What trans to select for resale

[johnny rockett]

I am building a nice 67 Camaro with an ls engine to sell. What would be better for resale.......stick or auto? I wuld like to hear from this forum with some votes
Thanks

[dstryr]

Resale value? I'm thinking the m6... Most people like the six speeds in their "toys"

[johnny rockett]

If the wife cant drive the car you might have a hard time selling it with a stick.......anybody concur?

[70bird]

If the wife cant drive the car you might have a hard time selling it with a stick.......anybody concur?

I agree. For resale auto may be better, but for god's sake, teach her to drive a stick!
Mark

[BlindSideCustoms]

depends on who your selling to, a collector or person with lots of cash OR just your normal guy wanting a hot rod. the collector/rich guy's wife probably would be driving her x5 bmw and not care about the camaro. most people i know dont buy something their wife can drive and hell the wife doesnt want to drive it. what woman would want to hear their husband after they hit a curb or did something to damage his baby? in my opinion 6 speed in a camaro would help it, now in a older more conservative/less muscle machine yes id say go auto if you wanted to. the m6 is also a good buying point i dont know of any guy that wouldnt buy one because of it, but i know many that would buy it and the same car sitting side by side with a a4 and pay more for the m6

[jaybee]

As with all sale situations it's all about the buyer. An older buyer, rich guy who just wants to profile, or "street rod" sort of buyer will prefer an auto. An enthusiast driver or someone with fond memories of rowing a Hurst shifter in anger will prefer the stick. IMO you can find a buyer for it either way without too much trouble.

[johnny rockett]

These were ALL good answers.......I am at that point of deciding.

I started this project and changed my mind in the middle of it wanting what I had in high school...a 55 chevy 2 dr post..

But all were good points...the automatic is cheaper.....a 4l60e bolts right in but then you need some electronics to control it..........so maybe the stick cost would be the same?

One more question: Why a heavy 6 speed with an extra gear you never use anyway? Why not a TKO 600 five speed with only one overdrive?
I cant understand all the hype about a T56? Who need that big suker under there and why do you need two overdrives>?

I am curious?

[Tom 72RS/SS]

I kinda agree with jaybee on the subject but I tend to be of the opinion that muscle cars and sticks go hand in hand. When I was looking for another Camaro I wouldn't even consider an auto, but that's me.
But remember for "resale", that time and time again at the B-J Auction, the stick cars always bring more money than the autos everytime.

[67rsssls]

My wife would never let me buy a performance car without a manual tranny. She loves to bang gears just as much as I do.

[Restomod]

OH GEEESSSS not anouther " What can I build to sell it for $$ thread"..........

[Vegas69]

If the wife cant drive the car you might have a hard time selling it with a stick.......anybody concur?

If you are that whipped you can't buy mine...I want it going to a good home.

[bigvegan]

6 speed manual. End of discussion.

One more question: Why a heavy 6 speed with an extra gear you never use anyway? Why not a TKO 600 five speed with only one overdrive? I cant understand all the hype about a T56? Who need that big suker under there and why do you need two overdrives>?

Higher top end, closer gear ratios, better gas mileage. Oh, and people do use the 6th gear. Remember the dreaded 2nd/3rd gear lockout that came on the 90s Vettes/Camaros with 6 speeds? That's because the V8 engine had enough torque that you could use 1-4-5-6 as a 4 speed and save some gas. When I owned a Camaro of that vintage, I shifted that way in daily driving even though the lockout had been removed because the city mpg was so abysmal.

(Think about why you're not putting a 2-speed Powerglide in there, as the reasons are basically the same.)

If you're building a pro-touring car, it should be a six-speed, but it definitely should be a stick.

If you're going for ProStreet, then you can get away with a built up TH350/TH400, and if you're going for a street rod, then you can throw in whatever you want and sell it to the "Ooooh, shiny!" crowd.

If you're going for the motorsports capable vibe, you might be able to chuck in a 4 speed stick and some other bargain circle track parts, run it through some autocrosses and track days, and sell it as a Retro-SCCA-Trans-Am inspired vehicle, as these seem to be gaining in popularity. Plus, yours would have some actual track (or "track") time. This could be built on a reasonable budget.

I guess it all depends on what market you're going for.

If it's a one-off thing, do whatever you want and hope for the best. If you're planning on building and selling more than one of these, and would like to get a decent reputation for the cars you've built (and the accompanying increase in value), then it helps to use the right stuff.

Is it just me, or does it seem like building a mid-level PT Camaro for profit is an exercise in futility?

[MrQuick]

You know it depends on the buying crowd. I've sold dozens of cars in the past and its always been " Man if it was only a 4 speed car" then next time around it would be " wish it were automatic". Its just what ever is in the cards. But you know if it had a cool feature ie: paddle shifters or a custom pistol grip then its anybody's game.

Just a note. I had more 4 speed calls on the last one I sold.

[Iamtheonlyreal1]

Ha Ha.....I am not the only one....LOL...

[MrQuick]

dude, quit being a goof ball.

[cheapthrillz]

dude, quit being a goof ball.

x2 agreed!

[parsonsj]

6 speed manual. End of discussion.

The TKO-600 is a better choice for a lot of people. It is stronger, lighter, has more shifter options, more speedometer options, and can be had with a track-useful .82 OD 5th gear. It's also a good choice for a car with a high hp engine that isn't very happy cruising at 1500-2000 rpm.

jp

[ProdigyCustoms]

8 out of 10 cars we do are manual transmission, 5 or 6 speeds. So from a desirability stand point, I would think manual trans is most desirable. If I were building it to sell, it is what I would do.

[johnny rockett]

Looks like you guys convinced me....on the stick anyway.....But I still for the life me dont see using 6 gears when you can really get the same benefit out of a five speed.......2 overdrives just no make sense......even though I am trying to make sense of it.......


also the 6 speed trans is very heavy compared to a TKO 600

The TKO will handle 600 ft pounds of torque so uless your making over 7oo hp this trans seems to be suffcient for the power.

This car is very well thought out except for the trans situation. I figure the automatic (electric four speed 4l80e or 4l60 e) will be the same cost as a stick with all the electronics etc....

[ProdigyCustoms]

Yeah, i like the TKO 600 to, but you will be able to find a T56 that was born behind a LS1 for half the cost of a new TKO 600, which I doubt very serious you will find used. If it is for resale, you need to protect your cost. If you need a new trans, I can hook you up but you will spend nearly $4000 for what you can do for a couple grand with a used T56 and a ATS installation kit.