66 Vette

moetot said:

who makes a good interchange book for c2 vettes.
(ie) which parts from other years are the same, what has to changed to convert from 4-speed to auto etc?
moe

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Moetot,

I have done the swap to a 200r4. Things you will need:

Shifter: Best to get a shifter for a 65-67 as they bolt to the floor and not to the tranny. Shifterworks sells a conversion kit to a 4sp automatic. It comes with gates and new overlays for the automatic console. I opted for the RetroTek push button shift and paddle shifter, not cheap, I paid 1500 for the shifter but after you start looking for a stock shifter, auto console, and shifter conversion kit you won't be far off. Unless your lucky and come across one cheaper or just go an aftermarket shifter (cheapest route)


Tranny: I went with a 200r4 because it fits in the stock tranny tunnel. Has an even gearing from 1 to overdrive. You can use one wire to a positive lead so the lock up converter will lock up in overdrive so you can do without an expensive computor to manage lockup. You will want a 200r4 tranny coded BRF. They come from Buick Grand Nationals, Olds 442, and Monte Carlo SS. They had a different Valve bodies, servos, and couple of other differences. They hold up to 400-500hp reliable.

Crossmember: The mount point is farther back, so you will need to decide if your willing to cut the crossmember or go through so headache install & removing the tranny. You have 3 options:

1. cut stock crossmember as to make the center removeable and add a homemade adapter to move mount back 1 3/4 (if I remember right).
2. cut out stock crossmember and use a crossmember from bowtie overdrive. They have one for a c3 conversion and it works on a c2. I called them and they say they don't know but I bought one and tried it and it works. It bolts to the side rails. You will need to drill holes in the side rails to mount the crossmember just like a c3. I can link pics if you need them.
3. Just add an adapter but anytime you need to install or remove the tranny you will probably have to remove the engine also.

Pedals: You could use the stock pedals or you can buy an automatic pedal. To install it is easiest if you remove the stock steering column and remove the pedal bracket. You will need the pedal and the pin that replaces the clutch pedal pin. Both available at most corvette vendors.

Driveshaft: You will need a new driveshaft. Most any driveshaft can make one easily.

Mine cost quite a bit for me but I went to the extreme: Tranny 4000, converter 900, shifter 1500, crossmember 180, pedal parts less then 100, drive shaft 400, total 7,080

If on a budget I would think it would be tranny & converter 1000 (a good source for used 200r4 is the Turbo Buick Forum), crossmember 180, driveshaft 200, and pedal 100, stock shifter is a big ?, if lucky I would think 500-700 (aftermarket shifter 100-200) for a total of around 2000.

If you have any other questions I would be happy to help.

Chuck