Vz senator manual gearbox

[renison0]

I know vz senators only come in auto. I have a senator with low km in immaculate condition thinking about manual conversion but the handbrake (wife) thinks it should be kept original. Just some thoughts personally I think it would be a great conversion. My wife is just worried that it will decrease the value. Please help me convince her that it would be ok thanks.

[Micks]

You could do the conversion & keep original setup stored & refit before you sell! Just a thought.

[renison0]

I did tell the wife that mate. You an me know you would never change it back. Thinking it would make it a better car.

[Micks]

Yes especially so if you but the later VZ box for it!

[smash69]

There probably a few people out there who would buy a manual senator over an auto car given the choice.
I would, but I converted both my last 2 cars to manual ( one being a stato so no manual option, the other a great price but auto at the time).

These days resale values are pretty crap anyway. Buyers market. May as well enjoy the car while you own it.

[Toddler78]

As above you could keep all the orginal parts for it, thats what I do. I think the days of a car being $xxxxxxx in 20 years time are long gone

[GR346]

Got a mate in ACT that's done the conversion on the same car (stroked Z senator) and he loves it

I think its a great conversion personally - only reason I didn't grab a senator is cause it was auto and I didn't want to do the conversion process so if anything, I think it would increase the appeal on the market. Just keep your parts for later

[Angeldust]

yeah one of the reasons i got a clubbie over a senator is because its manual.

I think it will add to the desireability of it. (not necessarily $$ value)

[Micks]

Yeah but the Z Senators just look

[Stevieboy34]

There probably a few people out there who would buy a manual senator over an auto car given the choice.
I would, but I converted both my last 2 cars to manual ( one being a stato so no manual option, the other a great price but auto at the time).

These days resale values are pretty crap anyway. Buyers market. May as well enjoy the car while you own it.

Sorry to thread jack mate but I would love some more info on your conversions mate. I've got a VE auto love the car but would really love to go manual. Thinking about advertising for a straight swap with a manual car that wants auto. How big was the job. Are you in NSW?

[smash69]

Sorry to thread jack mate but I would love some more info on your conversions mate. I've got a VE auto love the car but would really love to go manual. Thinking about advertising for a straight swap with a manual car that wants auto. How big was the job. Are you in NSW?

Both conversions were pre VE mate. Pretty straightforward if you got all the parts. I assume that a VE would be a similar changeover, in that if the platform came with a manual option, then its not a huge deal if your handy.
I did a WH stato cause it kept breaking autos after the L98 went in, and a CV8 cause it was a mint buy, and I find autos boring.
I'm in NSW. PM me if I can help.

[smash69]

Both conversions were pre VE mate. Pretty straightforward if you got all the parts. I assume that a VE would be a similar changeover, in that if the platform came with a manual option, then its not a huge deal if your handy.
I did a WH stato cause it kept breaking autos after the L98 went in, and a CV8 cause it was a mint buy, and I find autos boring.
I'm in NSW. PM me if I can help.

I should add though, if you haven't got a stack already invested in your car, and get decent money for it or swap it, that may be the cheaper option. Unless you can pick up a smashed manual car cheap for a donor.

[renison0]

Thanks guys not intending to sell car looks like cost will be around 4-5 grand will do most of the work myself think it will be worth it. My last ride was a 6 ltr crewman manual much prefer manual.

[Micks]

Thanks guys not intending to sell car looks like cost will be around 4-5 grand will do most of the work myself think it will be worth it. My last ride was a 6 ltr crewman manual much prefer manual.

If you like the car don't be put off doing a conversion! If it's done properly will still be a pleasure to drive. After all you can't sell your Senator & buy the same in a manual.
Unless you downgrade to a Clubbie!

[Davothegreat]

I too bought my VZ Clubby because I couldn't get a VZ Senator in a manual. If you do go through with the conversion you'll be the envy of everyone here who likes pre-VE cars. If you can, grab a gearbox from a VZ HSV with the shorter ratios and shorter shifter than the older cars, I think they call it M112.