Is it possible to convert an automatic transmission vehicle to a manual?

Question

I'm a big fan of the manual transmission, but there is a lot cars nowadays that are only available with fancy automatic transmissions. Would it be possible to take any of these new cars only available in an automatic transmission, and convert them over to a true manual transmission??

I know it obviously would be expensive, but would it be possible to do if you had the money resources to do it??

Answer 1

Of course it's possible. The question worth asking, is not 'is it possible?', but is it worthwhile doing to specific car model X? This is a very general question. It really depends on the car. People claiming it's impossible have obviously never heard of the wonderful world of fabrication. If the car isn't offered as a manual from the factory, it would be more expensive and would likely require some fabrication.



What I mean by this is that there are no bolt on options available, so a compatible manual transmission and drive-line would have to be found, and mounting points fabricated. Then there is a possible issue with mating the engine crankshaft to a flywheel instead of a flex-plate. And the selection of a spigot bush, if there was a compatible recess in the rear of the crankshaft. In a worst case, the engine crankshaft could need to be modified, which would put the expense from the 'expensive' to the 'obscene' bracket.



Then when you get it all together and working correctly, there is the issue of legality. If you plan to use the vehicle on a public road, in most developed countries, modification that involved fabrication would require an engineering certificate (basically proving the modifications are strong enough to be safe and roadworthy), which is yet more expense.



If you are a millionaire, have a pathological hatred of automatic tranmissions, and have a Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini e.t..c with a high purchase price, it may be worthwhile.



If you're an average working class Joe that want's to convert an older car, it may also be worthwhile if the Automatic is dying and you can locate a cheap second hand 'conversion kit' with over 90% of what you need in one hit. I did this in my twenties with an older model car. However, it came as a factory option, so I only had to bolt on new parts.



If you're an average working Joe, and the car in question is a new model that is not offered from the factory as a manual, don't even think about it unless you have reliable access to a full workshop, fabrication and the know how to put it all together.

Answer 2

If the car was/is not offered with a manual then converting it to manual would be very difficult if not impossible. First off you would need a bell housing to fit your engine that would work with a clutch hook up and a manual transmission. If there was never one made where would that come from. You would also need a clutch and brake pedal assembly which was not manufactured for your vehicle. If all the mechanical problems were overcome there would be the problem of the computer. Typically cars with auto and manual transmissions use different computers for the engine but where would that come from. Even if that were overcome you'd have the problem of getting it past an emissions test. When the VIN is entered into the emissions computer it tells it the car is an automatic but when it scans the engine computer it sees it as a manual and instantly barfs. Nothing about modifying cars is easy or simple in the age of computers.

Answer 3

Yes. It will be much cheaper and easier if your car’s engine was offered with a manual transmission from the factory. For example, some cars from Audi only come with automatic transmissions. But Audi offers other cars with manual transmissions that use the exact same engine. In this case, expect to pay $5000+ for the conversion. You will need a manual transmission, the shift linkage and shift knob assembly and sleeve, possibly a new speed sensor, a new ECU meant for manual transmissions, and new transmission mounts. In reality, it is much cheaper and easier to find a manual version of your car and trade in.



If your car was never offered with a manual, and the engine was never offered with a manual in another car from the same manufacturer, then you will need to get custom work done to retrofit a transmission from another car. Be prepared to pay over $7000 and wait a few months for the custom design and fabrication process.

Answer 4

It depends on whether a manual transmission even exists for your car. If not, it would mean *trying* to retrofit a manual from another kind of vehicle. All of this is very labor intensive, which means it's very expensive and likely not worth doing. Your car will actually be worth less money, since most buyers will want the automatic.

Answer 5

Possible but really risky. A significant number of such projects never get back on the road as the owners run out of money. Modern cars have so many intercommunicating modules that trying to get the ECU working right, and the security system working right, is iffy at best. If you don't want an automatic don't buy an automatic, or sell it if you already have it from earlier days.



For the ones that never were made with a manual, you are likely to find yourself with an ECU that won't work without a TCU to communicate with, and the TCU is saying the transmission is dead so don't even try to run, and no workable ECU available anywhere.

Answer 6

Anything is possible with no brains and a ton of money. Not an insult to you, just a commentary on imprecise statements.



If a newer car does not come with one, it would be prohibitive. FWD does not lend itself to tinkering like RWD, and if the PCM doesn't support a manual, you start running into problems with drivetrain operation.



It is far better to start with a manual trans car, and make the modifications you need to that vehicle, as opposed to taking an auto and working "backwards".



I just bought a new car, and was not willing to buy the top end car (funny that the "sport" version of most every car has the manual as an option, but the mid level doesn't? I thought autos were better? lol) so had to start with a base variant which narrowed down the automakers I could choose from. Once selected, I had to add cruise control myself, because no one that I know of (perhaps Subaru and VW, which I won't buy) offers it in the base model car with the manual.



Of course, you miss out on the touch screen, keyless entry, etc., but most cars are already wired up for it, just need the hardware for it. Cruise was a $100 install for me, with factory parts. :)



Edit: Thumbs down? Why don't you comment so the question asker can make an informed decision? Or are you clueless?

Answer 7

It makes more sense to trade this car for one with a manual transmission. Not all manual transmissions fit any and all cars sold today. However, if you insist, asking invisible strangers online is not the proper way. Go to a mechanic or speed shop that can do this type of work for information and possibly an estimate.

Answer 8

Many things are easily possible with the help of $$. So my answer is yes.



I installed a 327 Chevrolet engine and a TH-400 transmission in a 1957 Mercedes Benz back in the mid 1970s.



So I don't think that swapping a manual for an automatic is so difficult.



BUT, the most SENSIBLE thing to do is seek and purchase the already manual transmission equipped vehicle of your choice.



I recently saw somebody asking about converting a Tesla vehicle to a fully mechanical, gasoline engine powered drivetrain. That one, of course IS possible, but would be far more befitting of all the conversion negativity being expressed here. I rest...

Answer 9

Why would you want to do that?

It would devalue the car while you spend a lot of money doing this.

Many cars have the gearbox talking to many other systems. It is not only a mechanical job but an electronic one.

Modern "fancy" automatics out perform manuals both in performance and fuel economy and with command shift all the arguments no longer apply.

With hybrid cars and electric cars coming more prevelant the clutch is going to become an endangered species. Nmant big trucks are now automatics.

Sitting in traffic with a manual is a pain literally. My Osteopath advised me to get an automatic

Answer 10

Well, you wouldn't convert the automatic transmission into a manual but rather exchange the automatic for a manual transmission. But yes, it is possible.



Economically feasible? That's another question entirely...

Answer 11

It can be done, as long as there's an option for manual transmission for your vehicle. All you would need is to find a manual version at a junkyard, get the tranny along with the brake and clutch pedal combo, tcu, shifter cables, flywheel that mounts to the engine, clutch, clutch reservoir, clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, mounting hardware, and a few extra things I can't remember off the top of my head. So yeah it's possible as I am going to do this with my 93 Honda accord

Answer 12

Switch transmission

Answer 13

IF you believe that you can magically fit any Manual Gearbox to any car then you are truly DUMB. If the Manufacturer did not offer a Manual option, then you have no chance at all of fitting a manual gearbox to the car.

Answer 14

Yes if a manual was made to fit that engine, does not have to be the same model just same make

If that engine was never offered with a manual it would be a very difficult conversion

Answer 15

Yes and no. Many automatic transmission vehicles never had a standard transmission from the factory when the car was new. Necessary parts would not be available.

Answer 16

It could easily be done with adapter plates and brackets welded in for the equipment.

If it were a car which does come in stick then it would be much easier. It would be simple R n R. Even then, there might be problems. But easily possible.

Answer 17

Yes

Answer 18

Sure, you can mod any car if you through enough money at it.



It makes no sense , say it costs $10,000 (or maybe more) to covert a car from auto to manual, would it foolish to do on any car worth less the $30,000. Pretty stupid to spend $10k on a car worth $10k which would still be worth $10k when your done.

Answer 19

For the money it takes to convert that, you could just buy a hot car with a standard stick.

Answer 20

Yes I seen people do it before my neighbor just did his a few months ago to a 98 civic but the newer car I'm not sure ...just leave it alone and get a new car

Answer 21

It depends on what car you want to convert. In General - the answer is yes. Just specify the vehicle.

Answer 22

Any vehicle "can" be converted. Some will be more expensive to convert than others due to additional fabrication needed in order to place everything.

Answer 23

yes it is. i recommend watching the mighty car mods series on gramps and they change the trans to a manual. but it is costly and time consuming and requires a new transmission.

Answer 24

Yes

Answer 25

yes, but some vechicles may do not offer to manual transmission

Answer 26

Get rid of your automatic car and buy a standard.

Answer 27

As possible as changing an orange into an apple.

Answer 28

it is very possible but not cheap. the pilot bushing is changed for a bearing. teh flex plate is replaced with a fly wheel. and this is only the beginning. it can be done, it is not really hard but it takes time and a bit of knowledge.

Answer 29

Yes but you'll probably have to change the length of the driveshaft. You need a precise measurement to have it cut and balanced.

Answer 30

As said by the others, it isn't worth it. Ignore the single retard that has thumbed down them all as he/she/it obviously doesn't have a clue.

Answer 31

Of course, given enough money.

Answer 32

find the car you want. between changing everything over and trading the car in for what you want you'll be better off

Answer 33

not impossible, but a lot of labour intensive work

Answer 34

yes

Answer 35

yeah

Answer 36

In a nutshell, not worth it.

Answer 37

gav

Answer 38

no