Auto to Manual...Can it be done? Is it Worth it?

[MyEarsHurt]

Well, I bought a automatic 98 gt vert, and I desperately wish it was a manual. While chaning lanes and going down the expressway, I fake like I am changing gears and my girlfriend just laughs. So my question is this... Is it possible to change my automatic to a manual, if so what would it involve? What would I need to buy, I need a checklist so I can see if this would be worth it. Would I see a great increase in speed and acceleration? I have never owned a manual, but they look like a LOT of fun. If anyone has had any experience with this please let me know I would really appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

 

[00BlackBeautyGT]

Keep it and live with it or sell it and get a manual. Too me it's not worth it. It's just too much work and money. I'm in the same shoes as you. Mines a 2000 GT auto and wished it was a stick. In the beginning I was actually looking for an automatic only because I inteded for this car to be my daily driver (hours and hours in traffic), turns out that I normally drive it only on weekends because I want to keep it new and immaculate. I use my girls beater for my daily driver now. But when I get in my GT, MAN do I wish it was a stick.

 

[00BlackBeautyGT]

Oh yeah, I ****ing hate it when people compliment my car and then say "It's an automatic?"

 

[GTn00b]

Oh yeah, I ****ing hate it when people compliment my car and then say "It's an automatic?"

I hate that **** like oh its an automatic hes a *****, then he goes and gets in his 93 honda accord I cant stand those mother ****ers, talking trash on my car and then go get in a pos 1000 dollar car, I could of bought 14 honda accords!!!

 

[Sinultros]

Oh yeah, I ****ing hate it when people compliment my car and then say "It's an automatic?"

"Nice car, but eww why an auto?"

Sounds all too familiiar for me.

 

[MyEarsHurt]

Well, at least I am not alone. We should start some kind of support group for one another...

 

[geegee]

I suppose it depends on what you do with your car. With a 'vert there's no advantages either. Trade it in on a coupe with the manual tranny you want. Your difference cost is likely to be small if the cars are in equal condition and mileage. You need to be lighter as well as have more hp at the wheels.

 

[DBMSTNG]

for the money and time it takes to do the swap, you could make the auto alot faster than the 5 spd. so from a $ to performance standpoint, no, it's not worth it.

from the fun standpoint, only you can decide that. i've considered the swap myself, but i won't do it unless i can find a hell of a deal on a 5 or 6 spd.

 

[98SteedaStang]

Man I hate that s**t. "Is that a 5 speed?"
"No is an auto"
They automatically think your a puss. I so wish I had a five speed though. There are plenty of thing you can do to your auto to make it just as fast. Get a gear if you dont already have one. Second a good torque converter will work wonders. I plan on getting a PI 3200 stall this summer, dont forget the trans cooler though. I have heard really good things about this jerry mod. There's a how to here--> http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/index.html. along with some other tranny tips an info.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I'm used to it. My '88 stang is an AOD and i always get the "Sick car, too bad it's an Auto" line. It doesn't matter that it's faster than 4 out of 5 stangs i'll see out on the streets, if it isn't stick it's as if it doesn't matter.

I can rationalize though. I enjoy driving stick, that's why i am converting it to 5-spd.

my '03 and '85 are 5-spd.

 

[MoNsTaMaCk24]

Little off topic but my brother rented a thunderbird and they have the 5 speed auto transmission... THEY SUCK!!! I feel bad for the new stang... 4r70w nice auto tranny!!! KEEP IT! They think your slow!

 

[outlaww77]

can you say 14.1 n/a 97 auto

CAN YOU SAY 14.1 N/A -N- I CAN LET THE TOP DOWN 97 AUTO! THATS ALL I GOT TO SAY

 

[00BlackBeautyGT]

Keep your money!!! And take that money that you would spend for the swap and get gears, converter, tranny cooler, j-mod or shift kit. You'll be as fast as a stick. If you have money to spare, get some other engine mods done and you'll be faster than a stick. Just my .02 cents.

 

[gruntman31]

This is what I think you should do:

Lentech valve body w/transbrake
PI 3200 Stall TC
Tranny cooler
GEARS! GEARS! GEARS!
Nice little custom tune.

I went with a PA S/S valve body, PI 2800 stall, and 3.73s. I was very happy with my setup until recently. My tranny is wearing out, and doesn't fast or hard anymore. Looks like it's about time for the Lentech street terminator......or Tremec 3550..........I can't decide whether to keep the auto or get a manual either.......if I were you, I'd just build my auto up.

 

[MyEarsHurt]

Thanks for all the input everyone, I guess I will just stick with my manual and try to live with it. Is it difficult to swap out gears on an auto? And what size gears should I put in it?

 

[streetstang03]

Thanks for all the input everyone, I guess I will just stick with my manual and try to live with it. Is it difficult to swap out gears on an auto? And what size gears should I put in it?

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