Here's the deal: I have a automatic c5 and I'm thinking about switching to a manual transmission instead of purchasing a new car. Is there any draw backs to doing this type of switch? I have a manual C5 transmission with 35,000 miles on it and my current a4 transmission has 65,000 miles on it. I have a good deal on the install and I'm just wanting to know if this is a good idea or not. I really like my car and I don't want to get rid of it, but I want a manual at the same time. I just am nervous about there being problems, so if anyone has any insight on this issue your comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

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Do a search, this has been "beaten" a few times. It's not easy but doable-waste of time in my book. There are several "electrical" and programming issues involved as well as the pedal, hydraulics, center console and I think the column lock is different between the auto and MN6.

 

we did it on our lingenfelter cost around 13k!!! w/ performance tranny everything was from g-force (triple cone synchro, all hardened extreme alloy, 4340 300M G-Force mainshaft, billet keys , bronze pads)

 

I did the same thing a couple of years ago on my 2000 A4 with 65K miles. In my case, a tuner in Florida posted the entire drive train from a 2003 Z06, clutch, tranny, torque tube and diff, for $2300. I got lucky because Randy at RPM transmissions wanted to do the exact opposite for a drag race car he was building up; i.e., he wanted to go from a manual to an automatic. He offered to do the swap for free and just keep my takeoff parts. I thought about it for about 0.5 seconds and posted "sold!"

The wife and I scheduled a road trip from Texas to Indianapolis, gave the car to Randy for a couple of days, and drove back with a stick. Right after I got home I had to replace the master cylinder. Since then I've put about 10K miles on it with no problems. We love it.

BTW, you mention you have the transmission. I assume you also have a clutch, pedals, etc. I believe the torque tube is also different between the A4 and M6, but I could be wrong.

 

Has the shop done swaps before? Do they know what all is involved? The transmission is only part of the stuff that is needed. And you don't want to get in the middle of it and find out its going to take more money because they did not realize what else was needed.

You will need:
The shop manuals for your year Vette, it will be needed for all the wiring diagrams and connector information.
Clutch pedal assembly
master and slave cylinders
remote clutch bleeder
clutch and flywheel
shifter, with boot and ring, and close out.
torque tube
transmission wiring harness
3.42 diff, not sure how well the 3.15 or 2.73 will do with a MM6
clutch pedal safety switch
cruise control switch
re-programing on the computer

I got all of my new parts at: www.gmpartshouse.com

You will also need a couple of connectors that will go on the main harness to hook up to the trans harness, but you won't know exactly what you will need until you have it apart and know the part numbers on your wiring harness.

I would also consider re-building the manual trans before installing it. Also, look at rebuilding the torque tube. You do not really know how either were driven before you bought them, they could have a short life left in them.

Is it worth it? I really like my MM6, its a lot different than the A4. You can not tell it use to be a A4. It is mostly plug and play, not a lot of places to cut corners. I can't really say it has a down side, other than if you were to sell it, a buyer may balk at the idea, but there are a lot of buyers out there. But, it was worth it to me because I like to take my Vette to the road race track and the MM6 does not overheat nearly as much as the A4 on the track. I would not do it because your A4 has miles on it. Do it because you want or need a manual.

YMMV,

 

Personally- you CAN do this, but only in certain circumstances Id recomend it- Like if you had a real good deal on all the used parts basically a whole car at your disposal.

otherwise its easier to sell yours and buy a Manual c5. I know no one likes that,but for the money youd spend you could spend it fixing the manual one up- LIke cosmetic stuff and whatnot.

 

Actually, I've had way less issues with my trans swap than I have had with doing a Heads and Cam, even LT headers. But, that is me and YMMV. I don't really see it as any different than putting in a new engine, like a LS2 or LS3, or going with a real big cam or twin turbos, etc, all are major departures from what it originally was, all will require a tune which changes the air/fuel characteristics drastically and can also have drastic changes to the driability of the Vette. They may also require wiring and fuel system mods. A trans swap on the other hand can be just a stock parts swap, or it can be swap in aftermarket drive train parts that can effect the driveability.

However, I would definitely agree that it is a major task and should not be approached lightly. Trading for a manual may be cheaper, and it will definitely take less time. Only do the swap if you really need it or have no other good way to get a manual. Only you can decide if its worth the trouble.

Am I contradicting myself, kind of, it is not for everyone and it is a lot of work. I wanted the experience, so it made sense for me. Most would rather do other mods or just drive it like it is.

 

I understand on the work level ive had my m6 out like 3-4 times. the motor out too. Its not so much as that, as the expenses to buy all the parts needed.. Ive done the manual conversion on other vehicles before, When it was all said and done I could have just sold the car for a manual. From then on, Whenver i purchased a performance car I had to think hard What I was gonna do with it.. Theres always that tempting good deal on a automatic out there I almost bit it this time but wound up paying more for the M6. In my search the M6 owners knew they had a leg up on you their prices were all higher..

You could more than likely sell your auto, and buy a manual for the same price or near it. and Fix anything wrong with it for way less than the conversion cost.

 

I think you will lose some $$$ if you try to sell the car at a later date. The conversion might scare off some potential buyers.

 

By the way the install, transmission, and the rebuild is only going to run me $1200. The guy I am getting it from said he no longer had any use for it, so he just practically gave it to me. Thanks for your responses, keep them coming please!

 

agree this is a very good list of what you need, we mounted out remote clutch bleeder by the battery very easy access

 

Wow, that sounds too low. Do you have a personal relationship with the guy? If not I'd be concerned that they don't know what all is involved. If he is a friend, I'd still go over all the things that need to be done, just to make sure he does not get himself in over his head.

I'd make sure you can get all the parts first, it can take a while to locate some things like the torque tube and shift boot. I'd also locate a local tuner and discuss a tune to change to a manual.

 

Hey, I agree. For 99% of Vette owners that is the best way to go. I would caution people who want to do the swap, because its a lot of work. It would be more beneficial for most to buy other mods.

I'm just saying that the potential problems are less than what some think. And, that there is nothing magical about the trans. Swapping it out is no more damaging to the resale than swapping in a different engine or such.

 

or be like me and do engine and trans and spend over 85k