I know there have been a few postings on the site as to HOW to do this, but I'm more interested in how DIFFICULT it is to do for someone like myself. I have little knowledge and experience under the hoods of cars, but have friends with a lot of knowledge and and am just curious as to how big of a project this would be. How long would it probably take? If i decided to not do it myself and have a professional do it, around how much would that run me?

I ask all this because I'm looking for a manual car but am finding more automatic cars out there. My thinking is to get an automatic and convert it to a manual as a project to do with the car, but I want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head before I do. Please let me know.

 

As long as you have all your parts then it can be done in a weekend. Not a difficult job really.

 

Its not that difficult. If you have all the parts on hand, its a weekend project, like Josh said. Having all parts on hand is the key
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Bubbler pipe

 

Is this something you would recommend? I'm concerned with possibly effecting the authenticity of the car. If it was built an automatic but I change it to a manual, is it going to lose it's value? Also, how much do you think the parts would run me to do this?

 

No worries on authenticity, esp if its a C-code car. It will actually enhance the value, if done properly.

Look here for a parts list and writeup on the project:

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_B...assic_swaps.htm
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Art On The Hill Condo

 

Big Ben kids...

 

:scratch:
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VAPORIZER WIKI

 

Is that the bear that drank all the beer and passed out?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/West/08/18/bear...reut/index.html

 

Parliment.

 

As the others mentioned, it's not that difficult to swap in a stick. Trickiest thing is to have ALL the parts you need before beginning. The easiest (not necessarily cheapest) way is to buy the entire "kit" from somebody like Modern Driveline. Heck, I think the most time consuming part of my swap was swapping the pedal assembly... (well, that and removing/rebuilding/reinstalling the "perfect" used transmsission I bought :angry: ) .

With a good mechanically-inclined friend and ALL the parts, the swap can be done in a weekend.

 

Blake got it.

 

I agree that a properly done 4-speed (toploader) swap will enhance the value over an automatic. However, I don't think a newer 5 speed will "enhance" the value, although it shouldn't hurt it either.

With a toploader though, you are going to pay more for a rebuild/parts than you would with a newer 5-speed. And if you plan on getting a driver, you should consider the 5-speed route, especially if you want a car that has a 3.50 or lower rear gear ratio - you're going to need that extra gear for the highway.