off finding a six speed at a good price!
Good luck.

 

[BigRed]

Removing the 4+3 Transmission to a 6 Speed is not to bad of a job but the automatic to standard....ouch bud.

Pedals, Lines, Hydraulics, Drive Shafts, Bell Housing, Transmission, Console, Fibreglass Tunnel (If your talking about the Richmond Trans) Clutch, C.Fork, and electronics/cables.

Its a major, major, and yet more of a MAJOR job bud.

 

[86Gold]

I read where a few people have done this. One guy said it cost him about $3800 (doing all the work himself) and a lot of time. You will need some parts, including a large piece of the transmission tunnel, from an 89 6-speed.

If I remember correctly you will need:
- transmission
- clutch and brake pedal assemblies
- clutch master cylinder
- clutch slave cylinder
- plumbing connecting the two hydraulic cylinders
- fly wheel
- clutch assembly
- drive shaft
- dana 44 differential with "bat wing"
- shifter
- transmission tunnel piece - bond into your tunnel after cutting a large hole
- Console top cover plate
- shift boots
- eprom (chip) for computer

That's if you put in a 6 speed.
If you get a 4+3 you'll probably need a new wiring harness for the computer to activate the overdrive.

It's not financially practicle, but could be fun.

BTW
I have an 86 auto. I check ebay almost everyday for another c4 with manual trans.

Anyone want to trade?

 

[qwall]

It's not financially practicle, but could be fun.

sure it'd be fun, but just not worth it. My brother did it to his wrangler- went from manual to auto- and he said that was the worst job he ever did and wasnt ever gonna do it again. I was thinking about doing it to my vette but when i saw the prices for the things i'd be needing and the time it would take:eek :j

q

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Been there, Done that..

Cost about $4000 but I did it in 1996.

 

[LarryBible]

Your best bet would be a wrecked 6 Speed car setting next to yours while you're doing the swap. Doing it by gathering up individual pieces would be a real problem and probably much more expensive.

There will be many pieces that you will need that you haven't even thought of yet. That's why having the donor car next to the recipient is the only way I would approach it.

It's very possible that you could find a wrecked car, and get the salvage yard to agree to let you take the car, do the swap and bring back your automatic as well as what's left of the donor car.

Good luck,

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I have another suggestion. Do what I did. I converted to a TH400/Gear Vendors overdrive combo. I had my th400 built with a fully manual forward pattern valve body with engine braking. I put in a B&M Megashifter. I put on the t-handle with the little push button on the side to push with your thumb for activating the Gear Vendors. This is a very good setup. I now have full manual shifting, no clutch. I have 6 forward gear ratios to choose from. It shifts rocket fast. It's about the strongest route you could go, argueably stronger than a ZF6. If it ever does break it will cost peanuts to rebuild compared to a ZF overhaul. The shifts are very fun using the sequential ratcheting shifter. It cost me about $4000 in parts. I did all the work myself and I'm pretty low on the mechanic yardstick. I even designed/fabricated my own 2 piece torque arm so it's easy to take in and out. Check out my web site for some info on this mod. I love it and wish I had done this before sinking money into the stupid no good 700r4.
Just my .02 on the matter. I'm sure others will tell you not to do this.