Has anyone experience in converting to manual transmission?
 

My automatic gearbox needs to be rebuilt but I would rather go with a manual transmission instead of a auto transmission. I´m also going to do an engine swap to a 4.7 Euro engine so I think a manual might be a better choice.

What do you guys think? Today my car is a stock 1982 928 non S.

Have your trans rebuilt, sell your '82, buy another car with a 5 spd. Keep things simple. What you are suggesting will end up costing you more in the end. I bought a '88 S4 5 Speed for $6500 in good running condition 6 months ago. It's just not worth putting in the time and money to do the conversion. Just my opinion...Good Luck!

Joe B.

I have the firewall piece from an 85. I also have a 3 speed auto trans that came from an 80 Euro which had low miles but was wrecked and sat for 10 years. Trans fluid looked great when I pulled it out. Trans $200, firewall plate $150.

Glenn

I'm with you joe. I could see the engine swap but I've done auto-manual swaps on cars that have far more accessable doners and many examples in the local bone yards so I know..... This is a huge job. Can it be done..... Yes. Should it be done? IMHO not unless the car itself holds some emotional value. Take it from a person who's sold more projects than he's finished. (like most of us have) You will never come in cheaper than buying what you want to begin with and you will never get your money back.

Don't throw money at something that isn't exactly what you want.

Great comments guys!

I might just stick with the auto trans and still do the engine swap... or do you think a engine swap might be a bad idea as well?? :confused:

Engine swap is not quite as complicated IMO. How many have you done?

Well... I have not done any at all but on the other hand I won´t be the one performing the actual swap... which might be best ;)

Not doing the work yourself, $$$, lots of things to replace, and you ARE going to rebuild them or use new parts so it gets expensive fast.

Main thing, decide what you want, don't make an old car into a different one.

I see what you mean. I´m very careful when changing stuff on the car. Car is absolute original and its in excellent condition and after replacing the entire carpet set with genuine wilton wool it will be pristine. Car has all books and service history since new. It has 245k miles on the clock but the engine has been rebuilt and it runs fine. Might sound naive, but I want the car to be as perfect as possible.

I will ofcourse rebuild the euro engine before putting that one in my US car and I´m sure it will cost me $$$ but I´ll be prepared...

If you have a nice original car i would clean it and sell it, use the cash to buy exactly what you want .
Taking a nice original car and throwing in a different motor and trans, though do able in my opinion isnt the smartest idea.

Go in with your eyes open, a 245k pristine car is still a 245k mile car, what you spend, you spend for yourself, none of it will be coming back.

Are you sure about the car?

Are you sure about the changes?

Figure around $7k for the motor, and $8k to $10k for the transmission. Are you sure you wouldn't rather have a nice GT?

A nice GT is always a nice GT but how often would anyone spend that money on a car that I have? Not very often. I might just stick with the original and restore it as it should be. Even now no one can tell that it has 245k on the clock. Thats very cool to me :cool: