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Topic: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (8/18)
8/24/14 1:18am

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

Thanks.

The power plant is a jasper 350 at approx 220 hp and with the 3 spd auto its chirps in all shifts if I nail it. the issue is at 75 i am turning close to 4000rpm.

Ideally i would like to keep the nice acceleration so I am not sure if I should change to 5 spd manual or change the rear. I would like a turn at min of 3000rpm at 80mph, lower is always better. Any advice??

Thanks guys.

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (9/18)
8/24/14 3:36am

johnu
Standard Member
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert

Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 614

What about a 4 spd automatic? I forget the name they go by but check the final ratio and compare.

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Only 32 years together

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (10/18)
8/24/14 8:19am

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

I will definitely check this out.

But the stick would be---FUNNRR---

Right!!!!!

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (11/18)
8/24/14 8:24am

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

just for fun, My plate is-----GRR8WHT---

What do you all thing? ( I think its just right on my Arctic white beast :-) )

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (12/18)
8/24/14 10:27am

Sarge81

Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

If you lower your gear ratio at the rear end your gonna lose bottom end acceleration. The car will become a real dog off the line in other words. If you still have the stock 2.72 gear in the rear end, a gear change isn't really going to help you out. I'm not even sure you can get a lower ratio for that Dana 44 IRS unit. There was a 2.72 and 2.87 gear offered in '81 and '82. '80 vettes all had 3.07's.

So the only way your going to get the results you want is to bite the bullet and spring for a overdrive kit. Expensive yes, but the final result will be worth it especially if you are going to drive the car a lot like I do with mine.

Speaking of your license plate, good old "dads2vette" from Hamburg, NY has a similar plate. He stopped by the shop for new u joints in the halfshafts. Here's a pic of his car w/ plate "GRTWHT81" Dave is the one on the right. The other guy is the riff raft that stops by every so often. lol.

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (13/18)
8/25/14 6:53pm

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

Love the plate----Great minds think alike!

I have decided to swap auto to Tremec TKO 5 spd with od.

Should be a good weekend project.

I think it will give the blast of the line and a low RPM cruise.

Plus it should be fun!!

What do you think?

Here is a pic of my GR8WHT looks familiar right!!

/member_uploads/27501_27600/27535/4-arts-vette201485192958r.jpg

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (14/18)
8/25/14 7:43pm

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

forgot, its a TKO 600---0.64 5TH gear

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (15/18)
8/25/14 7:52pm

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

Guys,

Any advice on weather striping?

I need to do my window pillars, glass t-tops and doors. I have heard that the aftermarket stuff isn't that great.

What so the experts think??

Thanks again

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (16/18)
8/25/14 8:19pm

Sarge81

Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Good choice. Just get ready to cuss a lot and throw some wrenches on occasion. Lol.

It'll probably be a couple "weekends" project. Just take your time and follow the instructions to a "T." Keep us posted on your project. Great looking car!

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

Quote

Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (17/18)
8/25/14 11:15pm

kbrin
Limited Member
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coral springs, FL - USA

Vette(s):
81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!

Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71

yup i am getting my family ready for the event!! I already have new Spackle for the upcoming LOL

holes in the garage walls

Thanks she is a looker now. Kind of looks familiar right!

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Re: 81 C3 auto to 5 speed conversion (18/18)
8/29/14 9:26pm

patsaddict

Lifetime Member
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East Bridgewater, MA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Red Corvette Coupe T-Tops

Joined: 8/11/2014
Posts: 11

KOOL

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