Convert AUTO to MAN

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NASTY04GT

New Member

Dec 28, 2010

7

0

1

Charleston, SC

Mar 3, 2012

#1

• Mar 3, 2012

• #1

Has anybody every converted there car from and Auto to Manual? Just wondering how much work and money would have to go into a project like this. Iv been told to stay auto just because its better use on the track...but I want to feel like im driving the car. Sounds better and just 0verall more fun to drive.

 

vertigasen

Active Member

Apr 28, 2004

366

18

29

Falcon, CO

Mar 3, 2012

#2

• Mar 3, 2012

• #2

Option #2.....get a manual valve body for the auto. You still have to shift through the gears, but just in a ratchet action.

Why does an auto sound better? I'm confused by this one.....I thought the sound was more of a function of the exhaust and not the transmission.

Sorry for being a smart ass, but I am in one of those moods today. I am guessing you mean because you cant wind it out to 6000+ rpms. There are mods to the auto that can be done to make it a lot better. As I said, the manual valve body is one, ecu changes is another.

With that out of the way, if you want to swap, it can decently priced. The best way to do it is to go to the junk yard. Find a wrecked manual car....v6 or GT....doesnt matter. Get the bellhousing, transmission, driveshaft, shifter, wiring and plugs, crossmember, bolts, pedal assembly, clutch cable, firewall adjuster, clutch quadrant, console bezel piece......I might be missing some stuff. Get all the stuff, and the swap is not too bad.

 

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NASTY04GT

New Member

Dec 28, 2010

7

0

1

Charleston, SC

Mar 3, 2012

#3

• Mar 3, 2012

• #3

Thanks for the info. Understand those days man. I was saying that Manual sounds better then Auto. As far as Exhaust, i like the sound of switching through the gears.

 

0

007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

3,287

24

69

Broke

Mar 3, 2012

#4

• Mar 3, 2012

• #4

I posted a thread with all the details a while back. Try searching for it. I have all the parts but still havent done the install. Its not cheap when you add it all up. If your car is near stock then you are far better of selling and buying another car with a manual trans.

 

Want2GoFaster

Member

Jun 17, 2003

77

8

18

Nebraska

Mar 4, 2012

#5

• Mar 4, 2012

• #5

I did this about 8 years ago. I spent around $2,300 for good used replacemnt parts (bellhousing, pedals, shifter & shifter bezel, wiring, 5-speed computer, and other misc - can't remmeber) and new clutch assy, t.o. bearing etc, and a new world-class Cobra 5-speed.
I had everything installed, including a new rear main seal since everything was apart, for $500.
I've NEVER regretted making this swap.

 

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007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

3,287

24

69

Broke

Mar 5, 2012

#6

• Mar 5, 2012

• #6

Did you have to do anything with your ECU (Ive heard mixed feedback)? I.e. did the car start after the swap? I know the auto has a lock out switch for the "P" position, and wondered if the 5 speed satisfies this. I picked up a 5 speed ECU just in case, but I dont know how much Ford will try and screw me to flash it to my VIN.

 

Want2GoFaster

Member

Jun 17, 2003

77

8

18

Nebraska

Mar 5, 2012

#7

• Mar 5, 2012

• #7

If you're refering to what I called the computer (located in the passenger side kick panel), then no. I just swapped the AODE version with the 5-speed version.
Not sure why you would need it flashed to your VIN? For resale?

 

9

98GT

Founding Member

Mar 31, 2000

903

0

16

Flemington, NJ

Mar 5, 2012

#8

• Mar 5, 2012

• #8

I also swapped to manual from auto, but i went with a TKO 5 speed. I wanted to have a little more fun since the car is not a daily driver and also be sure that I could handle future hp gains. I chose the TKO, Spec stage II, lakewood bellhousing, upr adjuster and bought the pedals on ebay. I have the car's original ECU in place, with an autologic tune currently, but have plans to switch to an X3 tune shortly. The shop I plan to work with said they can turn off the auto functions through the X3 tune.

The only difference you'll find is not having the key lock safety on the column, but I don't think anyone else notices ever. I've enjoyed the swap and probably paid between $700-1000 in labor. Sold my AODE on ebay which helped a little. Hind site I wish i had went 6 speed, but the 6 speed TKO was not out yet if I remember correctly. W/3.73's she doesn't like the highway much!

 

Want2GoFaster

Member

Jun 17, 2003

77

8

18

Nebraska

Mar 5, 2012

#9

• Mar 5, 2012

• #9

Oh yeah. I sold my AODE to someone for a t-bird project they were working on. If I remember, I got around $250-$300 for it, so it helped offset my initial cost

 

0

007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

3,287

24

69

Broke

Mar 6, 2012

#10

• Mar 6, 2012

• #10

Want2GoFaster said:

If you're refering to what I called the computer (located in the passenger side kick panel), then no. I just swapped the AODE version with the 5-speed version.
Not sure why you would need it flashed to your VIN? For resale?

Click to expand...

I was under the impression that you cant just switch the ECU... The PATS system wont work, and the car wont start?

 

Want2GoFaster

Member

Jun 17, 2003

77

8

18

Nebraska

Mar 6, 2012

#11

• Mar 6, 2012

• #11

I'm sorry, but I don't know. Maybe my installers did something to address that during the install. If so, they didn't say anything about it to me.

 

0

007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

3,287

24

69

Broke

Mar 6, 2012

#12

• Mar 6, 2012

• #12

Turns out PATS was introduced in 99. You wouldnt have had to deal with it.