Complete Automatic to Manual Conversion Write UP
What Subscription?
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 2
From: Aiken SC USA
Originally posted by jacobcartmill
hey bonzai you dont need to come in here and tell him that he's doing a write-up on a half-*** manual tranny install.
i guarantee you are one of the FEW people that are going to actually go and rip the mount out of a manual trans car, sand down the spot welds, weld the new (used) one in, then seam seal it, then paint it.
and the reason you're one of the FEW that would do this is that its way too much work for the same result when you can get custom mounts that will do the job well.
not all of us can weld.
hey bonzai you dont need to come in here and tell him that he's doing a write-up on a half-*** manual tranny install.
i guarantee you are one of the FEW people that are going to actually go and rip the mount out of a manual trans car, sand down the spot welds, weld the new (used) one in, then seam seal it, then paint it.
and the reason you're one of the FEW that would do this is that its way too much work for the same result when you can get custom mounts that will do the job well.
not all of us can weld.
The only problem I have with this "how-to" is the mounts. THEY ARE A COMPROMISE, they will never perform to the same level as the OEM set-up. If this "ADAPTOR" is so good, why didn't MAZDA just use the Auto Mount ears and install a "FACTORY ADAPTOR"?; BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SOUND DESIGN!
If you are going to do something, why not do it right. With these "adaptors" you are placing loads on the mounts that they were not designed to take. The last thing I want after spending $$$ and time on a project is half-assed results. I have no desire to introduce a bad pinion angle or vibration problem into my car.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,630
Likes: 3
From: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Thanks for the advice, I'm going to try to cut it out with the sawz-all, or maybe I can get a torch for a day or something, god I wish i had the money for a plasma cutter! I'll let you know how I do in the next few days 
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 5
From: Troy,Mi
Originally posted by banzaitoyota
The only problem I have with this "how-to" is the mounts. THEY ARE A COMPROMISE, they will never perform to the same level as the OEM set-up.
The only problem I have with this "how-to" is the mounts. THEY ARE A COMPROMISE, they will never perform to the same level as the OEM set-up.
The brackets are 1/4" thick, they will take thousands of pounds of pressure to bend "does your car put thousands of pounds of torque through the tranny?" didnt think so.
The whole bracket concept was concieved from myself, and two veteran steel fitters with 15+ years experience backing them.
the brakets are 9" long, 1" is doubled up so its 1/2" thick, so you have 8" of 1/4" material and over 6" is mounted directly to the brackets, whats that leave you with? 2" of 1/4" steel.
Originally posted by banzaitoyota
If this "ADAPTOR" is so good, why didn't MAZDA just use the Auto Mount ears and install a "FACTORY ADAPTOR"?; BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SOUND DESIGN!
If you are going to do something, why not do it right. .
If this "ADAPTOR" is so good, why didn't MAZDA just use the Auto Mount ears and install a "FACTORY ADAPTOR"?; BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SOUND DESIGN!
If you are going to do something, why not do it right. .
Hello? are you serious?
MAZDA had to install a bracket no matter what, so why would they go through the trouble of installing the wrong mounting brackets then install extensions to make it all bolt up????????????
further more its not directly up to the developers of the car what tranny had which brackets, they were designed seperatly. the auto trans is longer which is why it has a different bracket because its made to mount 5" closer to the rear of the car.
Originally posted by banzaitoyota
With these "adaptors" you are placing loads on the mounts that they were not designed to take.
With these "adaptors" you are placing loads on the mounts that they were not designed to take.
I'm gonna leave that one alone.
Originally posted by banzaitoyota
The last thing I want after spending $$$ and time on a project is half-assed results. I have no desire to introduce a bad pinion angle or vibration problem into my car.
The last thing I want after spending $$$ and time on a project is half-assed results. I have no desire to introduce a bad pinion angle or vibration problem into my car.
Last edited by V8kilr; Jul 1, 2003 at 08:29 PM.
What Subscription?
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 2
From: Aiken SC USA
The stock mounts are designed to take a load in COMPRESSION; not a cantilevered load. I doubt those mounts will last a year before tearing and having to be replaced. Where are some pictures of these mounts?
No one is flaming you, YOU need to think thru the design you have posted.
No one is flaming you, YOU need to think thru the design you have posted.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,630
Likes: 3
From: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
That's what I did, granted I have a turbo in mine, so it's a bit different than an NA, but I tore the metal right around the bolts and it started flopping around.
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 5
From: Troy,Mi
Originally posted by SonicRaT
That's what I did, granted I have a turbo in mine, so it's a bit different than an NA, but I tore the metal right around the bolts and it started flopping around.
That's what I did, granted I have a turbo in mine, so it's a bit different than an NA, but I tore the metal right around the bolts and it started flopping around.
It takes a drill press or alot of patience with a hand drill to drill through it.
What Subscription?
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 2
From: Aiken SC USA
Another Point: When swapping the Gauge cluster, I swapped in my original Speedo, so that the milage of the car stays accurate.
It is easily accomplished by removing the 6 phillips head screws on the back of the speedometer. This is also a good chance to verify your odometer reading, there is a second set of tumblers that track the odometer that is visible.
It is easily accomplished by removing the 6 phillips head screws on the back of the speedometer. This is also a good chance to verify your odometer reading, there is a second set of tumblers that track the odometer that is visible.
EXCELLENT job on the install.
however (dont take this as a flame) i am concerned about the mount bracket adaptors..
the metal you used seems to be a little bit thin..
i think you would highly benefit from the same design, but using 3/4 or better inch thick steel.
it would stiffen it up a little better.. bring it closer to the stock feeling..
and ANOTHER however - i have not (obviously) road tested the car.. or been there to grab the tranny and start shaking it to see how well they hold up..
it looks like they should be ok..
but to be honest, i still might be weary of a weld breaking on the bracket or something..
thicker steel, and at least 2 beads of a weld would definately be a worry-less solution.
however (dont take this as a flame) i am concerned about the mount bracket adaptors..
the metal you used seems to be a little bit thin..
i think you would highly benefit from the same design, but using 3/4 or better inch thick steel.
it would stiffen it up a little better.. bring it closer to the stock feeling..
and ANOTHER however - i have not (obviously) road tested the car.. or been there to grab the tranny and start shaking it to see how well they hold up..
it looks like they should be ok..
but to be honest, i still might be weary of a weld breaking on the bracket or something..
thicker steel, and at least 2 beads of a weld would definately be a worry-less solution.
What Subscription?
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 2
From: Aiken SC USA
Actually, I misunderstood what V8killer was doing, I thought he was leaving the Stock Auto X-member in; and cantilevering over to the Manual trans "Y" mount..My bad., my apologies.
I would still change your design slightly by using C-Channel.
I would still change your design slightly by using C-Channel.
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Menlo Park, CA
This is suddenly bringing up some questions for me to ask of the guy who's doing my auto to manual conversion. When I was considering doing the conversion myself, he said that the hardest part was the mounting brackets.
He's done the conversion several times before, but it's always been for his own cars so far. Above all, what makes me concerned is the potential of causing the firewall to deteriorate. In general, my car's in great shape as far as the physical goes, and want to make sure that this welding won't hurt her.
Thanks V8kilr for the original write-up!
He's done the conversion several times before, but it's always been for his own cars so far. Above all, what makes me concerned is the potential of causing the firewall to deteriorate. In general, my car's in great shape as far as the physical goes, and want to make sure that this welding won't hurt her.
Thanks V8kilr for the original write-up!
