V6 Automatic -> Manual

[Johnklutsliveson]

Hey I've wanted a 'stang for a while but I havent had alot of money, I got lucky a few months back and landed a '99 V6 in great condition for about 5000. I've waited a while and I finally have some money to work on it. The biggest thing to me is that it is an automatic and I really want a manual. Is it possible to swap transmissions and if so what parts do I need? Any advise is greatly appriciated, thxs!

[neatofrito1618]

http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56623 you can buy kits for about $1,000

[TheStang00]

the manuals are faster, if thats what your worried about. but for the cost of switching it wouldnt be hard to make the auto faster, but as stated above, the switch is possible.

[mustangman02232]

get a shift kit and a torque convertor and it will be just as fast as a manual, also the 4W70 tranny is programed for sport shifting, which is starting in first gear then moving the shifter to second, then D with OD off etc.

[neatofrito1618]

manualy shifting a 4R70W is slower then just keeping it in drive and letting it shift itself. just buy a xcal2 and program the shifts, and most of those cheap shift kits harm your transmission. if your want a shift kit do a j-mod

[mustangman02232]

Originally Posted by neatofrito1618

manualy shifting a 4R70W is slower then just keeping it in park and letting it shift itself. just buy a xcal2 and program the shifts, and most of those cheap shift kits harm your transmission. if your want a shift kit do a j-mod

keeping it in park and letting it shift itself do you mean drive? it takes a while more to shift but on the 1-2 shift it firms it up if you do either 1-2-D or D-2-D

[neatofrito1618]

Originally Posted by mustangman02232

keeping it in park and letting it shift itself do you mean drive? it takes a while more to shift but on the 1-2 shift it firms it up if you do either 1-2-D or D-2-D

yeah i meant drive, it shifts a lot harder when your do a 1-2-D shift but its still slower. and when you do the D-2-D shift the time it takes to shift outweighs the jump you get when you manualy downshift it

[AltecZX2]

An auto tanny takes more power then can be made up with just a shiftkit and a tq converter.

ive seen a LOT of cars have teh sme mods, and teh auto will make less HP and LOTS less tq then the manual version, even if the auto is fully built.

just an example I saw a week ago:
two auto Zx2's, and manual ZX2, same dyno(mustang dyno), they have the same mods.

Auto ZX2: 128whp 121wtq (stock tranny + shift kit)
Auto ZX2: 130whp 122wtq (built tranny)
5spd ZX2: 140whp 140wtq (stock tranny)

the auto was a fully built tranny that had stronger internals, better tq converter, and a LSD.

from a roll the auto Z's could almost take the manual because of gearing...in a 1/4 its the manual all the way.

[giddyup50]

Originally Posted by AltecZX2

An auto tanny takes more power then can be made up with just a shiftkit and a tq converter.

ive seen a LOT of cars have teh sme mods, and teh auto will make less HP and LOTS less tq then the manual version, even if the auto is fully built.

just an example I saw a week ago:
two auto Zx2's, and manual ZX2, same dyno(mustang dyno), they have the same mods.

Auto ZX2: 128whp 121wtq (stock tranny + shift kit)
Auto ZX2: 130whp 122wtq (built tranny)
5spd ZX2: 140whp 140wtq (stock tranny)

the auto was a fully built tranny that had stronger internals, better tq converter, and a LSD.

from a roll the auto Z's could almost take the manual because of gearing...in a 1/4 its the manual all the way.

All depends on what kind of converter and shift kit. I've also seen two 1989 Mustang GT's, one auto and one stick. Both had exactly the same bolt-ons (nothing major, just the basics) but the auto had a converter and shift kit and beat the stick every time by atleast a car. They both had stock interior, 1/4 tank of gas, the guys were twins, but one guy was 5 pounds heavier than his brother. But I don't think 5 pounds is enough of a difference for a car length. Who knows, there are alot of things that go into to it.

[Johnklutsliveson]

So basically stick with the auto but mess with it is what you're saying?

[neatofrito1618]

Originally Posted by Johnklutsliveson

So basically stick with the auto but mess with it is what you're saying?

if you only want to get a T-5 because of the hp then yes

[Johnklutsliveson]

I had kinda wanted a manual just to have a manual but if its gunna cost like $1000 in parts I guess I'd be happy just working on the HP. also I'd like to increase the takeoff. I'm looking at everyones answers and I'm confused, I'm not a total idiot when it comes to cars but I'm lost. Can someone explain it a bit more to me? My friend who does the work on my car reccomended I start with the intake and exaust but everyone here is saying something different. Can you explain what changes you reccomend and the cost?

[TheStang00]

if you want faster take off, the first thing you should do in my opinion is get new rear end gears, like some nice 4.10s. exhaust would be ok... i really dont think the stock intake is that restrictive though, just remove the air silencer. theres so much you could do, maybe get some heads and a cam after the exhaust

[Johnklutsliveson]

When it comes to pipes I can't make any sense of it, I'm see 'X-pipes' and 'Y-pipes' what's the difference?? Whats the best for sound and increasing HP?

[neatofrito1618]

Originally Posted by Johnklutsliveson

When it comes to pipes I can't make any sense of it, I'm see 'X-pipes' and 'Y-pipes' what's the difference?? Whats the best for sound and increasing HP?

4.10's are the best for getting a faster take off, intake and exhaust wont do anything for your take off they only add hp in higher RPM's and take away low end torque. a Y pipe is that your car comes with stock(if you look under your car you will see it) and H and X pipes are aftermarket crossovers, but crossovers dont do anything for v6's hp wise because its a equal firing engine. for hp/sound get dual exhaust(obvously) with flowmaster of mac mufflers(i reccomend flowmaster) and if you want it louder get MAC long tubes. a ebay CAI, exhaust, long tubes, and a xcal2 would be a good start. and 4.10's after that to increase your off the line power