I was wondering how much it would cost and if it would be worth it to swap a transmission to get from an auto to a 5-speed. Would it be worth it? Has anyone done it? If you have any idea please post.

Thanks

 

It can be done. It can cost anywhere freom 3k5k to have that done, You will need a new trans, clutch setup, tranny tcm, new ecu, linkage, etc. The lists goes on. Conversions will always have problems. You are better off buying a 5 speed. If you really want to keep the current car and you ahve the $$, then go for it. There have been a few people that have converted over. Talk to Need4pwr or Turbo95max.

 

I always wonder about this myself. If I had the money, I would do a swap. I know people will say it's better to just buy a used 5spd. Maxima, but that alone isn't cheap either. Since I don't have the money to do the swap, the best thing I can do is to get a valve body recalibration(Don's VB to be specific, which is my next plan) and maybe later on a Level 10 torque converter.

 

Well, there are a lot of things to look at here...I myself am aiming for a tranny swap in the near future. Depends on how new your car is, as is the case with my buddy Chinkzilla. He's had his car for about 4 months or so now and he would actually LOSE money from trading in since he already paid for his tax/license and he would have to pay for the tax/license for a new car, assuming he is buying a new 5-speed. As for myself, I have just grown very attached to my car and I have great faith in the shop doing the conversion. I was quoted a price of $2200 parts and labor included. The shop also told me this is a high balling price, so I'm probably looking at about $2000 flat. If you're curious about the price for parts, you can call a junk/scrap yard and ask for a "transmission conversion kit", this will include all the good stuff that is needed. DO NOT ask for a manual transmission as this will only yield about 3/4 of the parts you'll actually need for the swap. Sorry for the long a$$ response, but this isn't your basic bolt-on.

 

yea its alot of work. Anyways, i picked up all my tranny parts for about 1400. This is for the LSD tranny. A non LSD tranny should be a bit cheaper. Youll need alot of parts aside from the tranny. oh, and you dont need a tranny ECU for a 5speed.

 

I think I'll just wait until the tranny dies.

 

I completely agree with you on this. I too have auto and wished it was stick, but im not fortune enough to sell this car and buy a 5 speed so i bought the VB mod on hope of better accel and handle a bit more beating. Another thing is that i do drive stick everyday. My work truck is a 5speed but it is damn slow.

Anyone know how much a new torque converters costs from Level 10 anyways? I think its about time forf me to upgrade.

 

Possible? Yes. Practical? No.

Price it out. You will faint when you find out how expensive this is.
Don't imagine this is just a trans-for-trans swap. You will need a
flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, clutch pedal, clutch
hydraulics, shifter, etc. etc.

If you are absolutely in love with the idea of converting to 5-speed, look
for a wrecked car (an organ donor) that you can buy for low money. That
way you get everything you need in one package.

The best course of action is to find a clean 5-speed, buy it, and sell your present car.
Who knows, you might even find a guy who is willing to trade because he just got married,
his wife can't drive a stick, etc. etc.

 

Reverse on my auto '95se tranny is TOTALLY gone, and I have to have a new tranny installed - I realllllly want a 5spd, and if I am replacing my tranny anyways, should I go ahead and get a conversion. I would be saving 600$ from the taxes of buying a new one to keep my car.....
whoever said they got a quote of 2200, where do you live?

 

Based on your many previous posts which mention this problem I suspect your transmission needs to be rebuilt. However, check with your dealer about these Technical Service Bulletins...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Number: NTB96009
Bulletin Sequence Number: 16
Date of Bulletin: 9605
NHTSA Item Number: SB047655
Make: NISSAN
Model: MAXIMA
Year: 1995
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC
Summary: A/T WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Number: NTB96009A
Bulletin Sequence Number: 47
Date of Bulletin: 9606
NHTSA Item Number: SB048752
Make: NISSAN
Model: MAXIMA
Year: 1995
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC
Summary: A/T WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Number: NTB96009B
Bulletin Sequence Number: 60
Date of Bulletin: 9609
NHTSA Item Number: SB049474
Make: NISSAN
Model: MAXIMA
Year: 1995
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC
Summary: A/T-WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. *TT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I did the swap myself. Just find a wrecked max and its no problem. As for the 3rd gen I had to change the computer. Theres no customizing except I had to cut my linkages. Shouldnt really have to though, so if you find a wrecked max it will just cost you whatever the parts cost if you do it yourself. If your planning on pating someone then just buy a new car. Trust me.

 

$3500 dollars for tax, license, and registration at least is what the dealer quoted for me, and it's a newer car, they devaluate my car even though it's less than a year old, so I'd be paying about 7k out my *** for a new 5-speed of the same year as mine. So as I see it my options are pretty limited if I want to have a clutch pedal underneath my left foot anytime soon. 3k for a tranny swap all of a sudden doesn't seem so bad. Too bad there aren't that many wrecked 2k 5-speeds out there.. As far as labor, I will probably take it to the shope me and MaxedBandit frequent or I will take it to my uncle who's a transmission specialist. I would look into doing it myself, as I don't mind the sweat, but to this date there are no detailed instructions as to how this might be acomplished for my vehicle and I don't want to be the first.

 

I live in South Cali...this price is special for me because the shop has made so much money for customers I bring and myself that it's not even funny. Well, the only problem is, I still don't have that much moneny lying around, so I think I'm gonna sell my rims soon...can't decide yet...

 

These are the parts you need for a 5spd conversion: 5spd tranny, bell housing, rear engine plate, throwout bearing, pilot bushing, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, shifter, shift fork, support rod, 5spd engine and transmission mounts, rewiring of the inhibitor and nuetral switch, 5spd clutch and brake pedal, clutch master cylinder, clutch fluid line (from cylinder to tranny). I can tell ya now you'd be wasting money using the OEM disk. So assuming you upgraded to a lighter flywheel/stronger clutch during the swap that would run about $500-800 right there. Like everyone says find a parts car, it makes these things so much easier its not even funny.