According to VQpower, you have to get a 5spd starter to do the 5spd swap. I am wondering if this is even true? From what I've heard or seen, it's universal. So what is the truth?

 

if the auto flywheel is not the same as the manual flywheel, and since the starter pinion gear mates with the flywheel teeth, the starters would have to be different from auto to manual (at least internally and at very minimum the pinion gears).

 

I'm pretty sure they're the same. I have a 97 5 speed and bought a used one off ebay that came from a 99 auto.