Would you ever put a 4 spd into a #'s matching auto car?

[runninhorn]

Just wondering, if you really wanted a 4 speed car, but found what you wanted in an auto #'s matching 383 car, would you put a 4 speed in it or is that just a no-no?

[kab69440]

Sure would. And wouldn't give it a second thought, either.

[Drache]

if you bought the car as an investment then no, but if you bought the car for yourself to have fun in, the way you wanted then sure!

[runninhorn]

if you bought the car as an investment then no, but if you bought the car for yourself to have fun in, the way you wanted then sure!

do you think if it was already restored 100%, and you did that, it would affect the value of the car much? you buy it to enjoy, but say 4 years later you want to sell it to invest in some real estate, would it affect the value that much ya think?

[AKcharger]

I'd save all the auto parts and make the swap, if you really wanted to change you'd be set.

For my 2 cents, I think the "all original" is monotonous it's nice to do something a little diffrent

[Drache]

if you bought the car as an investment then no, but if you bought the car for yourself to have fun in, the way you wanted then sure!

do you think if it was already restored 100%, and you did that, it would affect the value of the car much? you buy it to enjoy, but say 4 years later you want to sell it to invest in some real estate, would it affect the value that much ya think?

If it was some super rare optioned auto then yes I'd keep it numbers matching. If not then no, put the 4 speed in as it might even up the value but keep the auto tranny for if you ever do decide to sell it.

[Charger1973]

I think if theres a chance you will sell it in the near future you are wasting your money because it wont be cheap and it wont help the value..  it may even hurt it depending on the car.  Id keep it original unless its something you know you will keep.

[runninhorn]

I think if theres a chance you will sell it in the near future you are wasting your money because it wont be cheap and it wont help the value..  it may even hurt it depending on the car.  Id keep it original unless its something you know you will keep.

70 #'s matching 340 Cuda. But I want a Tremec TKO 5 speed in the car for highway driving. Would you just put the auto tranny in the corner of the garage and install the TKO 5 speed?

[Daytona R/T SE]

Sure would. And wouldn't give it a second thought, either.

[69charger2002]

i also agree. do what you want you only live once
the factory wasn't God.. just because they made it automatic. doesn't mean it has to stay that way forever

[runninhorn]

how important is a car being an R/T to you guys? Care much or not?

[runninhorn]

what if you wanted Go Mango but it was B5?

[runninhorn]

so no hard feelings hacking this into a 5 speed?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-DODGE-CHALLENGER-RT-25-961ORIGINAL-MILES_W0QQitemZ140137713316QQihZ004QQcategoryZ6198QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[kab69440]

Not a single one. Had I the cash and/or parts on hand, in that manual tranny would go. Another thought, if you only want the mileage of the OD is the Gear Vendors unit. There can't be much price differential between that and a full on aftermarket 5-speed swap. It would likely be a lot less heartache to perform, too.

[Ghoste]

Do the manual trans conversion and enjoy the car.  We spend too much time worrying about value and investment and numbers matching.    Think of it as a high class clone.

[Charger1973]

Dont get me wrong I love the 4 speed idea, I just think if you plan to sell the car, especially in the near future, it could hurt the value.  Plus it can be an expensive swap.  Im going to be putting a 4 speed in my 73 but its was just a 318 auto car so the value can only go up...  Id never sell mine anyway.   

[bull]

i also agree. do what you want you only live once
the factory wasn't God.. just because they made it automatic. doesn't mean it has to stay that way forever

No? 

The only thing that would stop me from doing this conversion is all the work involved. But I happen to think the value would increase with a auto to 4spd swap (if done right).

[Bandit72]

so no hard feelings hacking this into a 5 speed?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-DODGE-CHALLENGER-RT-25-961ORIGINAL-MILES_W0QQitemZ140137713316QQihZ004QQcategoryZ6198QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

if it's done right there would be no real "hacking" involved....i would do it in a heart-beat....

[BrianShaughnessy]

Just wondering, if you really wanted a 4 speed car, but found what you wanted in an auto #'s matching 383 car, would you put a 4 speed in it or is that just a no-no?

I'd slap a 5 speed iin it or even the Keisler auto before I was stuck in the slow lane.   Too many people worry about the value of their car more than their driving pleasure.  My criteria is a lot looser than some... it'd have to be a numbers matching HEMI / R/T  or a 69 500 / Daytona for me not to change it.    And being that I don't want to own a numbers matching car like those - I won't have to worry about it.

[six-tee-nine]

I'd rather have my non numbers matching auto Charger in wich i'm gonna put a 4speed or maybe even a Keisler 5speed.

I don't have to worry about cutting up my all #'s matching R/T...
My Charger was a 383 auto car from wich the original block and tranny were missing. Do you really think it's gonna be worth so much less when it has a 440 with a brandnew aftermarket 5 speed in it
I'm not wealthy enough to buy several chargers so the only one i have will be 100% what i want it to be.

Now in your case i would keep the #'s matching parts for sure because in another 20 to 30 years these cars will step up to another level of value and by that time original restored all #'s matching cars will really make the difference.

But then again are you in it to make money within 30 years or do you want a car that lives up to your dream?

[runninhorn]

thanks guys, my search is still on and i will be reconsidering the autos I found.

my next questions are this--

1) If it wasnt an R/T car, would you make it one with the parts or hold out for an R/T car?

2)IF the color wasnt your favorite, would you buy it and later paint it your favorite or hold out for the color you wanted?

Trying to determine what consolations to make and what to hold out for in my search.

thanks again

[TruckDriver]

Sure would. And wouldn't give it a second thought, either.

[70charger_boy]

how important is a car being an R/T to you guys? Care much or not?

Alot of the diehard collectors go cookoo for R/T's.  I've been looking for 4 years now and it's odd to me that most of the cars out there are RT's.  I have just learned to stay away from buying them, because I'm suspicious.  If I had the money to buy one I would have no problem hacking it up to put a 4 speed or 5 speed in it.  I think it would only add to the value.  If you have to sell, the potential buyer would try to bust your chops saying its not original, but who gives a f'ck?  Auto's are for grandmas

[runninhorn]

 

[Brock Samson]

   let me ask you a question...

What would be your ideal?.. model colors options?... 

what's your realistic budget?.. 

Challanger?.. or Charger?... Larry's Daytona?..