Auto to manual DIY interest

[Thrice1825]

In about a week I'm starting my Auto to manual swap. I'll be putting in a zf transmission with a 3.15lsd differential and a new driveshaft. If there was enough interest here on the boards I was going to do a DIY write-up as I am doing the swap. I have never seen a full DIY write-up so if there is already one out there let me know.

[thejaff]

The Official Auto-to-Manual Transmission Swap Thread (http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79886&highlight=auto+manual)

I haven't read it, but I'm sure there's some useful info in there.

[Thrice1825]

yeah i've read through it but there wasnt ever a write up

[thejaff]

Sorry, I guess I just didn't understand your question.

[dmurray14]

I know there is a pay-for kit that includes all the instructions (Zionsvile, I think) but a DIY write up would be great, if you're up for it.

[martialartsblac]

yea man. im actually going to drop a m50 engine and manual tranny all at the same time on my 94' so YES a write up would be great.
in fact if you were planning to do it over a weekend i wouldent be opposed to coming up and helping

[Thrice1825]

yea man. im actually going to drop a m50 engine and manual tranny all at the same time on my 94' so YES a write up would be great.
in fact if you were planning to do it over a weekend i wouldent be opposed to coming up and helping


Hey I sent you a PM

[heather]

just finishing the swap up, but after all the probs, not even including electrical, i'd say the first item you'd need for a successful swap is a fully loaded handgun... :eyecrazy

[Thrice1825]

bump

[rob0589]

i would be interested

[NewToTheForum]

IMO, and this is MY OPINION, the idea of a auto to manual swap is still stupid, not economical, and a waste of time and money. Just sell the car, and buy a damn manual. This will save you 1500-2000 dollars right off the bat and your car will actually have a resell value after. And in some states it's not even legal for obd-ii cars.

[al_r]

IMO, and this is MY OPINION, the idea of a auto to manual swap is still stupid, not economical, and a waste of time and money. Just sell the car, and buy a damn manual. This will save you 1500-2000 dollars right off the bat and your car will actually have a resell value after. And in some states it's not even legal for obd-ii cars.

I'm glad you prefaced that - if the auto trans went out, it's often more economical to swap to a stick then to repair or replace it with another slushbox.
As for the OBD II comment, it's not that the swap is illegal, it's the fact that you're now storing OBD II (trouble) codes and have a CEL. In Illinois, ANY codes is reason for an emissions failure, even tho the codes are are in no way related to any emissions failure.
My car has just spent a couple days at the local dealer trying to straighten out the OBD II issues, will have news shortly.
IMO, if a car has other desirable traits, but is an auto, or if the auto goes belly-up, no reason not to do the swap, especially OBD I. :cool

[heather]

as al_r has said, if you have a blown auto tranny, there is virtually no value to a car 10-15 years old with this problem. i lived this firsthand recently and with help from the BEST forum folks out here (much thanks al_r for the immense support!) i believe at worst -- all the unexpected little costs and pita timewasters -- it was a breakeven $$$ proposition, with the exception that NOW I"M FINALLY COOL :redspot :redspot :redspot

say al, let me know if you can do a celebratory drink sat!

[Dirk]

I've put more than 1000000 Km's on sticks, and just don't like them anymore. Specially in city traffic. M/be i'm just getting old. This is just my opinion. Anyway, if you want to change your tranny, enjoy!!

[martialartsblac]

IMO, and this is MY OPINION, the idea of a auto to manual swap is still stupid, not economical, and a waste of time and money. Just sell the car, and buy a damn manual. This will save you 1500-2000 dollars right off the bat and your car will actually have a resell value after. And in some states it's not even legal for obd-ii cars.
NewToTheForum, Some of us actually enjoy working on our cars.
After all the time and money we’ve spent , this is just a larger modification or Just another way of personalizing our bimmers.
This may seem over whelming to you but a few of us on here actually know how to do more then just change a tire or swap in a K&N filter. :nutz:

[Thrice1825]

^^ yeah I just really enjoy working on my car thats why I'll spend the money and the time on this project. Its fun to work on it, you learn more about your car, and you can just say you can do it.

[martialartsblac]

so what’s the word? I’m about to do mine in two weeks. This weekend were pulling the motor and tranny and next converting and transplanting