automatic manual transmision conversion?

[c32b1 NSX]

i was just wonderin if a car has automatic transmision can it be converted to manual. is it as easy as changing the gearbox to a manual one? or is there more to this?

[MagicRat]

This type of conversion is very common. It is MUCH easier if the car in question was also available with a manual transmission from the factory.
All you have to do is round up all the parts, and bolt them on. There is more to it than just locating a transmission. One must get the clutch and flywheel assemply, the clutch and shifter linkages and all the little brackets, clips bolts and screws to hold it all together.

Its easiest to buy a whole parts car so you can be sure to get everything you need. Buying the parts piece by piece from a wrecking yard can get expensive.

One thing, though. Most standard trans cars have a pilot bushing for the clutch drilled into the back of the crankshaft. The little hole that holds the bushing is not always there on an automatic trans car and requires a machine shop to drill.

If your car was not available with a manual from the factory, it is much more expensive and time consuming to intall one. In that case, its cheaper to sell the car and buy one with a manual trans.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

All you have to do is round up all the parts, and bolt them on.....

Not always, many RWD cars have differnt transmission tunnels for Auto and Manual versions, and so often some modfication is required. It could be anything from a few taps with a hammer to make part of it wider, to recutting a hole for the gear stick, or shift mechanism.
You might also have to cut a hole in the firewall for the clutch to mount through, this might sound easy, but often isnt given tight access spaces in some cars, especialy if the engine is still in the car.

And of course most RWD cars use a differnt diff ratio between auto and manual models, for best performance afterwards its best to change that as well, and also be prepared to have to change the driveshaft.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Moppie

Not always, many RWD cars have differnt transmission tunnels for Auto and Manual versions, and so often some modfication is required. It could be anything from a few taps with a hammer to make part of it wider, to recutting a hole for the gear stick, or shift mechanism.
You might also have to cut a hole in the firewall for the clutch to mount through, this might sound easy, but often isnt given tight access spaces in some cars, especialy if the engine is still in the car.

And of course most RWD cars use a differnt diff ratio between auto and manual models, for best performance afterwards its best to change that as well, and also be prepared to have to change the driveshaft.

There is a heck of a lot of additional modifications to do, as well, such as the correct drive shaft, transmission mount, neutral safety switch, speedometer cable or speed sensor, and, if its a later car, the wiring harness for cruise and an electronically shifted transmission.
The clutch itself requires the correct mount for the bell crank or if hydraulic, the master cylinder.
Often the brake pedal must be narrowed of changed. And lets not even get into the column shift nightmare.
My point here is, and mabe I should have empasised this, is to get a complete parts car which can serve as a guide as to how everything goes together and how the cars differ as well as serve as a parts source.