need advice for tranny swap !!

[fwdrofl]

Hi, i have a 1990 e25i vert, with an automatic transmition, the car was previously a 5mt but the previous owner had it converted (why he would do that, i haven't the slightest clue) now i've always heard going from automatic to manuel would be hard and that i should just buy a cheap 5mt and use my current car as a parts car, but i'd prefer doing the swap on my current e30 b/c the car is really clean and has an entirely new engine block and intake manifold and runs really nice, now i was wondering, since the car was previously manuel, would it be slightly easier? and also, what do you think, should i just buy a manuel e30? Or should i go through with the swap, also as a side note, i've never done a swap before.

[Teaguer]

Its not hard at all. I've personally done nearly a dozen auto-to-manual swaps and r3v noobs do them all the time.

Thats being said your specific car, having originally been a manual, would not be any easier to swap back to manual.
Possibly the only thing that could be easier is if there is no current neutral safety switch functioning in the car.
Have you ever tried bumping the starter while the gear selector is in any of the drive gears?
Either way its all just a matter of swapping out the right parts.


PS: I'm also highly suspect of you, or the PO, claiming the car was originally a manual.
I seriously doubt that is true. I've NEVER heard of anyone turning a manual e30 into an automatic.

PPS: Take clear a pic of your VIN sticker in the drivers doorjamb for us.

[scottinAZ]

Its not hard at all. I've personally done nearly a dozen auto-to-manual swaps and r3v noobs do them all the time.

Thats being said your specific car, having originally been a manual, would not be any easier to swap back to manual.
Possibly the only thing that could be easier is if there is no current neutral safety switch functioning in the car.
Have you ever tried bumping the starter while the gear selector is in any of the drive gears?
Either way its all just a matter of swapping out the right parts.


PS: I'm also highly suspect of you, or the PO, claiming the car was originally a manual.
I seriously doubt that is true. I've NEVER heard of anyone turning a manual e30 into an automatic.

PPS: Take clear a pic of your VIN sticker in the drivers doorjamb for us.

Going manual-auto-manual isnt totally unheard of.

Prior to purchasing my cabbie, the PO removed the manual to do a 5 speed swap on his car. I bought it with the old auto and all his derelict parts, Manual-auto. worked fine till the engine shit, 24v swap and back to manual trans.

As long as the wiring isnt all fubarred, the swap is easy. all auto wiring plugs into manual harnesses, as ALL the cars started life manual. the wiring is adapted via add on harnesses to the manual cars.