Converting an Automatic to a Manual

[ianM]

Hi everyone,

So, I'm not sure how many of you saw my thread over in the wanted section, but my search for a low mileage, top spec Rover 75 in one of my chosen colours continues! Turns out I've managed to find a car that's everything I'm looking for - apart from the gearbox.

I know everyone says the auto box is absolutely fine, and is actually better than the manual, but I'd infinitely prefer a manual box. I like to feel in control when I drive, and for a number of other reasons I can't really explain very well, it's got to be manual!

So, I was wondering - has anyone ever converted a 2.5 V6 auto to a manual, what bits would I need to get in order to do it, and could anyone recommend a garage or workshop in the West Midlands I could get in touch with to get a quote for how much the work would cost.

Thanks in advance! :}

[GT Courier]

I am no expert, but assuming it can be done it is going to cost you a lot more than getting a manual in the first place...

You are just going to have to be patient!

[Number 6]

Hi everyone,

So, I'm not sure how many of you saw my thread over in the wanted section, but my search for a low mileage, top spec Rover 75 in one of my chosen colours continues! Turns out I've managed to find a car that's everything I'm looking for - apart from the gearbox.

I know everyone says the auto box is absolutely fine, and is actually better than the manual, but I'd infinitely prefer a manual box. I like to feel in control when I drive, and for a number of other reasons I can't really explain very well, it's got to be manual!

So, I was wondering - has anyone ever converted a 2.5 V6 auto to a manual, what bits would I need to get in order to do it, and could anyone recommend a garage or workshop in the West Midlands I could get in touch with to get a quote for how much the work would cost.

Thanks in advance! :}

Keep looking for a Manual it will be a lot easier and cheaper:smilie_re:

[tsautos]

The factory contemplated this when the japanese exports came back for uk homolegation, and decided not to go down this route because of costing.
It could be done but you would need a donor vehicle for all the parts.
you could also do it and not fit everthing required for instance the link for your reverse light switch would'nt be there, and your ews would need changing because the ecu's are different and needs to see park and neutral for starting.
but that said it can be done, main harness change required along with all ecu's engine mounts,pedals,instrument pack,remote gear lever,drive shafts,flywheel, gearbox,
so to sum up a massive undertaking.

[ianM]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm starting to follow quite how much of a massive undertaking this would be, but I'd still be interested in pricing it up. Does anyone know around how much I'd be looking at, or, even better, could anyone suggest somewhere in the West Mids that I could contact that may be willing to do it?

[Devilish]

Hi everyone,

So, I'm not sure how many of you saw my thread over in the wanted section, but my search for a low mileage, top spec Rover 75 in one of my chosen colours continues! Turns out I've managed to find a car that's everything I'm looking for - apart from the gearbox.

I know everyone says the auto box is absolutely fine, and is actually better than the manual, but I'd infinitely prefer a manual box. I like to feel in control when I drive, and for a number of other reasons I can't really explain very well, it's got to be manual!

So, I was wondering - has anyone ever converted a 2.5 V6 auto to a manual, what bits would I need to get in order to do it, and could anyone recommend a garage or workshop in the West Midlands I could get in touch with to get a quote for how much the work would cost.

Thanks in advance! :}

Tsk Tsk, some people just have no patience, they want everything yesterday. I was after one for a month or two, a lot of help from members searching with me
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=47452&highlight=firefrost+tourer

and hey presto
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=56593&highlight=firefrost+tourer

It only took me just over 7 months :D :getmecoat:

[McNeillie]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm starting to follow quite how much of a massive undertaking this would be, but I'd still be interested in pricing it up. Does anyone know around how much I'd be looking at, or, even better, could anyone suggest somewhere in the West Mids that I could contact that may be willing to do it?

The man to contact is Nick at Austin Garages, Burton on Trent BUT Why Bother? The right car will come along if you wait!

It will be horrendously expensive and are you going to buy new or used parts?

It will also be an undesirable Spec if you ever decide to sell (manual 2.5)

Ian

[ianM]

The man to contact is Nick at Austin Garages, Burton on Trent BUT Why Bother? The right car will come along if you wait!

It will be horrendously expensive and are you going to buy new or used parts?

It will also be an undesirable Spec if you ever decide to sell (manual 2.5)

Ian

I'm not going to sell - the plan is, and always has been, to get the lowest mileage car I can find in the spec I want for keeps. Same way I have a Rover 214 K Reg with 22k miles on it, so I don't think I really have to worry about it being an undesirable spec to other people ;) Problem is, the spec doesn't come up that often, and this one has everything I want bar the gearbox.

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll get in touch and see : )

[ianM]

Tsk Tsk, some people just have no patience, they want everything yesterday. I was after one for a month or two, a lot of help from members searching with me
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=47452&highlight=firefrost+tourer

and hey presto
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=56593&highlight=firefrost+tourer

It only took me just over 7 months :D :getmecoat:

Thanks for the interesting story! I'm just coming up to seven months now myself :getmecoat: Good to see it's not just me who's picky about the car they're buying though - although I have an extra requirement that makes things a bit trickier, which is the hyper low (sub 35k) mileage!

[Devilish]

I was lucky with the mileage, but wanting mint bodywork, would have meant low mileage wouls probably come along with it. What was in my favour was i knew they were made, so at some point i would find one. You do not know how close I came to buying an immaculate auto diesel, I even enquired about the epic task of auto to manual diesel conversion at one point. but I was certain that if I did, fate would drop a manual in my lap, and sure enough it did. Facelift manual diesel Firefrost connoisseur tourer, immaculate bodywork. Bonuses were cruise control, curtain airbags, full IPK kit, auto rearview mirror and rain sensing wipers. I knew i would have to strip out the interior as it was oak and tuscany as I expected.
I do not know if a 2.5 manual was actually produced, what has Reebs or Duotone said, or do you know already.

[stocktake]

You would have great difficulty insuring the car i'm afraid. :( it would be fine until the bit that says
Modifications......................Gulp

[ianM]

You would have great difficulty insuring the car i'm afraid. :( it would be fine until the bit that says
Modifications......................Gulp

I actually thought the same, but I've checked with the insurers, and they're apparently fine with it. Which is nice! :)

I do not know if a 2.5 manual was actually producedYeah, they do tend to come up fairly often - I've seen quite a few on Autotrader, but usually in silver, or wedgewood blue. Never in a strong colour ;) What's the Tuscany interior look like? Do you have any before and after shots?

The other option was to go for a Club and try and upgrade it to Connoisseur spec, but if anything that's going to take longer, be more expensive, and more awkward than converting the gearbox!

Plus, it'll be a nice introduction to KV6 engines... :getmecoat:

[GT Courier]

Look mush, you wont ever do it so forget about it!

NOW!

[ianM]

Look mush, you wont ever do it so forget about it!

NOW!

http://images2.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4403977/Challenge-accepted.jpg?imageSize=Medium&generatorName=Challenge-Accepted-HD-1

Mush? :s

In all seriousness though, the point of this thread was to gauge whether it was possible, and to check on what sort of price I'd be looking at. In that way, it's been pretty helpful - most people wouldn't consider attempting it, and it'd cost a bomb. Always interested in as many opinions as possible though

[stocktake]

Surprised with the insurers, but if they put it in writing ;)

Next problem would be the wiring harness I suppose, the Auto box has its own ECU. That would mean the engine harness would be incorrect ?:shrug: moving on from that the Main ECU would not be set up to talk to the Auto box one. This would no doubt mean a new ECU. Depends how much you could source from the donor car I suppose and how much of it's ID you could steal :)

[ianM]

Surprised with the insurers, but if they put it in writing ;)

Next problem would be the wiring harness I suppose, the Auto box has its own ECU. That would mean the engine harness would be incorrect ?:shrug: moving on from that the Main ECU would not be set up to talk to the Auto box one. This would no doubt mean a new ECU. Depends how much you could source from the donor car I suppose and how much of it's ID you could steal :)

I have a donor car in mind that I was considring buying as a whole, so I'd hope I'd be able to get everything I needed, rather than having to have several trips to a scrapper :) Thanks for the advice and help!

[COLVERT]

Don't do it !!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad:

Unless you are very very rich and have the patience of jove. :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

OH !! and are young enough to have the time to see it finished. About ten years should see you through. Lol
:D
:D
:D
:D:D:D:D

[rrobson]

The other option was to go for a Club and try and upgrade it to Connoisseur spec, but if anything that's going to take longer, be more expensive, and more awkward than converting the gearbox!

i dissagree. i bougt mine as a club se and when i had finished, you wouldnt have been able to tell it appart from a real connie se. i fitted auto dip rear view mirror, parling sensors, full memory heated seats, oem xenon headlignts, and it already had cruise. the only thing i didnt do was headlight powerwash, which i had but didnt fit, illuminated vanity mirrors which again, i had, folding mirrors and the message centre ipk.
but most importantly, i got everything from the scrappers so dirt cheap, and i bet it cost me no more than £300, not to mention the money i got back from selling some of the parts, and the extra £900 i got when i sold the car. didnt even take long to fit everything.

[Platemaker]

Anything is possible. However, as others have pointed out it would be difficult to justify. We are however putting an original sunroof in one!:D

[Devilish]

The other option was to go for a Club and try and upgrade it to Connoisseur spec, but if anything that's going to take longer, be more expensive, and more awkward

IDo you have any before and after shots?

Nah, it is faaaaarrrrr easier and cleaner,

My Facelift Connie saloon just after I bought it
The seats are Black Axis and Tuscany woven cloth with Piping
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn105/reebspics/AxisLRIbetter2.jpg
..

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/seatbelt.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/sb1.jpg

I added oak dash trim, gearknob, and steering wheel.
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/radio1.jpg
Then I thought nah, time for full walnut & leather job, I had to completely wire up the electric seats, fitted new leather gaiters while I had it apart.
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/int4.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/floorpic.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/6-1.jpg
..
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/5-1.jpg
..
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/4-1.jpg

I then bought an identical tourer, identical interior but with quite a few more optional extras, and did the same to that,

The wiring was already there for the front seats, pic just before I removed the rear Axis/tuscany
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/3-2.jpg
I decided to change the steering wheel from Smokestone/walnut to Ash grey/walnut

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/swheel.jpg

The rear centre seatbelt had been cutl by a numpty who did not realise it was an integral part of the seat. The scrap velour one I got hold of had a ski hatch, so I in for a penny, in for a ski hatch. So I completely stripped both rear seats, and fitted my leather covers to the frame with the ski hatch.

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/ts1st.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/ts1.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/Devilish_UK/ts2.jpg

The interior os sooo eay,
...

...

[ianM]

Don't do it !!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad:

Unless you are very very rich and have the patience of jove. :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

OH !! and are young enough to have the time to see it finished. About ten years should see you through. Lol
:D
:D
:D
:D:D:D:D

Funnily enough, my age was the only problem I had with the insurers - at 24, I'm too young for them to insure me on a 2.5 V6. I'd hope I'll live long enough to see it through ;). As for being rich - not so much, no - but buying a complete car, or just the bits I need from the scrappers for the spares isn't too expensive.

Interesting that the general consensus is that it's easier to upgrade the spec than change the gearbox. I'd have thought it'd be the other way round. Hmmm. I guess the hardest bits would be the extra electrics (Driver's Intelligence Pack, parking sensors, etc)... Either way, I'm going to go and have a nose around the car on the weekend, and I guess I'll think it over a bit more then.

The thing is, the Club SE I was looking at had the grey cloth seats, and so, I believe I'd have to change all the plastic of the dashboard, were I to switch it to being a beige interior. Time to make a list of what I'd have to do, methinks...

[wutang]

instead of changing the drive train on the right looking car, why not find a car that matches what you want mechanicaly and as close as you can interior / toys wise, retrofit the extra toys and the get it sprayed to the colour you want, got to be easier.

Richard

[ianM]

instead of changing the drive train on the right looking car, why not find a car that matches what you want mechanicaly and as close as you can interior / toys wise, retrofit the extra toys and the get it sprayed to the colour you want, got to be easier.

Richard

Well, I had thought of doing that initially, but my Dad's been swearing blindly that respraying a car is far too much of a hassle and would be too expensive. It's something I had thought about, though.

[rrobson]

the interior will broadly be the same colour in all models. only really the personal line where its different. your only problem will come if the car doesnt have the wiring in place. its easy to find out, but will be a real pain if it doesnt. but still easier than changing the drive train. you could change the whole interior in a day easy if youve got the parts.

ive found on a few cars, if its got cruise, its generally got the loom in for everything else. if not, its a bit hit and miss...

[ianM]

the interior will broadly be the same colour in all models. only really the personal line where its different.

I was under the impression that the door lining, steering wheel, and even the dashboard were different colours depending on whether you went with ash grey or sandstone beige cloth?

your only problem will come if the car doesnt have the wiring in place. its easy to find out, but will be a real pain if it doesnt. but still easier than changing the drive train.

How can I check? What wiring might I be missing?

[wutang]

I bought a club se which came with cruise control, I have since fitted full leather memory seats, trip computer ipk, traffic master, reversing sensors, rear sunblind and auto dipping rear view mirror, the looms were in place for all these things.

Mine is a 51 plate.

The simplest way to check is to look under the seats and see if there is a big black multi plug and whether it is populated with wires for heated seats, memory and motor drive ect. If it has this then odds on it has the loom for most other things

[rrobson]

yes, they are different:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn105/reebspics/AxisLRIbetter2.jpg

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad69/rr5215/100_0674.jpg

comparing the two shows not that much is diferent. obviously carpets, door trim etc, but i dont think neither interior would look out of place in either car.


easiest way is to take the trim pannel where the four buttons are on this pic:

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad69/rr5215/100_0676.jpg

unused plugs in sticky foam will be in there if the wiring is there. otherwise you dont have any