Auto to Manual

panthro · 24 Jun 2006 at 00:09

How feasible is it to change an auto gearbox to a manual gearbox, if the automatic car in question has a manual brother? Can it be a straight swap or is it more complex?

moss · 24 Jun 2006 at 00:10

panthro said:
How feasible is it to change an auto gearbox to a manual gearbox, if the automatic car in question has a manual brother? Can it be a straight swap or is it more complex?

Depends on the car, usually its fairly tricky and probably easier to buy manual version if availiable.

panthro · 24 Jun 2006 at 00:26

moss said:
Depends on the car, usually its fairly tricky and probably easier to buy manual version if availiable.

For example, if it was very hard to get hold of the spec car you wanted in manual, but the availability of a manual gearbox was not a problem. The car in question is a Supra (sorry, I am off on one about these cars, but I get a little obsessed once I get an idea in my head)

Lashout_UK · 24 Jun 2006 at 00:44

You'll usually need (for the box to fit, at least), flywheel, clutch, gearbox, gearbox crossmember or mountings, transmission tunnel (or modifiy to suit), gearstick, interior trim.

Then of course you'll need to find and add the clutch pedal, sort the linkages, add the fluid reservoir, make sure it all works and is safe.

Oh and propshaft, if it's of differing length

Probably missed summat there but it's late

And possibly a new speedo drive cable/sender.

Adz · 24 Jun 2006 at 01:13

Isn't the auto 'box the one to have with the Supra anyway, hence why there are so many of them about? It's more of a cruiser than a sports car so the auto probably suits it quite well.

Disclaimer: One could be talking from one's rectum

pinkaardvark · 24 Jun 2006 at 01:21

Adz said:
Isn't the auto 'box the one to have with the Supra anyway, hence why there are so many of them about? It's more of a cruiser than a sports car so the auto probably suits it quite well.

Disclaimer: One could be talking from one's rectum

Never liked the idea of a twin turbo changing gear mid bend without my direct instruction

Adz · 24 Jun 2006 at 01:23

pinkaardvark said:
Never liked the idea of a twin turbo changing gear mid bend without my direct instruction

Suppose you might have a point there

but I guess that's why god invented traction control...

Clarkey · 24 Jun 2006 at 01:52

not really an issue, you'd never be at full boost mid corner anyway, unless you were insane or trying your hand at drifting.

mattx2 · 24 Jun 2006 at 01:54

I take it your talking about the mkiv supra, if so check out this guide

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/auto_to_6spd_swap/index.html

unless you could do all the labour yourself it would be cheaper to buy the manual version theres plenty around some going for as little as 7/8k

also at least try the auto version its a very good box and not like normal auto's its changes are very predictable and smooth

panthro · 24 Jun 2006 at 10:46

mattx2 said:
I take it your talking about the mkiv supra, if so check out this guide

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/auto_to_6spd_swap/index.html

unless you could do all the labour yourself it would be cheaper to buy the manual version theres plenty around some going for as little as 7/8k

also at least try the auto version its a very good box and not like normal auto's its changes are very predictable and smooth

Thats a pretty decent guide, cheers. I have all the tools and would get either my dad or a friend to do this. Im competent enough, but never done anything this big.
Im pretty sure that the 6 speed manual is the one to have. Im meeting up with a friend of a friend and will hopefully get a test drive in his twin turbo. Apparently he swapped his auto transmission for a manual and put it into his aero model.

Hate · 24 Jun 2006 at 14:13

apparently the autobox in the supra is fantastic. not worth the cost of swapping

Clarkey · 24 Jun 2006 at 15:57

As good as it is, its never going to be like driving a manual. That said, a lot of drivers like to overestimate their ability, there's a guy on the 300zx forum who has proven many time that an automatic can be lapped quicker than a manual, its all about the driving, not the car.

panthro · 24 Jun 2006 at 15:59

Clarkey said:
As good as it is, its never going to be like driving a manual. That said, a lot of drivers like to overestimate their ability, there's a guy on the 300zx forum who has proven many time that an automatic can be lapped quicker than a manual, its all about the driving, not the car.

Thats a good point. But the lack of clutch control and changing gear whenever I want puts me off.