Manual Swap
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 107
From: Edmond OK
You might ask Custom ECM, you can find them on facebook, as they ruined a perfectly good manual c5 vert to convert it to a 6L80 recently. I believe the transmission itself has problems but the rest of the manual parts is something he was planning to sell.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 944
From: Nappytown MD
Cost is a relative term, will depend on who does it and how many hours they bill you PLUS all of the hard parts and tuning you will need. You'll need ECU updates as well as tuning. The rear diff has some differences between auto and manual. It is not a cheap endeavor, better to find a manual car and buy it IMO.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 2,071
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I am in the planning stages of doing this, it's not as bad as portrayed as the car was offered every year with both options. I have manual swapped a couple cars in my days that did not have a manual option, those swaps can be tricky as well as the mentioned manual to C6 auto, too many electronic issues to get through. If you are not pretty mechanically savvy maybe the best option is to get a manual instead. This is not an option for me as my car was inherited with sentimental value. The easiest way would be to get another roller car with a manual of the same year. Still going to have to deal with some electrical issues like clutch/starter interlock and some connectors out back the auto uses the manual does not. The diff is the same, gearing is not so that would have to be addressed as well.
It is NOT easy but like I said IMO it is not overly difficult either. My last was a 5 speed installed in a Crown Vic, THAT was a royal PITA but worth it.
It is NOT easy but like I said IMO it is not overly difficult either. My last was a 5 speed installed in a Crown Vic, THAT was a royal PITA but worth it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 1,219
Only way I would think of doing this swap is if I had a complete donor car to get every single piece, nut and bolt and electronics to do it.
It will be a huge undertaking.
As suggested above, sell the automatic car and buy one that is originally a manual.
It will be a huge undertaking.
As suggested above, sell the automatic car and buy one that is originally a manual.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,941
Likes: 480
From: EAST TENNESSEE
..only if I had a donor car and was doing the work myself.
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