I think the manual transmission might be considered unusual for these cars but I wouldn't go so far as to call it rare. As far as cars being optioned the way yours is, well the possible options configurations for these cars seemed virtually endless. I've yet to ever see two cars optioned the same way.

 

When I had body work done on my car a few months ago the guy that owns Church's Body Shop told me they were rare. Until then I thought it was more popular that auto's. He said one reason is people like him that run in SCCA will get every manual 3rd gen they can. So over the years this has depleted the number of sticks for us to get. He was telling me even tho my car is an RS to hold on to it because of the 5-speed. Even it will be worth something in a few years.

 

That is hilarious I always have said that anytime there is a vette camaro or any other sport/muscle car that it was such a waste, although now I know there is certain advantages to automatic trannys drag racing is one I know of.

 

Most people that buy an auto Vette, Camaro or Mustang are not thinking about racing it. Most just like the looks of the car and the ease of an auto.

 

Little known fact - There were in FACT 2 '83 Corvettes made... ehhehehe

On another note:

I've had 5 thirdgens, all V8 cars and all automatics.

87 IROC 305TPI, 90 IROC 305TPI, 91 Z28 (305TPI), 91 Z28 (305TPI - current), and 92 RS 305TBI, all were automatics.

The thing I really hate about the 700 is simply the hassle they all seem to be. Since I've not ever driven a new or even what I would consider a 700 in really nice shape, I don't know for sure, but my current 91 seems like it is NEVER in the right gear; it just always feels like a classic "slushbox". None of 'em have ever felt like a good automatic.

I want a manual sooooo bad I can't stand it; Although, I see complete T5 swap kits all the time, but they're like $1500 usually; I'm not thinking paying $1500 for a 5 speed is a good deal considering the T56's are so much more common.

Someday I'll be driving my thirdgen, instead of just steering...

 

actually there were 44 built and only one now exsist. it lives at NCM in Bowling Green.

http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1983.php

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_there_a_1983_corvette.


as for third gen stick cars, iv been watching parts aval and trying to find parts is going to be getting slim from what the suppliers have told me. NATEZ28 works at a sullier up north and gave me info on how things are slimming down.

a lil fact i uncoverd some time ago, there are 3 diff 5th gears avail in our 5speeds, well atleast the WCT5. .63, .73, and .80. .63 is most common followed by .73 which is what my car came with and .80 which is hardest to find.

if you really want a T-5 that can handle the abuse call G force and they will build you a wicked 5 that can handle a few more hundred hp than stock. i called them and got details but found out your gonna pay.

 

I've had a dozen or more third gens, only two have been factory 5-speed cars. I think that falls right in line with the statistics posted earlier. I've only had V8 cars too.

Oh, they were:
'89 IROC, 305 TPI, T5, drum rear
'84 Z-28, 305 L69, T5, drum rear

 

I've got two thirdgens with between 50-60K miles on the original 700R4, and in general around town with the transmission in OD they're always locking and unlocking, and feel a bit off. Even in perfect functioning order they're a bit iffy. Personally what I hate most is how they're all worn the hell out. You can't typically go out to the junkyard and find a good used 700R4. Most transmission places want to charge $600 and up to rebuild one, and they won't stand behind the rebuild. Aftermarket 700R4's are even more expensive. There isn't an affordable way to rebuild a 700R4. It gets really bad when you consider how little these cars are typically worth and a junk transmission can mean a thousand dollar repair.

The T5 isn't worth the trouble either. It's a weak, overpriced transmission, that's hard to find. With T56's falling from the sky, and the swap easily documented, there's no reason to mess with the T5 unless you get it dirt cheap (under $500 for everything).

 

I have had 2 factory 5-speeds, 1 '86 and 1 '92. plus my friend had an '89 and a '91. All camaros except the '91, which was a 1le formula of which they made 46. 3 of them were hardtops, other one was t-top. they are very easy to find in my area. At least 5 or 6 on craigslist at any given time. Plus my GTA is now a stick.

 

When I was a young guy in the late 80's and mid 90's, it seemed every other Trans Am I looked at buying was a 5 speed.

 

Here is one now. If I sell my Iroc I might buy it.
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1749792053.html

 

love the manual transmission - heaps of fun to drive! I didn't realise that the LB9 T5 Irocz convertible is a desirable combination. What makes mine "rare" is that it's right hand drive :-)

Probably when i'm old some wealthy USA collector will purchase it, ship it back to good ol' USA and convert it back to left hand drive. Good as new :-)

 

True

It could not pass Cal downshift emission standards, as if everyone engines brakes but it blew dirt on down shift. But you can find folks who got a 350 T5 special order from a dealer. But if its not 50 state legal, GM don't usually make it.

 

Stick shift 3rd gen of any engine size are sort of like a dirt bike or gokart, once for sale it usually ends up gone quick among their circle of friends, or their friends, friends, but they rarley make it to the paper. Espically if for a good deal.

I was esatic to find a Black stick Firebird for $795 and all though bumpy at times, been a great 10 or so years.

 

i purchased a one owner 1986 Z28 a few years back. Equipped without power options, it was ordered and is truly a joy to drive. After a few auto 3rd gens, this is the most fun.

Of course it's the LG4/5spd combo and for the stock engine, it handles the power well. No plans to modify except change the tranny fluid.

 

Well.... 806 GTA with 5 speed in 88... Kinda rare

 

I have a 92 Camaro RS Stock 305 5 speed with 65,000 miles. Came with t tops. Is this care rare?

 

yeah.

 

Messing with these cars last for over a decade. For what I have seen, V6/Man cars are more common then V8/MAN


Me specializing in 82-84 Birds, Only 1 '82 T/A I parted had the 4-speed. Rest had auto's !!!


Dave

 

Depends upon what you consider rare.

1,273 1992 Camaro RS with CC1 t-top and MB1 5-speed Borg Warner Transmission.


66% of mine are - 4 stick LB9's, two L98's.

 

My 1991 Firebird, 305 TBI T5

 

Nice

 

I'm at 66% as well, now!

 

I have an 89 vert 5 speed in Vancouver. I have seen lots of t tops with 5 speed but the convertible seems very rare.

 

There was about 1639 L03 Firebird (coupe) with the 5 speed.
The more unusual option is the lack of A/C there was only 666 of those (nice number eh?)

 

Maybe some holy water in the coolant or windshield reservoir might help ??


Dave

 

Here's a 92 hardtop LO3/ 5-spd for sale in Portland, OR

According to Compnine 1 of 676 made

If it were closer,I would grab it since its a 5-spd car

Dave

 

anyone have build numbers for 91-92 TPI 5 speeds? The speed density 5 speeds seem like the ones for performance

 

I have a 87 vert 5 speed in Vancouver as well - Probably not too many others here in town.

 

Older brother had a 88 Firebird with the 5 speed. Was looking to replace it in 92, waited for the 4 gens to come out, sure didn't like what he saw there so he special ordered a 92 with usual options and the five speed tranny. Took a month to get it, might be a real late build in a third gen. Still has it, looks and drives as new. But he is now 75 years old and it sits in the garage with a battery tender on it.

 

Have owned an 89 Z-28 (305) coupe with 5-speed and a/c for 25 years. Was my daily driver until it turned 25 years old and qualified for historic plates. Originally had been looking for an IROC convertible with stick and a/c, but gave up the search after about a year, and settled for the coupe.

 

This is with the 3.42 axle: Cars with the 3.08 axle got a different manual transmission (M39). The V6 cars also got a different transmission (MB1). NO Convertibles with the MK6 trans from 1990-1992 they were either MB1 w/V6, or M36 w/V8.

Information from Compnine.

1990 MK6
IROC - 295
Formula, T/A, GTA - 480

1991 MK6
Camaro - 1,112
Formula, T/A, GTA - 1,080

1992 MK6
Camaro - 568
Formula, T/A, GTA -223

John

 

My 83 factory T5 with 3.73 gears.

 

Thanks John; more than I thought but still a small percentage of circa 2mil thirdgen's made (~0.15%).

Hottest accessible thirdgen manual car; pick 'em whilst you can

 

Lol, Ill try that and see if it helps.

1 of 666 is pretty cool tho.

 

Hello All...first Real post here..I have a couple of Firebirds in storage..1984 TA 305 HO 5 speed Ac ws6 4 wheel disc 3.73 Turbines White w/Silver accents Grey cloth interior...1988 Firebird T-Top V8 5 speed Throttle body I bought with no engine or trans just for the doors on another project I had but kept because it is rust free...it was in the process of being parted out when purchased and I have since installed 350 700 r4 and it STILL needs an interior.

 

The other day while browsing north east area Craigslist ads I found one 83 l69, one base 305 5 speed, and a TBI firebird 5 speed.