Is it really worth buying an auto car then swap it to manual?

[Mervyn]

I see a 240sx for sale, its an auto, great-excellent condition but is it worth buying it then swapping it to manual? Its hard to find 240sx's nowadays :-/

[NemeGuero]

Was it really worth asking twice?

And you have to decide for yourself what is "worth it." I bought an excellent condition kouki s14 for 6500. It was auto, now swapped and I'd do it all over again.

It cost me about $500 in parts and a week or so to do. (not straight.. i had finals).

But also, you shouldn't settle. Wait for what you want.

So, the choice is yours.

[Mervyn]

Well I'll most likely have the mechanics install it, but where did you get your manual swap parts?

[NemeGuero]

Someone on these boards. And if you're going to have it done, it's going to cost you quite a bit more.

I have an OEM clutch and pressure plate and new throw out bearing if you want. I also have a cut auto-brake pedal, but I'm sure you could cut yours or find one in a junk yard.

[OptionZero]

if you need to ask that much stuff, then you might not want to go thru with the swap.

wait and get a stick or get a different car (buy a 5spd integra and be happy)

[NemeGuero]

He's going to pay to have it done.

[Tenchuu]

well i bought mine never planning to use the engine/trans so i think it is fine.... altho if i had to do again i would wait until the engine is sitting in your gradge to but the car.

[ThatGuy]

If you have to ask....

Then no, it's not worth it.

[Mervyn]

All the parts may total up to about $500, any idea how much the mechanic might charge me for the full swap?

[KA24DESOneThree]

If you aren't getting a great deal, it's a waste of money.

[Wei240]

i'd say another 500 is my guess

[ai_jo]

All the parts may total up to about $500, any idea how much the mechanic might charge me for the full swap?

depends on shop. i remember getting a quote for about 1.5-2k for getting it done. (it was about 1 year ago)

[Phlip]

Auto cars are generally comparatively unmolested when looked at beside cars born as manual. I got my car for DIRT cheap with a blown SOHC engine and in good position, primed for the TwinCam (PS lines were already swapped) swap... It was a prime example for a 5-speed swap... Given the amount spent on EVERYTHING, I would do it again 5 times if placed into the same position.

[infinitexsound]

its easy, just do it..... its not like its an engine swap...

[psychoblue23]

This will be my last resort if I cant find a decent car in my area. There are a handfull of autos for sale so it may come down to that. If you ahve the time and patience, as long as your gettin a good deal, its not that big a deal...

[BoNyG515]

I think its worth it cuz the parts are fairly cheap (thanks to zilvia and craigslist), can be sourced, and is easy if you put the time into it...I always wanted to buy a cheap S13 convertible as a chill car but all of them are auto, but im down to convert them...

[Replicant_S14]

Auto cars are generally comparatively unmolested when looked at beside cars born as manual.

x2
The type of folks that buy an auto aren't particullarly rough on cars. There are exceptions but even still, you can only beat an auto so hard.

[TOMKAIRA93]

I'd say buy it. I bought my S13 SR20det (auto) for $1200 and it cost me $500 to make it 5 speed. Including tranny other parts and labor. I didn't have time on my hands so I had to pay. It's really not that hard.
Good luck!

[SimpleS14]

I wouldn't do it....since your going to pay someone to do the labor for you. Unless you have a hook-up from someone that understands that car pretty well.

[Mervyn]

Hmm... since it may cost a lot to convert from AT to MT at a shop, does anybody want to help me out? [I live near the Bay Area] I can try and get all the parts for the swap. I could do it myself, but the FAQ's section for the swap is currently down =(

[NemeGuero]

http://ka24development.com/transmission_swap.html

http://www.zeroyon.com/pics/installs/clutchlinemod/clutchlinemod.html

http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/s14_5speed_swap.htm

http://ka24development.com/cwilfert/S14_tranny_swap_electrical.html

[NemeGuero]

And if you wanna pay me.. I could do the swap for you.

[$D$]

it really is quite easy, i got an auto s13 that is in excellent condition probably because it was auto. You need to get lucky to find a clean, adult owned 5-spd

[CHARLIE2020]

I bought my car in the sig for $2,250 becasue I thought it was clean and worth and if I found another that clean I'd do it again, im mechanically include and do swaps and auto to 5spd conversions so cost for me is next to nothing besides buying the parts neccesary which is not hard to come by and no that expensive but yeah if you dont do it yoruself it'll cost alot from a professional mechanic.

[psychoblue23]

With how few 240s are left in the bay it may be the only way to get a decent car. Ive been looking for weeks and all the sellers have either flaked on me or flat out lied about the car. I found a auto with some body damage I am going to look at tomorrow so I might be doing the 5 spd swap soon too. At least the car will be running while I source parts. The datsun is enough of a project car for now, I cant handle any more headaches hahaha

[KFLS14]

Whats a rough estimate for buying a kouki S14 5speed parts, Trans with sensors,harness,Ecu,Driveshaft,clutch pedal,crossmember.?

To original question, all depends on the car how scarce it is. Especially 97/98 models are harder to comeby 5spd due to low production run.

[SilviaNinja240]

I see a 240sx for sale, its an auto, great-excellent condition but is it worth buying it then swapping it to manual? Its hard to find 240sx's nowadays :-/

I vote for no. Easier to just get a MT, saves a lot of trouble

[infinitexsound]

Whats a rough estimate for buying a kouki S14 5speed parts, Trans with sensors,harness,Ecu,Driveshaft,clutch pedal,crossmember.?

To original question, all depends on the car how scarce it is. Especially 97/98 models are harder to comeby 5spd due to low production run.
SEARCH

[Mervyn]

Did you guys experience any trouble driving or shifting after the swap? How hard is it to find these parts? I think I'll just get the auto and swap it then, the DMV or insurance company wont care, will they?

[ThatGuy]

Why would they care?

[S14DB]

x2
The type of folks that buy an auto aren't particullarly rough on cars. There are exceptions but even still, you can only beat an auto so hard.
Auto Tranny is much more gentle on the engine. Well the Tq saves the engine from all the shifting harshness.

[drift freaq]

http://ka24development.com/transmission_swap.html

http://www.zeroyon.com/pics/installs/clutchlinemod/clutchlinemod.html

http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/s14_5speed_swap.htm

http://ka24development.com/cwilfert/S14_tranny_swap_electrical.html
you left out my auto to 5 speed swap faq right here on zilvia

[NemeGuero]

He mentioned the faq wasn't online.

[Mervyn]

Actually, I mentioned that the FAQ section was down [and still is] so I couldn't view the manual swap faq.

Btw if a 89-93 240sx hatchback is being parted out, is it OK to buy their whole manual swap parts?

[ThatGuy]

Actually, I mentioned that the FAQ section was down [and still is] so I couldn't view the manual swap faq.

No it's not. Try looking a little harder. :rant:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/forumdisplay.php?f=11

More Specifically, here is DriftFreaq's write-up. :duh:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=21181

[NemeGuero]

Meh, I went by what he said.. plus I didn't have that link in my "Tech" favorites.

[nistech]

i dont think dmv keeps a record of ur car being auto or manual

[NemeGuero]

Your VIN defines auto or manual. So technically they kinda do know.

[Phlip]

Your VIN defines auto or manual. So technically they kinda do know.
That, it may, but my car was inspected 2 days following the completion of my auto --> 5-speed (oh, I live in NC) and it was never a topic of conversation, outside of the fact that no one touched the clutched pedal prior to starting the car.

[byhi]

my roomates car was auto until he bought ti and swapped it, he claims that the advantages are that the auto barely ever kit high rpms, and htat the e-brake is still fresh as hell

[Mervyn]

So is it OK to buy the manual parts from someone thats parting out a S13 fastback?

[OptionZero]

dude, you need to read