The good news is I just got my car back from being converted to manual from auto and it is whole different car. I love it and I dont even have a turbo. Now to the bad news the key is stuck in the ignition. I pulled both battery cables for the night but anyone know how I can fix this. I will take it back to the guy that did it tommorrow. Just wondering if you guys can let me know before I talk to him. Thanks.

 

That's interesting, I was pondering that same transformation. What went into it and how much did it cost you? Oh, and how long did it take?

Is the key broke off, or just stuck? Cause mine never really gets stuck, but sometimes when turning back from the on position, I have to fiddle with how much I push in on it to turn it. Although after doing it a million times, you kinda get the hang of it.

 

key stuck sounds like its time to replace the key cylinder...why micky mouse it if its only $60 for a whole new cylinder.

Did you swap the rear end as well as the tranny since the final drive on the auto is lower than the manual?

 

the key is stuck in the accessory position, (like when you still have it in drive and shut it down and cant take the key out). The guy that did it for me works for mazda and knows rx7s front to back. Parts and Labor was $850 swapped out transmission, put in required manual parts and put in "new" used drive shaft. It probably would have only taken a couple days but he ran into problems with the driveshaft. He said usually on 86-88 its same drive shaft but for 89+ it is different between manual and auto. So it took a couple days to locate one. Then with Nopi this weekend it took longer because he entered a car. I asked him the same question about final drive gears because I know they are 3.90 for auto and he said the five lug cars had 4.10. Even if it isn't 4.10 I am really happy with the transformation. Having a manual makes a world of difference.

 

Wow - how hard was it to put in the clutch pedal I wonder?

I want a stick convertible - but there are so many more automatic convertibles out there. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

i talked with the guy today and he said he is putting a bypass solenoid in. where is stockbridge, ga up near atlanta?
thanks for the replies.

 

solenoid that's it !

when it was in automatic you couldn't take out the key unless it was in "PARK" right, well there is a switch either electrical or mechanical that sends a signal to the ignition..