Auto to 5-Speed Swap - Bad idea?

[lespaul]

I've been looking around to buy a used vert 5-speed. However I've found several auto's. How much would you imagine it's going to cost to convert an auto to a 5-speed. Keep in mind, I have no mechanical knowledge, so I would most likely be paying for the work. Are we talking several thousand dollars? Or could I get out with a knowledgeable mechanic at a decent price?

[ClassicScot]

you could get it done reasonable every one is different, mine cost me a little over $1000 plus the price of the parts.

[lespaul]

Parts and labor, what did you end up with out the door?

you could get it done reasonable every one is different, mine cost me a little over $1000 plus the price of the parts.

[xLibelle]

i did it myself and the total for all the right parts came to about $600

[lespaul]

How is the 5-speed conversion? Good as stock? Solid? where did you get the parts?

i did it myself and the total for all the right parts came to about $600

[Mossman]

if you replace 3 gaskets on the tranny and all the shifter components it'll be like new. I bet you could get a shop to do it for 8-10 hours labor. Figure a clutch job would be 5-6, add in a few extra hours for the pedals, completely removing the driveshaft rather than just lowering the front, 3 connections for clutch hydraulics and some simple wiring.

I've done one myself on my 325ic, and one on my 635csi, if you can do a tranny job you can do a 5 speed swap, but i've read a few of your posts and you'd probably be paying someone, right?

I could sell you a tranny, pedals, master cyl, hardline from master to slave, slave softline, and flywheel. All you'd have to find on your own would be a driveshaft (mine is sloppy). Also I'd suggest a new clutch kit, but I do have a used one that worked fine if you want it.

When you have a car if you want some parts shoot me a PM.

[Jon325i]

Just a personal observation here: I've noticed when browsing ads for E30s, the slushbox cars are often in much better shape cosmetically and mechanically than the manuals. Typically, the owners of these cars are older so the chances of them being thrashed or neglected is less. If I were in the market for another E30 and found exactly what I was looking for with the only 'negative' being the automatic, I would buy it and do the swap.

Jon

[TDE30]

^ Yup. The nice thing about automatic cars is that they (generally speaking) have an easier life than manual cars, which run the risk of being driven incorrectly. Automatics are a lot easier on motors from my experiences.

[2Big4a3Series]

Some time ago I saw a guy on Ebay in Pennsylvania who does the swap for $1500 w/exchange of the automatic. If I can find his ad or his website again, I will post it.

He basically advertises that you can arrive to his shop in the morning, go hang out in the mall all day and the car would be done by the time you pick the car up that evening.

[TDE30]

$1500 for a tranny swap?!

[lespaul]

PLEASE send the info if you find it.. very cool.

Some time ago I saw a guy on Ebay in Pennsylvania who does the swap for $1500 w/exchange of the automatic. If I can find his ad or his website again, I will post it.

He basically advertises that you can arrive to his shop in the morning, go hang out in the mall all day and the car would be done by the time you pick the car up that evening.

[SpecM]

Some time ago I saw a guy on Ebay in Pennsylvania who does the swap for $1500 w/exchange of the automatic. If I can find his ad or his website again, I will post it.

He basically advertises that you can arrive to his shop in the morning, go hang out in the mall all day and the car would be done by the time you pick the car up that evening.

-if that includes parts, that's not a bad price