Auto to Manual?

[NeilBey]

Hey guys. I was wondering if it is possible - or if anybody has done it already - to swap out the automatic tranny and put in the manual (or even the manumatic) tranny?

If this is is possible, could anyone direct me on where to buy parts for just such a conversion?

Automatic may be easier but it is definately not funner.

 

[dloeper2391]

yes

Yes it is possible u need a tranny swap but unless you just baught a brand spankin new car then its not worth it, I got mine used for 5500 and at the price a new tranny plus with instilation if you cant do yourself would cost I might as well get a new car with manual trans.

 

[Foolish]

Manumatic - relatively easy, but really not that much better than full-auto.
Manual, what ^ he ^ said. You'll spend less money and much less time just selling your car and buying the same thing in a stick.

 

[NeilBey]

How can I do Manumatic? Will I still have to change out the tranny?

 

[Foolish]

Almost certainly, the trans and the ECU, I'd expect. Also, I've driven Mazda's shift-o-matics, it's not worth the money to switch. They're not DSG's, they're automatics with +/- inputs that the transmission is free to ignore.

 

[Foolish]

Now that I've realized you're also the guy that wanted to do the 4-5 lug swap, I've got to reiterate: sell your car and buy an ES with a stick. You will absolutely save time, money, effort, frustration and down-time! Is this your "extra" car? Do you have a lift at home and air tools? You will not do either of these swaps in a weekend in your garage or driveway, and if you pay someone to do it, you'll be spending huge money that you don't need to. Just trade up, and save yourself a lot of trouble! Automatic trashmissions are one of those things that supposedly add value to a used car, so if you sell your LX auto and buy an ES stick, you may come out nearly even on price!

Or, if you really, really, really want to do the work you're talking about doing, just go ahead and mail me a check for $3000 first. Clearly, you don't need the money and just love throwing it away. I'll lighten your wallet for you if the weight is burdening you so.

 

[dloeper2391]

^

Yeah, while your flushing your wallet I could use 2600 for some coil-overs.

 

[gone_fishin]

Now that I've realized you're also the guy that wanted to do the 4-5 lug swap, I've got to reiterate: sell your car and buy an ES with a stick. You will absolutely save time, money, effort, frustration and down-time! Is this your "extra" car? Do you have a lift at home and air tools? You will not do either of these swaps in a weekend in your garage or driveway, and if you pay someone to do it, you'll be spending huge money that you don't need to. Just trade up, and save yourself a lot of trouble! Automatic trashmissions are one of those things that supposedly add value to a used car, so if you sell your LX auto and buy an ES stick, you may come out nearly even on price!

He speaks the absolute truth, listen to him. You'd be so far money ahead to just sell yours and buy the protege you're after it's not even funny.

However, if you're absolutely dying to spend thousands on a donar car, and to put in an ass-ton of wrench time complete with a divorce settlement and visits from your wife's alimony lawyer, by all means go ahead with the tranny swap and the 4-5 lug conversion. Anytime you're doing a major swap, buy the entire donor car I cannot stress that enough.

 

[gone_fishin]

Oh, and prepare to be bumming rides everywhere from now on while your daily driver is out of comission for months on end.

 

[NeilBey]

Alright, alright. Sheesh! I guess I'll keep with the auto then (and 4 lug). Spending money on a car whose value is depreciating everyday doesn't seem smart. But it's fun! I guess I love my car so much that I want to refine her a put S#@T load of money into her - but you guys are right. Thanks for talking me out of doing it.

Kinda had my sights set on the MS3 later down the line anyway...

 

[gone_fishin]

Spending money on a car whose value is depreciating everyday doesn't seem smart. But it's fun!

You are 100% right my friend.

Kinda had my sights set on the MS3 later down the line anyway...

much better platform than the protege or the msp IMO.

 

[dloeper2391]

weight

Yes the mazda3 is faster, but it's much bigger and is a lot heavier. Get a mazdaspeed 6 if your going that direction, skip the tranny swap and the lug swap is the bottom line.