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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
A4 to 6 speed
I have a 93 Ruby with auto trans and 46k miles. I was ready to sell and get a Z16 until the 0% offer expired. So now I'm looking at swapping out my A4 for a 6 speed. What do you people think, is it a bad idea or will it work ok? Will probably do some minor engine upgrades for more hp at the same time. TIA Perry
your gonna need a dn44, zf-6 (perfer black label) bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, stick center console, chip for a stick, Stick c-beam, clutch petal/master, slave. Find a wrecked car it will be easier that way. being a collectable (I can't believe Im saying this, as Im no purist) I would leave her be.
I have a 93 Ruby with auto trans and 46k miles. I was ready to sell and get a Z16 until the 0% offer expired. So now I'm looking at swapping out my A4 for a 6 speed. What do you people think, is it a bad idea or will it work ok? Will probably do some minor engine upgrades for more hp at the same time. TIA Perry
Let me know if you go this route as I have some parts left over from my 4+3 to ZF-6 swap. Master/Slave cylinder, pedals, C-beam, flywheel and clutch. The parts came from a supposed 10K 96 GS, the transmission is in excellent shape so I believe the mileage is as stated. email me if you are interested I'll make you a good deal as the wife will soon grow tired of these parts in the garage.
I can't give you exact numbers but I'm guessing it would cost several thousand in parts alone...plus you would hack up that nice looking 40th.
So my vote goes to leaving it alone or if you really want a 6spd, sell yours and buy one
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There is one person who originally made a serious inquirey about purchasing the Ruby and will be here in a couple weeks to check it out lives in Canada). If he buys it, this thread is a mute subject. If not, I will persue it more deeply. I am open to all suggestions for tranny's (ZF-6 was what I had thought). I have made one inquirey to a Vette shop to get a ballpark figure and will be able to make a better decision when I hear from them.
I've got a ZF6 conversion going at the moment (link at the bottom of my sig). So far the two hardest things were removing the bolts at the top of the A4 bellhousing and trying to get the damn pilot bearing to go in the crank. In terms of difficulty, it's an easy job. In terms of cost... Well, I would not have done this if I had not already dumped thousands into the car already and plan on keeping it for a while, through another A4 rebuild atleast which pays for part of the conversion right there. I think the cost of conversion for me is almost to $4000, and that is not including a D44 (that McLeod street twin didn't help though).
Are you looking to do the ZF6 only? Have you considered the Richmond, or Keisler (sp)
They (Keisler) sell a "complete" conversion kit from auto to stick for 92-96 and will install ...for a price. (at least that was the reply I got from them on this subject via email). I'm guessing it would be at least $4K for the "kit" and I can't even guess on the cost of them installing. Also, it will be necessary to modify the trans tunnel as the 6 spd shifter and trans width will not line up with the existing OEM demensions for the auto.s 92+ Sell the auto and buy a stick. It would be cheaper and not so much hassle.
I did it to my 96. Plan on 7 grand if you do it yourself. Also you must be comfortable with fiberglass work as you will need to rebuild the trans tunnel to accept the ZF6. You'd be better off keeping your auto and buying a LT4 ZF6. I'd keep the auto simply because I could not ever rationalize selling my car.
Actually that is not true. Seriously, I can't believe how hard this is for a C4. There has been countless guys who have done this on the C3 forum. In fact they say that it is easier to convert from a auto to 6 speed than from a 4 speed to a six speed. The manual crossmembers are welded in place, and the Richmond 6 spd bolts directly to the 700r4 trans mount, and that just requires a bolt on adapter for the existing crosmember. I plan on doing this swap in a year or two.
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Originally Posted by mean8t
Reason #75 Why I am glad I own a C3...
Actually that is not true. Seriously, I can't believe how hard this is for a C4.
Its not that’s its so much more difficult for the C4 guys, it’s just that we’re limited to the transmissions we can use because of the C-beam. Till recently we only had two manual transmission choices.
ZF6 and Richmond…. They both have their pluses and minuses, and you have to decide what issues are more important to you.
The C3 was originally offered with a 4-speed, so im sure you have many more choices, and not to mention cheaper.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Thanks all for your replies. It definitely looks like a sale and purchase of another with 6 speed would be the wisest. Have to see what happens in a couple weeks when the guy comes to look at Ruby.