[jce1225]

I own a 2017 CTS-V with 10K miles, of course with an automatic transmission. Although I originally salivated over the release of the new CT5-V Blackwing, I really don't care for the extended backglass that makes the car look like an afterthought.

I live in the Denver metro area and am looking for a reputable shop to transform my V3 from an automatic to a 6-speed manual. I understand that this also includes significant computer and instrument panel changes/upgrades.

I've found a number of "restoration" shops in the area but have no clue as to their ability to make this change appear seamless. I'm guessing I would need to invest about $50K to make the transition, but if it is done correctly, it would be less expensive than buying a new Blackwing.

I am not opposed to sending the car out of state for the transition, but all the car shows that demonstrate the quality that I want are no longer taking new customers. Can someone on this forum suggest how/where I might get this transition taken care of, with final quality and build quality equivalent to my original V3? Thank you for your input.

 

[djdonte]

I'm sure you dont want to hear this but there is no way the cost of your 17 V3 plus the expected 50K will be less than a new blackwing. To start, you would need a donor powertrain from a ZL1, or a crate engine/trans to the tune of 25K (half your budget). Not even sure where the shifter would go in that console. Ask a guy named Chuck Anders of Houston House of Power. I dont think he does such custom work, but he breathes GM muscle and might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[jce1225]

DJ, not sure whether you have seen "Bitchin' Rides" on MoterTrend TV. They do this type of conversion in their sleep. Furthermore, my V3 is paid off, so you can't factor in the current cost of my V3 in the equation. And what's the business about needing a donor powertrain (which usually includes the cost of an engine)? I already have the engine I need. I simply need to buy a new 6-speed from GM, which significantly reduces the cost of the renovation. I understand that some engine-control mods would be required. The new shifter would of course be placed in the console, but of course the new console would have to be ordered or custom-made. I see that you also own a V3. Hopefully, you can see my dilemma and potentially inexpensive mods that are required.

 

[Ice-947]

You're joking right? God I hope he is. Don't destroy a beautiful car. If you want a manual and you have THIS MUCH Money.... Buy the new one.... Christ smh. A fool and his money will often part ways quickly.

You "simply"... Keep watching reality shows... They'd laugh you out if the shop. Sorry but this thread needs to be closed for the simplistic fact... The ecu. Can bus, relative amount of electronics... Sure knock the trans tunnel add a six... Or an 8 hell... Why don't you put a lambo v10 in it and make it trans axle and mount the engine in the trunk...

This is not the single dumbest thread of the week, but it's close. Buy a vette... Our cars ain't perfect but don't go ruin another limited example because you saw a TV show and think a trans and a bang out will make your dreams come true.

SMH...

"inexpensive mods" lol that's a laugh....

Ps in their sleep. Most of what they do are rest-mods... This isn't a resto-mod.... God... I'm in awe and this is why people destroy beautiful cars because someone on TV told them to. Save your money, sell the car lord knows its worth more than you bought it.... And go get something more your speed. Like an Evo.... Honda... Or a tesla..

Learn a thing or two about modern cars....

 

[randeez]

Eh I'm bored...here goes

I dont think it would be that bad... but no shops probably going to take you seriously until you do some leg work and mechanical work yourself.

saying I want a 6speed completely integrated, fully functional, not giving up a single oem amenity. Every single shop is going to see that you aren't ever going to be satisfied unless it came straight from gm. "Making it work" I don't think would be too bad. And could be very easily done with an aftermarket ecu. But there so much integration between every module in the car retaining everything oem is very unlikely

Hard Parts wise, just steal it all from a zl1. Pedal, shifter, tr6060/clutch/flywheel, tcm?, almost every other gm tcm can be set to a manual trans it'll still want to know iss/vss, gear ratios, temp, etc etc etc. I just haven't looked at an unlocked t87/87a to know off hand.

80% of this can be installed pretty easily with oem parts. The integration will be by far the most time consuming. And this is where the horror stories of vehicles sitting at shops for months and months. And you'll have to be willing to have an $80k lawn ornament until you make some concessions on the build

 

[djdonte]

Those car shows are just like the home flipping shows where the house is a roach infested nightmare. Cut to a few shots of a pretty girl making holes in drywall with an 8 pound sledge and boom! Two commercial breaks later its on the market for 650K!

 

[Rboughne1]

Swap electronics with a zl1 and you're going to eff-up and/or lose a TON of functionality, right down to the adjustable seat functions on Recaros, bc it runs Cadillac CUE, which is brand proprietary. You cannot even switch from the standard seats to the Recaro seats (or vice versa) in these cars without hassle bc the CUE software is totally different between them. There's just too many electronics in these cars today to do what you want; It ain't your father's Oldsmobile.

It'd be cheaper, and far more electronically functional, for you to stretch a ZL1 to 4 doors, than to do what you propose.

 

[Karch]

Wish I could find a place for $650k. Lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[justinschmidt1]

You cannot even switch from the standard seats to the Recaro seats (or vice versa) in these cars without hassle bc the CUE software is totally different between them.

Everyone said this to me in regards to my ATSV which had standard seats, and I threw a set of recaros in it, everything worked perfect, and the adjustment popped right up on the Cue with no update to the software or anything.

As far as a 6 speed swap, im sure it could be done, but not sure it would be easy and cheap.

 

[MyronGains]

Everyone said this to me in regards to my ATSV which had standard seats, and I threw a set of recaros in it, everything worked perfect, and the adjustment popped right up on the Cue with no update to the software or anything.

As far as a 6 speed swap, im sure it could be done, but not sure it would be easy and cheap.

IIRC there's a thread kicking around here (can't find it of course) where a guy attempted to swap in the Recaros. To my knowledge the project failed because the seats are coded to the VIN on the car they were removed from and I don't think he found a way around it.

 

[04chase]

there was a guy who swapped his v2 to manual but did have some lose of functions from what i recall. it was a race car though and driven as such.

I personally would also just sell the v3 and buy a ct5bw but to each his own.

the physical part wouldnt be hard , bolting up t56 ot 6060 will leave room and shouldnt need much clearance , where the shifter will sit may take some work but nothing too bad id imagine.

hardest part would be getting the car to function 100% normal without lights , being the car never was designed with a manual , without complete gm support , i feel it will always have a few gremlins.

 

[MrSurly]

Furthermore, my V3 is paid off, so you can't factor in the current cost of my V3 in the equation.

These are the words of a fool.
You have an object of value. Whether you own it outright or not doesn’t alter its value. In the analysis of the efficacy of your proposed project, its value is DIRECTLY a component as it is perfectly liquid/ sellable and its value in today’s market is likely even more than you guess. That elevated current value plus the cost of conversion are certainly more than a Blackwing OR tremendously more than the lowest-mile-most perfect V2 M6 car out there.

Here’s another important point:
IF you were able to get this done and done perfectly you might actually increase the value of your car. Probably not including the conversion costs.
If it is done IMperfectly… some functions don’t work, something looks even the least bit ‘cobbled’, you are going to greatly reduce its value.
If it winds up stuck in implementation limbo, you could lose value and use of it, or wind up with a track car.



HowEVER! It’s your car and money and if you tear into this, mo powah to ya!
I’ll happily follow along and I think an m6 V3 would be fantastic.
I’m ALL FOR IT on your dime.
keep us informed.

 

[randeez]

also if he wants an m6 because of driving a zl1/ct5bw, its going to be real tough to get no lift shifting, rev matching, launch control, etc to work on a hacked together build.

same boat though! im not trying to discourage you from going for it, just want to make sure that blank check has enough backing to make it exactly how you envision

 

[Slizzo]

there was a guy who swapped his v2 to manual but did have some lose of functions from what i recall. it was a race car though and driven as such.

Far, far different thing swapping a manual into a car in which it was an option and the car had been engineered for it, than to try and drop it into a car in which a manual was never going to be a thing in the first place.

There's a few reasons why GM didn't offer the V3 in a manual, and you're fixing to find them all out yourself if you try to do this, OP.

 

[Rboughne1]

Far, far different thing swapping a manual into a car in which it was an option and the car had been engineered for it, than to try and drop it into a car in which a manual was never going to be a thing in the first place.

There's a few reasons why GM didn't offer the V3 in a manual, and you're fixing to find them all out yourself if you try to do this, OP.

Hear, hear!

 

[Jake19999]

I own a 2017 CTS-V with 10K miles, of course with an automatic transmission. Although I originally salivated over the release of the new CT5-V Blackwing, I really don't care for the extended backglass that makes the car look like an afterthought.

I live in the Denver metro area and am looking for a reputable shop to transform my V3 from an automatic to a 6-speed manual. I understand that this also includes significant computer and instrument panel changes/upgrades.

I've found a number of "restoration" shops in the area but have no clue as to their ability to make this change appear seamless. I'm guessing I would need to invest about $50K to make the transition, but if it is done correctly, it would be less expensive than buying a new Blackwing.

I am not opposed to sending the car out of state for the transition, but all the car shows that demonstrate the quality that I want are no longer taking new customers. Can someone on this forum suggest how/where I might get this transition taken care of, with final quality and build quality equivalent to my original V3? Thank you for your input.

I think you are watching too much t v the car shows are bs as someone who works on and collects cars you are wasting your money and just buy the new one and you will never get back your investment on the v3!

 

[rdollie]

I own a 2017 CTS-V with 10K miles, of course with an automatic transmission. Although I originally salivated over the release of the new CT5-V Blackwing, I really don't care for the extended backglass that makes the car look like an afterthought.

I live in the Denver metro area and am looking for a reputable shop to transform my V3 from an automatic to a 6-speed manual. I understand that this also includes significant computer and instrument panel changes/upgrades.

I've found a number of "restoration" shops in the area but have no clue as to their ability to make this change appear seamless. I'm guessing I would need to invest about $50K to make the transition, but if it is done correctly, it would be less expensive than buying a new Blackwing.

I am not opposed to sending the car out of state for the transition, but all the car shows that demonstrate the quality that I want are no longer taking new customers. Can someone on this forum suggest how/where I might get this transition taken care of, with final quality and build quality equivalent to my original V3? Thank you for your input.

Just buy the BW in black and you won't notice that piece very long plus you can have fun with it - I put a subtle blackwing logo there since the car has none. Loved my V3 but not missing it much (if I had to ride in back it would be a different story though.)

 

[Eighthtry]

My opinion? Do what you damn well want to do. Howsoever, use the Corvette 7 speed. 7th is a true overdrive. It should save you enough in gas to pay for the swap.

 

[RedTXV]

How did I miss THIS gem that’s been around for a week???

 

[Eighthtry]

How did I miss THIS gem that’s been around for a week???

I was thinking the same thing. I hope jce1225 keeps us updated.