Wanting to Switch From 5 Speed To Auto Trans

[pfarah]

I'm swapping out my 2.5 for my 11 hp Tecumseh snow blower engine... Sorry

[jeffrsmith]

Originally Posted by pfarah

i'm swapping out my 2.5 for my 11 hp tecumseh snow blower engine... Sorry

ROFLMAO

[Gawernator]

Lol!

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by paulthe2nd

I just bought my son a 1985 1/2 944 N/A with a 5 speed. He as a first time driver would rather have an automatic and myself as a father would appreciate him in a slightly slower car. I have the opportunity to purchase an 83 944 with an automatic transmission that is in good shape, what would be involved with the switch?

This would prevent me from having to repair the clutch master and slave cylinders which are bad and hopefully switching out the bad power steering system in the 85 1/2 with the manual steering system from the 83. I am hoping this could be a win win situation here.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Paul

Hi Paul, these guys are getting carried away here.

If I were you I'd stick with the 5-spd and concentrate on giving your son the confidence to tackle a manual. By him getting to grips with it and getting to a proficient level with it then that may give you confidence in him as a driver. If Gawer can drive a stick then anyone can! Some autocross or (porsche) club driver training could do him wonders too.

you've identified the clutch jobs coming up. These don't strike as expensive or uncommon parts to source, I wouldn't let this phase me. You could still get the '83 just as a parts car, keep what you want or need and sell the rest.

one thing that Im also wary about with anyone that can't drive manual is (I havent read the whole thread so it might already be mentioned) what if they are are in a situation where there is a medical emergency and the only means of transport is a manual car? Its a worst case scenario.
Anyone who can drive a stick can drive an auto but not necessarily the other way around. its like aircrew who might be a flight steward or a flight engineer. they still get some flight instruction so at least they can they can be familiar with, control and land a plane in an emergency.

[944tothefloor]

Originally Posted by J1NX3D

one thing that Im also wary about with anyone that can't drive manual is (I havent read the whole thread so it might already be mentioned) what if they are are in a situation where there is a medical emergency and the only means of transport is a manual car? Its a worst case scenario.
Anyone who can drive a stick can drive an auto but not necessarily the other way around. its like aircrew who might be a flight steward or a flight engineer. they still get some flight instruction so at least they can they can be familiar with, control and land a plane in an emergency.

Exactly. So you get a manual and teach your friends how to drive one. It's fun for everyone and it's an essential life skill. For this reason, I agree with not driving an auto. In the long, driving a manual is a healthier, lifelong skill that connects man to machine in a way that is second only to aircraft.

Driver complacency and automatic transmissions are linked, as has been mentioned. It's simply "easier" to get distracted and drift off because of the monotony. All of a sudden you aren't paying as much attention to road signs or other cars.

What a great thread!!! "Are automatics safer?" hahaha.

[333pg333]

Let the kid learn how to drive what you North Americans call 'Stick'. That's doing him more service than not.

[Gawernator]

"If Gawer can do it..." LOL thanks for the vote of confidence.

[944tothefloor]

Originally Posted by 333pg333

Let the kid learn how to drive what you North Americans call 'Stick'. That's doing him more service than not.

What's it called by Australians? You have me curious.

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

"If Gawer can do it..." LOL thanks for the vote of confidence.

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by 944tothefloor

What's it called by Australians? You have me curious.

probably like us, we call it driving a manual.

[tamathumper]

You must have something more colorful than that,... like "stirring a crash box"?

[alan6272]

here in the south they call it a straight drive, I still can't

[paulthe2nd]

Thanks to a select few of you for your help on the question asked. I have been a member of many online communities for Bmw's, Mercedes, Nissan/Datsun's and even Ford's and have never encountered such responses, insulting my parenting skills, insulting my intelligence, Jesus tap dancing Christ on crutches I am told? This sounds like BS one of you brain surgeons replied. The world is a big and complex place. Sometimes people prefer things that are slightly different than just the mainstream idea. It is called personal choice and personal freedom.
To address certain issues, the clutch slave cylinder is repaired. It took me almost no time at all from a few time saving tricks I learned from my early Datsun Z cars.
Secondly, I own another vehicle which is a stick shift, I just wanted him to get thru the first 6 or so months with an auto Trans so he would learn basic driving skills first, then a manual to come later.
Lastly a young boy in a sporty car that is fairly quick will push the car harder than a slower car, I know I did when I got my 914 as my first car. I picked up 2 of my friends that really did not fit and we went jumping this old bridge in town Dukes of Hazzard style. I know what young men are capable of, I used to be one.
Thanks to a few mature people here on the board, I appreciate your time. The rest of you should have been taught some basic respect towards others. People with differing opinions are not necessarily wrong, just different than your own. Learn to walk in another mans shoes before insulting him.

[tamathumper]

This did turn into quite the dog-pile, eh? Kudos to you for responding so civilly.

[Gawernator]

If you think this is bad... you should go post this on Rennlist. While you are entitled to your opinion... it seems you have a disconnect with reality if you can't see that a modern Honda Civic is faster than a 944 NA. Not to mention, NO airbags, no traction control, no ABS .... in fact modern minivans possess similar if not greater acceleration lol

[paulthe2nd]

Hey Gawenator,
Talk about a disconnect with reality go back and read my posts again. Did i ever mention a Honda Civic in any of my posts? Did i mention airbags? Traction control? Or ABS? Or any Minivan and it's safety potential at any time, anywhere? I think it is time to take your A.D.D. Medication. Stay with the concept here Einstein, i want the kid to learn to drive in a very overcrowded area before teaching him stick shift. The one thing you are right about is i am entitled to my opinions, my opinion of you is you are an ass clown,

[paulthe2nd]

A sincere thanks to the few kind and mature people for their help, i appreciate their kindness and wisdom. I am leaving the forum for good now, thanks for making the new guy feel welcome.

[Cajundaddy]

Very few have ever done this swap because there are a thousand little nagging details and the job ends up something like 200 man hours in labor as I recall from foggy memory 20 years ago when some friends did this. You will essentially be blazing this trail into unknown territory and learning from your own mistakes. A better play would be to simply sell both cars and buy one set up the way you want it.

Good luck!

[Jrboulder]

Originally Posted by paulthe2nd

Hey Gawenator,
Talk about a disconnect with reality go back and read my posts again. Did i ever mention a Honda Civic in any of my posts? Did i mention airbags? Traction control? Or ABS? Or any Minivan and it's safety potential at any time, anywhere? I think it is time to take your A.D.D. Medication. Stay with the concept here Einstein, i want the kid to learn to drive in a very overcrowded area before teaching him stick shift. The one thing you are right about is i am entitled to my opinions, my opinion of you is you are an ass clown,

Way to take the high road, bro.

[AaronM]

Internet hiccoughed and I had a double post. Sorry.