question for the z-gods...
i just got a great deal on a 91 zx twin turbo...only prob is its an automatic

how difficult and how expensive would it be to change it from automatic to manual?

either way, i plan on doing it...
do i just need to find the manual parts in a junkyard and put them in?

Well like most cars you'll need all the manual trans parts, the transmission, clutch, flywheel and etc the ECU out of a 5spd, cut a mounting hole in the fire wall for the clutch...its going to take some work. If you aren't capable of the work yourself you might be looking at some pretty heavy labor charges. As for the actual parts, well, you can find 5pd transmissions for a couple hundred dollars in decent shape. The rest of the parts, well, you got the stuff out, might as well upgrade the clutch, flywheel and ECU (then you'll know you have the right ECU unit). The rest of the stuff can be sourced fairly cheap from wrecking yards.

Not only what Broke said, but unless your Harry Houdini I don't know how you'll install the hydralic lines without pulling the engine, but then when you make the change if you pull the engine and trans at the same time it would be easer, also easer to convert everything at that point.

Um... you are probably better off just buying a car with MT already...

question for the z-gods...
i just got a great deal on a 91 zx twin turbo...only prob is its an automatic

how difficult and how expensive would it be to change it from automatic to manual?

either way, i plan on doing it...
do i just need to find the manual parts in a junkyard and put them in?

Dude... :eek7: It would be so much easier and less time consuming on you to trade it in for a Manual then to perform this "Magic" trick on your own. Unless you enjoy pain and punishment at which point I'd suggest punching yourself in the BALLZ every hour on the hour for a week strait.... It'll be cheaper. :cwm27:

No matter how you look at it... Your pulling the motor for this one(easier said than done) and I hope you enjoy cutting and welding cuz your going to get some practice at it... Whatever you decide to do.. Follow through with it(NOT IF YOU DECIDE ON PUNCHING YOURSELF IN THE BALLZ THOUGH). I've had a friend attempt this kinda project before and he gave up on it because it was to much for him to handle after he pull the motor... Last time I checked on him his Z was still sitting on blocks in his backyard.

Just a thought. :biggrin:

i dont know if i agree with these statements. if you found a great deal on your z32TT and it has good mileage and was well kept then i would deifinitely not sell it and look for a manual. it is hard to come across good z's especially TT's. if you do it yourself, it isnt all that difficult but it will save you some money. z1motorsports sells a full conversion kit for $1800 for the TT. thats everything you will need, including brand new parts. plug and play operation except for some minor wiring snaggles.

here is a good write up on what needs to be done.
http://z1motorsports.com/PDFs/Autoto5spconversion.pdf

since you have your mind set on doing it and you said your going to do it reguardless and you said you already have the car. research the conversion. there are a few write-ups on it on the web. like i said before, if you got a good deal on your TT sink another few thousand into it and get it professionally done with a few upgrades while they are dont there, like downpipes, turbo upgrade, clutch, flywheels. lol. im starting to sound like broke as ****.

i dont know if i agree with these statements. if you found a great deal on your z32TT and it has good mileage and was well kept then i would deifinitely not sell it and look for a manual. it is hard to come across good z's especially TT's. if you do it yourself, it isnt all that difficult but it will save you some money. z1motorsports sells a full conversion kit for $1800 for the TT. thats everything you will need, including brand new parts. plug and play operation except for some minor wiring snaggles.

here is a good write up on what needs to be done.
http://z1motorsports.com/PDFs/Autoto5spconversion.pdf

since you have your mind set on doing it and you said your going to do it reguardless and you said you already have the car. research the conversion. there are a few write-ups on it on the web. like i said before, if you got a good deal on your TT sink another few thousand into it and get it professionally done with a few upgrades while they are dont there, like downpipes, turbo upgrade, clutch, flywheels. lol. im starting to sound like broke as ****.

I agree with you k3.... I mean, yeah: If you got your mind set and you're gonna do it! Yeah! It can be done! But it would be alot simpler if you already an MT car... more power to you!

Interesting, alot of times you have to use a manual ECU when swapping transmissions in an NA car but not the Z. Well whatever, if you have a TT you'll probably be getting an aftermarket ECU anyway :D

with a few upgrades while they are down there, like downpipes, turbo upgrade, clutch, flywheels. lol. im starting to sound like broke as ****

You say that in such a negative way :D

Anyway, I think that if you really went about it right you could do this without removing the engine. Maybe. Regardless, while you have the transmission out a set of downpipes, clutch and flywheel would only set you back another $1500 or so. Might as well. If you do have to pull the engine and want to upgrade turbos...well...I'm not going there because I was going to just buy a good JDM used motor and drop it in after my engine blew. So much for that idea. :D

Jesus. Its like no one here wants to get grease on their hands. Everyone is all 'JUST TRADE IT IN!!!!!'

neonboost: its not as hard as they all make out. I mean jesus, I threw a newer VG30DE tranny in my old auto z31 ffs. And for the hydraulic lines, get yourself some stainless steel braided line instead of the solid lines. That way its still flexible enough to run around things.

However a big pain in the arse is going to be installing the clutch pedal. If you take it to a shop to do, they're going to want to remove the goddamned seat so that they can get in there, but with some contortionistic positions and a sore back for the rest of the week, you should be able to get it sorted in an afternoon.

You shouldn't have to remove the engine to do this swap.

-Mike

first, this swap is not as hard as everyone makes it seem. i actually did it and did all the work myself. took me and one other guy who knows almost nothing about cars (he was there to help muscle the tranny up) about 16 hours to do this swap. you don't have to pull the engine...you can run the hard metal lines behind the engine the way they are supposed to be ran without pulling the engine. and MikeMan was right about the pedals...its just a pain in the ass cause you have to work on them completely upside down for a while to get them in there. i'm not trying to discourage you from doing it cause in my opinion this is the best thing you can do to a Z, but it is some work to get it done. and plus if you do it, just think of the bragging rights you'd have for actually doing it instead of just "trading it in"...lol. good luck with it.

I suggest if you have never done it before get help from someone who has. I mean in person help. Also its alot easier from my POV to pull the engine, then run all your lines then install the tranny assembly and the rest then slap it all back in, and hook everything back up.

taking out the seat wouldn't be that hard would it? i haven't looked at the 300zx's seats but most other ones are just 4 bolts right? i'm sure it's heavier than most other seats (like the ones i pulled out of my buddy's nissan micra) but it wouldn't be impossible... it'd sure as hell make it easier to work on tho... i've done enough stereo installs to know that after 2 hours with one arm above your head and the other right beside your face, upside down with your back arched and your legs hanging out of the car,, you get just a tad sore and cranky...

Why revive a month old thread? Start a new-one!

NeonBoost, If you want to do the swap I have a complete 5sp manual out of a 95TT as I swap the other way, I go automatic. I'd swap you the my 95 TT manual and everything needed except for the braided hyd. line Mike talked about for your automatic.

Mike you amaze me. Learned a new trick. Braided line, cool. I never even though of that, and your right, no one want's to get their hands.