Auto to Manual Transmission Swap

[subtledriver]

I'm chiming in here because of some miss-information listed in some of the threads above.

I was so turned off by losing all my write-ups due to photo bucket I gave up on finishing the auto to manual conversion write-up. There are a few different ways to skin a cat. One is removing all the computers and wiring from a doner manual trans car and rewriting the vin number of the recipient car to the doner ecu AND marrying all the body and other system computers to your new setup. (which I can also do) or.... the way I do it, keeping all the computers and wiring you have and making it work with the new transmission with custom firmware.

I do the auto to manual swaps at my shop on the side in San Diego, CA. I worked with a team of master ecu tuners and software engineers to come up with a solution for the swap WITHOUT swapping any modules/engine harness/ and other canbus components from the doner car. This process took many man hours to complete. The conversion requires a special firmware that basically tricks the auto computer into thinking the transmission is still there but functions like a manual swap. It will throw soft codes but nothing that shouldn't allow it to pass smog. (No check engine lights). I did this conversion on my 2016 brz limited with smart key. check out my instagram @subtledriver, the master tuner is listed on my posts about the car.

I have driven about 15k miles daily so far with the conversion and took wins and and several podiums in about 7 races, track, autocross, and off-road rallycross. I offer to do the work on the side over a period of a few days. So drop off the car with all the parts needed and wait about a week for the process and pick it up converted. It costs about 3-4k (sometimes less or more) give or take on average depending on your price on parts and if you have complications on your end.

All you need is transmission components, clutch system components a few wiring tricks on my end and a reflash of the ecu with special engineered firmware custom made for your car.

maybe sometime soon i might post the writeup on the major work if things let up for a few days here at work.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by subtledriver

I'm chiming in here because of some miss-information listed in some of the threads above. ........................

WOW! ....... that's impressive!

All the more reason just to switch cars ......


humfrz

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by humfrz

WOW! ....... that's impressive!

All the more reason just to switch cars ......


humfrz

All that farting and pushing just to shit out a twig.

Seems like people love to over complicate things. It's not like the twins are super rare car, where you dig through a hay stack to find one. But only to find one that's an auto.

[subtledriver]

The conversion is pretty simple for me. I have seen way too many of these cars with accident and frame damage to sell one with a perfectly straight body and amazing condition engine and go hunt for one with a manual trans that might have a worn or abused motor and possible crash damage. I like knowing what I'm getting. I guess it's a good idea to sell yours and find another that is already stick if your car is falling apart, or been abused or crashed.

I've converted a multitude of vehicles to manual trans over the years. Bmw's, infiniti q45, v8 swapped s13 with manual conversion, 240z with rb26 and manual conversion, honda, brz, ect. Pretty basic stuff. Not rocket science and not that expensive, plus you get to choose what clutch and flywheel you get and there are lots of options along the way. And you can sell the auto as a spare or replacement to offset some of the cost. The difference between the auto and manual cars is about the same value as just doing the comversion. And you can go back to auto in a few simple steps.

It's a very simple conversion, swap transmission, install clutch pedal, few wires get jumped, upload firmware and your car is now a manual.

Or try to sell your car, and find a manual car in same or better condition that is fully paid off with cash from your previous automatic car.

[MenoSkyz]

Im replying to a lot people here... thanks for everyone who gave some info though.

Originally Posted by 22R

I think I would research the reasons why people say to just sell and buy a car with a auto if I was you......may be good reason.


22R

Im going to guess that you meant to say manual vice auto?

Auto is definitely great for me, especially since SF BAY AREA traffic is ridiculous and I hated being stuck in stop & go traffic and some stupid steep hills in SF with my old DC2 5 years ago before more tech startups popped-up here.

I just miss being able to shift... although the AT w/ sport mode on is fun as well.

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

....Lastly, and what is the most difficult part of this install, is the decision of which aftermarket shift knob to buy.

I was not expecting that lol. But i appreciate the plethora of information prior to this statement.

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, Mike, let's hope you come to your senses before that time comes ....... here, let me get you started ........



humfrz

lol only time can tell, it is still awhile before my engine breaks down.(knock on wood) im still under 50k miles for a 2013.

Originally Posted by thecarfilmer

I was considering doing this too because I dont want to sell my car (first car, good memories). I honestly dont mind swapping it, just hesitant because I havent a successful swap and I have no idea what needs to be done in order to do so. But sometimes I like my auto so idkkkk

I feel you on that man, my car has some sentimental memories and when i look back on it, purchasing this car by myself when they first released the summer i graduated High School in 2012, actually made me make some life changing decisions. lol

The memories(or hardships) of dropping outta college to work full-time just to make payments.... and then saying fuck it im joining the military to make the payments.... lol but now im back and the cars been paid off, and finally got rid of the mindset I had back in the days.

Originally Posted by Twinz

Have you considered just replacing your engine (when it dies) with a rebuilt motor, keeping the auto, and then just buy a second twin with a manual transmission?

Basically spend a little money to keep the auto up to dependable DD condition, don't buy another car for DD duty, and then use that money for your manual twin car.

I actually have considered that, but im not sure exactly which engine im fond of tbh. Lol, i actually wanted to get a twin but thatd be a little redundant and I'd rather just have this car and then a DD/Family car.

Originally Posted by subtledriver

I'm chiming in here because of some miss-information listed in some of the threads above.

I was so turned off by losing all my write-ups due to photo bucket I gave up on finishing the auto to manual conversion write-up. There are a few different ways to skin a cat. One is removing all the computers and wiring from a doner manual trans car and rewriting the vin number of the recipient car to the doner ecu AND marrying all the body and other system computers to your new setup. (which I can also do) or.... the way I do it, keeping all the computers and wiring you have and making it work with the new transmission with custom firmware.

I do the auto to manual swaps at my shop on the side in San Diego, CA. I worked with a team of master ecu tuners and software engineers to come up with a solution for the swap WITHOUT swapping any modules/engine harness/ and other canbus components from the doner car. This process took many man hours to complete. The conversion requires a special firmware that basically tricks the auto computer into thinking the transmission is still there but functions like a manual swap. It will throw soft codes but nothing that shouldn't allow it to pass smog. (No check engine lights). I did this conversion on my 2016 brz limited with smart key. check out my instagram @subtledriver, the master tuner is listed on my posts about the car.

I have driven about 15k miles daily so far with the conversion and took wins and and several podiums in about 7 races, track, autocross, and off-road rallycross. I offer to do the work on the side over a period of a few days. So drop off the car with all the parts needed and wait about a week for the process and pick it up converted. It costs about 3-4k (sometimes less or more) give or take on average depending on your price on parts and if you have complications on your end.

All you need is transmission components, clutch system components a few wiring tricks on my end and a reflash of the ecu with special engineered firmware custom made for your car.

maybe sometime soon i might post the writeup on the major work if things let up for a few days here at work.

Thats dope man, definitely going to check it out!

[Twinz]

Originally Posted by MenoSkyz

I actually have considered that, but im not sure exactly which engine im fond of tbh. Lol, i actually wanted to get a twin but thatd be a little redundant and I'd rather just have this car and then a DD/Family car.

My wife drives a 2015 AT FRS and I have a 2016 MT FRS that we autocross. (I drive a company vehicle for work.)

We both prefer the manual on the track and the AT....pretty much everywhere else. (Well, we go to the Tail of the Dragon every year so we want the MT there too)

We have owned a lot of cars between the two of us and the AT FRS is our favorite DD car that either of us has ever owned.

Unless you need a lot of room, you already have an excellent DD. (For people who enjoy driving anyway) -no need to downgrade your DD experience.

[michaelneal9900]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...=1#post3046165