Auto to Manual, Is it worth it.

[92SEric240SX]

I have an automatic 92 hatch, it seems to have decent pickup. I love to drive it already but, I'm wondering if it would be more enjoyable as a 5-speed. Anyone know of how much it would be to get the transmition swap done, Is it real hard to do it yourself?

[zippitta]

If you have to ask how difficult and much it would cost for a shop to convert the car to a 5-speed, I would say you might not want to try to DIY. But I would imagine it costing a little over 1k to have a shop do it.

[Kenrik]

it's not that hard to do it yourself and a 5speed transmission is cheap... do it

[naed240sx]

If you can do it.... then do do it. There are countless driving techniques waiting for you that you will never get to experience with your auto. Manual trans cars are much quicker and more versatile.

[92SEric240SX]

I know some folks that I can get to help me with it so installation shouldn't be a problem, but for parts, what would you reccomend (list of essentials)

[Scooby24]

I have an automatic 92 hatch, it seems to have decent pickup. I love to drive it already but, I'm wondering if it would be more enjoyable as a 5-speed. Anyone know of how much it would be to get the transmition swap done, Is it real hard to do it yourself?

The car feels MUCH more powerful as a stick.

I just got done with the swap and am VERY happy with it. It's not terribly hard provided you have all the parts right then and there at your disposal....but if you're not car savvy don't attempt this as your first project.

Parts you need

5spdclutchflywheelpilot bearingalignment toolMT Mounting plateMT driveshaft (abs/non abs specific)clutch pedalbrake pedal (or cut the automatic)shift knoblower bootupper bootleather boottrim pieceMT crossmemberAny sensors you want. (i ONLY used speed sensor and it works fine)fluidsclutch master cylinderslave cylinderlines

I think that's it.

[1991S13]

I did mine last winter, and it made it feel like a new car. Hands down the best upgrade I have done.

All together mine cost between $1,000-1,500, and that was with new master and slave cylinders, fluid lines, clutch, flywheel, and I spent $50 on some CF Sparco pedal covers so I could cover up the brake pedal that I cut so I didn't have to switch pedals.

The auto transmission is a lot heavier too, so you shave off quite a few pounds along with it.

[gepeto]

Holy crap when my A/T died on my s14 I was so FSCKING GLAD !!!

Excuse to swap it...DAMN IT RULES.

[Ni2s4s0aSnX]

It depends on what you want to do with your car. If you plan on adding alot of power, and maybe racing it, then yes you want to swap out the auto transmission. It won't cost you more than $1,000 for a stock 5-Speed manual swap, if you do it yourself. Also, no it really isn't that hard to do if you have the right equipment, and someone to help you do it.

[iceslick86]

swap it. its worth it i paid 1k for my swap i thinik i overpaid for the parts but in the end it was worth it. its much more fun to drive than an automatic. and if your not sure if pou want to do it......... just blow out your auto transmission then you'll have to swap the transmission. thats how i did it.

[Scooby24]

Does anyone else's pedal orientation look all goofy?

Clutch is further down than the brake?

I bought a manual brake pedal assembly so I didn't have to cut mine but when I tried to put it in the arm would have been going smack dab through the center of the steering column.

[Tulsa_S-13]

If your lucky like me you'll be able to find a parts car for cheap with everything you need. So far my total is $250. Now, I'm waiting for Fall break and the Fidanza Flywheel, oh yea and for the money tree to bloom again.

[1991S13]

My clutch pedal sits lower than the brake pedal. When I finished I was so excited to take it out that I forgot to adjust the pedal height. I had no clutch at first because of this, so I barely raised it. It has to be all the way to the floor before the clutch engages, so I don't know how normal that is.

[JDMEnthused]

it is totally worth it.. especially if your wanting to drift more.. if your wanting to challenge the 1320 just leave it in there and buy a shift kit for it..

[Riley2.4L]

[QUOTE=1991S13]All together mine cost between $1,000-1,500, and that was with new master and slave cylinders, fluid lines, clutch, flywheel, and I spent $50 on some CF Sparco pedal covers so I could cover up the brake pedal that I cut so I didn't have to switch pedals.QUOTE]

Did you do the work yourself or are shop and labor costs added in there?

[KFL]

I know someone who is selling a complete s13 swap for 800ish every part you need with a slightly used clutchmasters stg3/ Fidanza flywheel. A stock clutch/flywheel would be way less about 400-500range.My old 240 was a 5spd enjoyed it a lot. My current one is auto until spring when I'm taking a vacation converting it and boosting it most likely.

[colies97~240sx]

Completely worth it.

Mine has been swaped over a year now. I got super lucky and had a friend who has done the swap several times before, that helped a lot. He also had access to air tools and a lift so we got it done in less than 5 hours or so. I also decided to use the manual brake pedal, I havent noticed any difference in the heights between it and the clutch. It was just a %*&@# to get in there, had to completely drop the steering column to give us enough room, it was a really tight fit to get the old one out and the new one in. I actually took out the seat to give us more room to work.

The clutch engagement was a little goofie but it is probably due to using used lines, I'm sure they may have had some gunk in them, the pressure plate was also messed up so that probably has something to do with it too. I plan on putting in a new clutch soon so hopefully that will help.

Since we did the bare essentials to get it working my check engine light will probably forever be on and there are some cold start issues (which really isn't as bad as it sounds) If you decide to use auto ecu you will probably have to give it just a little bit of gas on cold starts. It will act like it will want to die when you start it, just give it some gas and it will be fine. After that it runs and idles fine. Best of luck with what you decide to do, there are some good theads on nico about the swap, part numbers, and so on.

[Scooby24]

Completely worth it.

Mine has been swaped over a year now. I got super lucky and had a friend who has done the swap several times before, that helped a lot. He also had access to air tools and a lift so we got it done in less than 5 hours or so. I also decided to use the manual brake pedal, I havent noticed any difference in the heights between it and the clutch. It was just a %*&@# to get in there, had to completely drop the steering column to give us enough room, it was a really tight fit to get the old one out and the new one in. I actually took out the seat to give us more room to work.

The clutch engagement was a little goofie but it is probably due to using used lines, I'm sure they may have had some gunk in them, the pressure plate was also messed up so that probably has something to do with it too. I plan on putting in a new clutch soon so hopefully that will help.

Since we did the bare essentials to get it working my check engine light will probably forever be on and there are some cold start issues (which really isn't as bad as it sounds) If you decide to use auto ecu you will probably have to give it just a little bit of gas on cold starts. It will act like it will want to die when you start it, just give it some gas and it will be fine. After that it runs and idles fine. Best of luck with what you decide to do, there are some good theads on nico about the swap, part numbers, and so on.

What year car did you get the donar brake pedal from? I got mine from a 95 and the thing...swear to god...was going to go right through the steering column. I also had that sumbich pulled down to get the pedal out...but when I tried to put the manual brake pedal in it wouldn't go at all...

[wickiewicked_240sx]

I did my 5 speed swap for less than 500 dollars. I got the transmission off a 89 240sx and cost me $50 bucks ...........its worth it

[pregmantis]

Dont forget the flywheel bolts. auto's are shorter...tooo short

[92SEric240SX]

do the manual s14 trannies work with the s13? They have the same wheelbase, don't they?

[Scooby24]

do the manual s14 trannies work with the s13? They have the same wheelbase, don't they?

Yes they work but the speed sensor will not work.

I have a manual S13 speed sensor if you need it.