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AUTO to MANUAL conversion - cheapest way?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Red03Mustang
  • Start date Start date Dec 22, 2004

Red03Mustang

New Member
Apr 26, 2004
373
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0
Dec 22, 2004
#1
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #1
Hey all. I'm thinking about doing an auto to manual conversion and I wanted to get some of your opinions about it.

First: should I consider trading my car for a manual?

Second: I found this in a previous post and was wondering if it would be a good idea to get these parts at a junkyard instead of buying the conversion kit from MustangParts. Lonegunman listed this:

Transmission
Manual Transmission Wiring Harness or rewire
Clutch Lever Pivot
Clutch Fork
Release Bearing
Pilot Bearing
Flywheel
Clutch & Pressure Plate
Pressure Plate Bolts
Flywheel Bolts
Driveshaft
Driveshaft Flange Bolt
Shifter w/bolts
Shifter Handle w/bolts
Shift Knob
Shift Boot
Lower Shift Boot w/bolts
Pedal Assembly
Clutch Quadrant
Firewall Adjuster
computer or chip (99+ need computer replaced, reflashed, or chipped)

Would I be better off getting these parts seperately at a junkyard, or buying the conversion kit?

Also, what would a good shop charge to do this swap?

Finally, what does TKO stand for?

Thanks!
 
B

BMurphy

New Member
Nov 2, 2004
41
0
0
New Hampshire
Dec 22, 2004
#2
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #2
Why not just trade it? That is unless this is something you really want to do as a project just to see if you can. You also have to change insurance, the car's registration and title. I also think that if you ever want to sell it, you will have a very difficult time.
 

Red03Mustang

New Member
Apr 26, 2004
373
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0
Dec 22, 2004
#3
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #3
Trading might be a possibility

The only problem with trading it would be that I have gears and exhaust work done. The only thing I would lose would be the gears because I could have the exhaust swapped back (the stock H pipe anyway - I'd have to obtain a ford catback).

If it were stock I probably wouldn't even think twice.

I'm not doing it as a project. I just want a stick.

Thaks for the reply. Anyone else?
 
T

tarch

My 8V > 4V > 2V
Founding Member
Aug 20, 2002
3,073
1
56
Redmond, WA
Dec 22, 2004
#4
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #4
it's a lot of fun man... don't do it if you can't do it yourself
 

danny g

Founding Member
Sep 23, 1999
375
5
18
Dec 22, 2004
#5
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #5
just try and sell yours and get a manual. save yourself alot of headaches and money too most likely.
 
Reactions: Admiral_peck
F

fr96ss

New Member
Jul 17, 2003
326
1
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Long Island, NY
Dec 22, 2004
#6
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #6
why?

why the hell would you want to do that? put a good converter in it and a nice shift kit and leave us manual guys in the dust.
 
Reactions: Admiral_peck
D

Darkhorse845

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
101
0
0
Las Vegas,Nevada
Dec 22, 2004
#7
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #7
www.ddperformance.com
 

back_in_black

New Member
Apr 12, 2003
460
1
0
frederick, MD
Dec 22, 2004
#8
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #8
fr96ss said:
why the hell would you want to do that? put a good converter in it and a nice shift kit and leave us manual guys in the dust.
Click to expand...
It's only 5% more drivetrain loss, put your money into a converter, shift kit and tranny cooler
 
Reactions: Admiral_peck
G

Gray02GT

Founding Member
Oct 9, 2002
644
1
0
Eaton, Colorado
Dec 22, 2004
#9
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #9
Sell it and get a 5 speed. Seriously, it will also make it a ****load easier for the future when you want to sell the car.
 
Reactions: Admiral_peck

tdaily2

New Member
Oct 13, 2004
75
1
0
Greenville,SC
Dec 22, 2004
#10
  • Dec 22, 2004
  • #10
it is not hard to do the change and you ins will not change since the vin # is still showing the car having a auto in it i can put a v8 into a 4 banger and will pay the ins on a 4 banger since the vin show what the car was made with. '99-'03,GT, AODE to T45 conversion. Comes with new H.D. Ram clutch kit, new pilot bearing, resurfaced flywheel, and all other used parts to convert your car from Auto to 5speed! This kit is complete $2,095.00
 
Reactions: Admiral_peck

Red03Mustang

New Member
Apr 26, 2004
373
0
0
Dec 24, 2004
#11
  • Dec 24, 2004
  • #11
How to build the auto?

I've thought about building my auto too. The thing is, I want the control over the gears like a manual. The only way to have that is to have a manual!

What would building my auto consist of, and what would it do for the car?

Also, I've never been a fan of how the auto is jerky in normal driving. What's the best way to smooth it out? I want it to feel like it is quality, not cheap.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Sep 1, 2014
#12
  • Sep 1, 2014
  • #12
In what state do you have to change the pink slip? I have never hear of that here.
Building a better auto transmission might mean reworking or replacing the valve body all the way to a full go through. Manual control autos are not unheard of. The question is when did they switch to a computer controlled auto?
 
Reactions: Admiral_peck

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Sep 2, 2014
#13
  • Sep 2, 2014
  • #13
Red03Mustang said:
Also, what would a good shop charge to do this swap?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
IMO once you start considering having a professional do the work, the answer becomes almost automatic, trade the car. This advice goes double if asking, "what's the cheapest way".

This project only makes $$ sense if doing the work yourself for fun. The cost of professional labor is just too high.
 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,152
144
104
St. Louis, MO
Sep 2, 2014
#14
  • Sep 2, 2014
  • #14
This thread is a relic. Surprised it didn't turn to dust when you tried posting to it.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Sep 4, 2014
#15
  • Sep 4, 2014
  • #15
Oops! A zombie thread!
I still want to know what state requires a registration change to change the tranny or motor.
 
Reactions: FabLabRacing

FabLabRacing

New Member
Oct 14, 2014
1
0
1
Oct 14, 2014
#16
  • Oct 14, 2014
  • #16
7991LXnSHO said:
Oops! A zombie thread!
I still want to know what state requires a registration change to change the tranny or motor.
Click to expand...

I know with when I my 1980 fox body I put a 460 cc engine in I had to let Hagerty know for insurance purpose. But now I'm looking into a SN95 and replacing the auto with a T5 myself and can't imagine the hassle.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Feb 13, 2020
#17
  • Feb 13, 2020
  • #17
Letting insurance know for value or replacement is a very good idea, but not the same as state registration.
 
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