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automatic to manuel swap

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Old 07-16-2010, 10:44 AM
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automatic to manuel swap

Hello, I have posted several threads on the topic of a automatic to manuel swap. I have everything changed over with the exception of the engine and tranny. I have changed all the wiring threwout the car. So here is my question... My 6 port engine is blown up ATM... I was wondering if my 6 speed tranny will bolt up to my 4 port engine? I'm sure that I will have to change engine harnesses of course... But I just need to know if the tranny and flywheel will bolt up to the engine. I have had several negitive coments on this topic and all the threads I have posted so with all due respect I appreshiate anyones help, but if you feel that you must comment on it or you feel that you must be negitive or assnine then please stay away! I appreshiate any help that anyone is willing to give me... I was told that I did not have the "knowlege or experiance" to do this swap... and I have the major parts completed...
Old 07-16-2010, 10:46 AM
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look for rotary ressurections thread that will help you if your really interested
Old 07-16-2010, 10:47 AM
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^Dude, please have your secretary call my secretary.
Old 07-16-2010, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by MrWankler
Hello, I have posted several threads on the topic of a automatic to manuel swap. I have everything changed over with the exception of the engine and tranny. I have changed all the wiring threwout the car. So here is my question... My 6 port engine is blown up ATM... I was wondering if my 6 speed tranny will bolt up to my 4 port engine? I'm sure that I will have to change engine harnesses of course... But I just need to know if the tranny and flywheel will bolt up to the engine. I have had several negitive coments on this topic and all the threads I have posted so with all due respect I appreshiate anyones help, but if you feel that you must comment on it or you feel that you must be negitive or assnine then please stay away! I appreshiate any help that anyone is willing to give me... I was told that I did not have the "knowlege or experiance" to do this swap... and I have the major parts completed...
Honestly I think it is a waste of time and money to convert an automatic to a manual. Sell the automatic and buy a manual. Even if you sell your car at a loss it will cost you less if you consider the parts and labor for your conversion.
Old 07-16-2010, 11:54 AM
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Trade it... plenty of used RX8's on the market. Many with fresh engines.
Old 07-16-2010, 12:13 PM
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Why are you guys pounding on him? Don't like the idea that there's someone who has the ***** to embark on a project like this? And you don't?

Sorry I can't answer your question, MR. You might be stuck with measuring things yourself. But you've already come this far, and at least the engine and transmission are out of the car.

Ken
Old 07-16-2010, 12:37 PM
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Seriously kudos to you for undertaking such a project. Some feel its a waste, but this takes a lot of effort to do. Good luck and hope it works out for ya. BTW did you swap the gauge cluster? Why didn't you get the 6port?
Old 07-16-2010, 12:45 PM
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will you do it to my manual ? :]
Old 07-16-2010, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ken-x8
Why are you guys pounding on him? Don't like the idea that there's someone who has the ***** to embark on a project like this? And you don't?

Sorry I can't answer your question, MR. You might be stuck with measuring things yourself. But you've already come this far, and at least the engine and transmission are out of the car.

Ken
I don't have the ***** to tell my friend that spent $3000 for a basic 03' Neon, and then decided to turn it into a $10,000 'project.' So now he has a faster $13,000 03' Neon when he could have just bought a...Ooh I don't know...a manual Mazda RX-8 GT fully loaded perhaps?

My point is before a project is started, there has to be common sense used to decide if such an endeavor is worthwhile.
Old 07-16-2010, 01:45 PM
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OP. I don't see why it wouldn't bolt up, the bell housing should line up, and so should the flywheel. Your main problem is going to be the ecu. The manual ecu probably won't work since it will be looking for missing hardware. the auto ecu probably won't work, because it will be trying to control a transmission that isn't there. I could be wrong here though.
Old 07-16-2010, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Strata-R
...My point is before a project is started, there has to be common sense used to decide if such an endeavor is worthwhile.
He got all that advice - in spades - when he first announced this project. In his new post, he referred to that and rather politely asked us to let it be. He also pointed out how far along he is. Rather late to tell him "don't start."

Maybe your friend got $10,000 worth of pleasure out of his Neon conversion. I think most individuals who embark on a custom car project are in it for the fun, not the economics.

Ken
Old 07-16-2010, 04:09 PM
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Well, I realize it is a timely project. The only reason I even considered the project is this... My home town flooded about 2 months ago and the rx8 that I bought was a repo at my local bank. Once the car was flooded it was sent to someone to undertake the project of fixing it and getting it back to a running state. Well there was some contraversy over the car and the bank recieved the car back. So I bought it for $1000. The body has a few dings and such but over all is in decent condition. So I took the car in and changed all fluids in the car, cleaned all electrical connectors, drained the gas tank, flushed the auto. tranny, and got the car running. Well after I got the car running stuff started to quite working... It was as if the ecu was loosing sectors... or mabe the body control moduel was going bad. Soooo I got on the internet and found a local wrecking yard that had what was supposed to be a automatic car... upon arriving I realized that it was a 6 speed car, so without realizing the difference in engines I got a price on buying the car that was totaled out. I gave 1500 dollars after doing research on all differences for the car. So I have a total of 2500 plus the money to flush the fluids in the first car, in both cars conbined. As of rite now I have the full body wiring harness changed out, I changed out the underhood harness, Im working on door harnesses ATM, I installed the clutch pedal and master cylinder, changed the brake master cylinder, changed all ABS/trac controll modual/wiring and redid all the brake lines leading to the abs modual. The parts car came with a AEM cold air intake and greddy gp2 exhaust which is around 1000 dollars in upgrades for free. I would have had to bought all my radio gear had I decided to leave it a automatic. So with me wanting a project and wanting a 6 speed car it was a no brainer for the money. I have changed the ECU and the gauge cluster and should have the interior back in tomorrowish. But my delima is that the 6 speed car has 75lbs of compression which from my manuel it says it should have a minimal 98lbs and perfect would be 120. But yea I was basically just wanting to swap my engine harness and drop the 6 speed in the car so that I could drive it a little while I get the 6 port finished... I mean im not hard up for a vehicle I have a 2004 slk230 mercedes... butttttt Im starting college soon and dont want to leave the benz in the parking lot hahaha... but yea thats why I am doing the conversion, had it not been for the money that im saving then I would have NEVER considered the swap haha
Old 07-16-2010, 04:51 PM
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Props! I want to convert my '66 Mustang from a 3 speed auto to a 6 speed. Should be a lot easier with a 289 though, lol. I think you should post some pics and document this project and more people will chime in. Don't worry about all the people trying to tell you what the best move is, keep trucking away man.
Old 07-16-2010, 04:57 PM
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I havent done much as far as documenting it goes, but I will get some pics of it tonight and get them on here haha... my parts car is like a bare hull with everything layin in it lol... its been well "picked"
Old 07-16-2010, 08:58 PM
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Of all the suggestions people have given the OP in all these threads, the one I'm amazed that no one has thrown out there is "spellcheck"...
Old 07-16-2010, 09:14 PM
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Thumbs up

Sir, in no way did that comment help me complete a automatic to manual swap on my 2004 rx8... Keep the comments positive and not degrading
Old 07-16-2010, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by MrWankler
I have everything changed over with the exception of the engine and tranny. [snip]... and I have the major parts completed...
I know you asked that you would "appreshiate" help, and that if I felt "that you must comment on it or you feel that you must be negitive or assnine" that I should not post, but I am curious as to what you define as the "major parts" to this swap? I would consider the tranny to be at least one of those parts.

Kudos on your level of ambition. I am impressed. Yep. Impressed.
Old 07-16-2010, 09:20 PM
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Oh, and who the hell is "Manuel" and what does he have to do with this?
Old 07-16-2010, 10:03 PM
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I think you have to buy a RX8 ecu from asia, I know they have a 5speed 4 port RX8 available in asia, but it is going to cost you 5-7 Benjamen. I don't know if it will work on your 6 speed, but I think it will because in manual there is only a speed sensor and a neutral switch, also you have to reprogram your key, and remote.
Old 07-16-2010, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by pussywillow1972
Of all the suggestions people have given the OP in all these threads, the one I'm amazed that no one has thrown out there is "spellcheck"...
spell check? before that issue is the issue with the blocks of text. paragraphs are our friends.
Old 07-16-2010, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by carbonRX8
Oh, and who the hell is "Manuel" and what does he have to do with this?
Manuel is the guy that will do the work - jeez Carbon !
Old 07-16-2010, 11:10 PM
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Well, yes the tranny would be a major part of course... But what I was refering to would be changing every piece of wiring threwout the car. Cabin harness, underhood harness, door harnesses (I have diff speakers between the cars...) I have changed all the brake lines/moduals, and basically everything electronic due to it being a flood. Reason I didnt consider the tranny was because its a fairly quick change compaired to everything else that I have done. (I have worked on it many 4-5 days) BTW I realize I spelled "MANUAL" incorrectly... I was in a hurry and trying to get some answers as I was working on the car......
Old 07-16-2010, 11:14 PM
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Another question... I have almost completed reinstalling the interior... and the data screen in the center of the dash is solid red... also radio isnt powering on... any clues?
Old 07-16-2010, 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Strata-R
Honestly I think it is a waste of time and money to convert an automatic to a manual. Sell the automatic and buy a manual. Even if you sell your car at a loss it will cost you less if you consider the parts and labor for your conversion.
Exactly. Unless you have scads of free time and don't know any women.

Now, if you pull it off, great! But just BUYING a MT in the first place makes too much sense. Your VIN should actually match what's under the paint. Your's won't.

Good luck, though!
Old 07-16-2010, 11:45 PM
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I will have less than half the money in the car when finished... I graduated high school in may so yea money is kinda on the tight side...


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