Zephyr - I6 - Shift kit?

[nitroracer]

I found a zephyr for cheap locally and Im going to look at the car when I have some time off around turkey day. Its a 79' sedan with and I6/auto and A/C. I was looking into a T5 swap for a fun project but that looks like a pain in the ass, so I got to thinking about modifing the C4 trans it should have. I was thinking go beyond a shift kit and buy a performance automatic valve body so I can manually shift the car without wrecking the transmission. If I did that would I run into any problems since its column shifted?

[rbohm]

8) the only problem would be that you would need to be extra careful when shifting manually. the column shifter doesnt have any lock outs to prevent you accidently shifting to neutral.

[nitroracer]

I was looking around some more, and I was told manual valve bodies are meant strictly for racing - is that true? I just want it as an alternative to swapping a manual trans since I'll never find the right bell housing for the older style I6 block.

[rbohm]

8) i would not use a full manual valve body on the street. the shifts are too harsh, even after tuning the valve body.

[nitroracer]

I guess its not what I was thinking a manual valvebody would be. If I get the car I think it'll end up with a mild shift kit to make driving a little more spirited. Looks like B&M and TransGo make some kits for C4's at a good price.

[drivesa5]

I run a full manual valvebody on the street in both the AODs in my 89 mustang and 85 LTD LX and love it! Not sure how it'd be behind the 85hp i6. Some of these (like my 82 fairmont) have a c5, and I'm not sure if you can use a c4 vb in one because of how the c5 has the timing body? but I'd check to be sure beforehand. Anyway, if you think hard shifts aren't fun then full manual is not for you. Personally I like it!

Also, you could probably put in a different shifter (floor), if you wanted...