i have a bmw 3 series 'k' reg, automatic i want to do it up. i was wondering if i could change the transmission to a manual.
Im ok with cars and dont mind how long it takes but how easy do you think it'll be?
2006-10-10 01:43:20 · 11 answers · asked by roblou 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This is not a do it yourself job. In fact, I'll bet you'll find that even some high-end shops would shy away from this. There's all kinds of cutting and fabrication involved, and that's provided that your engine is already set to mate with a manual OR an automatic. Besides that, other than the appeal of actually shifting the transmission, there's no real difference anymore between standards and autos, and in most cases the automatic transmissions are better. They're stronger, and typically much faster than a human can shift on their own. Stick with the automatic and don't waste your time....it's not worth it at all, even for the novelty of shifting yourself.
2006-10-10 01:52:51 · answer #1 · answered by jdm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, considering this is an electronicly shifted, hydraulic transmission, and a stick would not be, you're gonna have to rip the old transmission out. You'll have to put in another entire transmission altogether. Which isn't really all that bad, considering the GM Manual tranny is about half the price of the ZF Auto tranny. The only real fabrication involved is replacing the panel where the shifter is going and cutting and mounting the clutch pedal. Anyway, in order to do that, you'll have to raise your car off the ground, loosen the bell housing bolts and remove them. Then you put a transmission jack underneath and take the weight off. Put an engine jack on to take the weight off there too. Remove the crossmember, if possible at this point, and any other joints that would prevent you from dropping the tranny. Next, disconnect all wiring, drain fluid, and remove fluid tubing. After all that's done, disconnect the U-joints and remove the drive shafts on each side. With the weight off both the engine mounts and transmission mounts, unbolt each. Finally while, one person lifts the engine a little, the other person must roll the transmission while tilting at an angle. Once the engine is out of the car, it may be easier to jack the tranny a little higher (put chains on it) in order to get to the things that are in the way of dropping it.
Remove the center console and anything involved with the old shifter. Cut holes for and mount the clutch pedal. run the cable and vacuum lines.
Installation of the new stick tranny involves cutting and mounting the stick pivot. follow the reverse operation of removal of the old transmission. Once the transmission is in place, before proceeding, connect the gear change mechanism to the pivot with the short rod. continue reverse of removal.
Connect tubing, wiring, etc, add fluids, and put everything back like it was. Connect clutch cable to clutch swivel.
How hard is that? That's only the general, brief instructions. It's 18-24 labor hours worth probably if you're really good at it. If you're only "ok with cars" you're gonna be throwing stuff and spitting fire before you get 2 hours into it. That's assuming you even have the equipment to do it, which I seriously doubt.
I'd say it's best to let the professionals do it next time your tranny goes bad and you have to have it rebuilt, then definitely go for the manual.
2006-10-10 06:12:21 · answer #2 · answered by Rockstar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Automatic transmission is nice you only worry about break and gas pedals. But manual is the best transmission on my opinion. Have you notice how automatic cars loose speed when going up a hill. That's not the case with a manual transmission. They have more power I think. Plus when you drive manual,and know how to drive good. You don't force the motor. If you learn how to drive a manual, you will be able to learn how to drive bigger cars easily.
2016-03-28 03:36:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll need to be an electronics whizz too: you'll need to replace the engine management system too, as the system on an modern automatic expects to be able to talk to the gearbox control unit.
You'll also need to replace the instrument pack, as the speedometer etc. will be calibrated to the auto transmission.
Buying a manual car would be a much better bet.
2006-10-10 05:40:12 · answer #4 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be done. It's not that cheap unless you swap out the entire motor and tranny from a junked one. Just swapping the tranny to a manual takes fabrication skills greater than the average shade tree mech. The only benefits reaped will be slightly better mpg and the joy of slamming gears.
Good luck if you try.
2006-10-10 02:04:44 · answer #5 · answered by Redeft 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had two renault 5, one an automatic with a good shell and one a manual with a bit of damage - it took a while to swap them over and was fairly expensive but was great in the end!
2006-10-10 01:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Jans 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a major job and would probably cost more than it would to trade your car in and get a manual transmission.
You will need a donor car to get all the parts you need.
2006-10-10 01:48:57 · answer #7 · answered by R1volta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget it and buy a manual lot of grief if you try to convert it. you would end up beating the car with a hammer
2006-10-13 07:18:57 · answer #8 · answered by scott j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's major work- you need to be more than "ok with cars"
2006-10-10 01:52:32 · answer #9 · answered by rcdc_wva. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get down d dealers
2006-10-10 01:51:08 · answer #10 · answered by IBRAHIM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋