Brian308gts

Hello, I currently have a 92 C4 6 Speed Convertible and spend most of my time in the C4 section which has been great to me. A friend of mine happens to love the 1981 C3 with the intergrated spoilers and he found a really nice one which is unfortunately an automatic, and the 4 speeds seem hard to find. I wanted to aske you guys how difficult it would be to remove the auto, and convert it to a 4 speed? I did this with a 74 Firebird back in the 80's and it wasn't that bad as I just moved parts from one car to another. I would greatly appreciate any advice the experts have on the matter. Also, I always loved C3's!

HamadUP

I'm about to start doing that with my '71, as far as I'm told, the biggest job is removing the stock auto pedal assembly and putting the manual pedals back in.

Brian308gts

Thank you!

mikejpss

I am about to start the same thing on my 80 auto to 4 speed original equipment I bought from a Forum member. Was told by several the pedal assembly is the hardest part, but mentally I'm having anxiety about removing the steering column........Don't want to open a can of worms there.
Trans removal and install of the 4 speed seems straight forward. The pedal linkage, shifter mounting and shift linkage seems a small challenge.Lets not forget identifying/re routing of the neutral safety switch and wiring...... At this time I won't be addressing the back up light system and will leave it disconnected, but marked (in console) for later.....
WHILE I'M AT IT - gonna change out the carpet, re-dye the seat plastic and storage compartment frames...... Nice winter project, I guess.
Have heard of a couple of Forum members that made the change on 82's, don't think it was any more detailed just b/c it was an 82 (since NO 4 speeds in 82). The only exception I can think of would be the trans xmember- is it the same as an 80 & 81 ? , and the frame being pre-drilled for the bolt-on Z bar bracket. Maybe someone thats done an 82 can add some info here ?
Good luck.

mikejpss

You topic title says an 82, and your first posting eludes to an 81. Which one are you gonna do the swap with? The 82 has a different auto trans than the 80 and 81. It "MAY" have a different Xmember, you would have to check. The 80 & 81's were the same for an auto and 4 speed trans....

Raphiki

Keisler makes complete kits for this. http://www.keislerauto.com
Supposed to have everything you need to do the whole job. Their support is good if you have any problems.

Brian308gts

It is a 1981! Sorry about that, and thank you all for the greast advice.
This forum is the most helpful I've ever seen!

Brian308gts

This is great, thank you!

gbvette62

Volunteer Products makes a kit that includes everything you need; except the bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, and trans. I don't recall if the kit includes the shifter, but if not, they repro correct Corvette shifters too.

All 75-81 4 speed Corvettes, used the same clutch/trans components. Try to use a 75-81 bellhousing, flywheel, clutch and Borg-Warner Super T-10; to try and eliminate any match up problems between parts. Some 78-79 Corvettes (and other GM cars) used a Saginaw trans, instead of the Super T-10. These will work also, but personally, I think the Super T-10 is preferable.

birdsmith

In my experience the most daunting part of the job was ripping the entire dash out and then hoping it all worked again after I put it back together (fortunately it did). I would highly recommend getting the Assembly Instruction Manual for your year Vette and referring to that when putting things back together. I have also compiled a complete parts list and job narrative for a '70...PM me with your email if you want a copy.

mikejpss

Wait till you see the cost on the Keisler changeout !
or

You can play around here and and on the Parts section & pick up a complete system for < $2k if you are patient.

Rusted40

Volunteer Vette PE30


I converted my 75, and the pedals are the hardest part but I didnt have to completely remove the column.

I made a 3/8 plate to extend the trans mount forward as the 4 speed comes up a few inches short.