Should I Do It?
 

Hey how much money does it cost to swap from an automatic to a stickshift? And i am talking about the final cost, if you have a shop do it for you, all the parts needed and labor included.

I would rather buy the parts and do it myself, but i wouldnt' have the time and i am not that good mechanic. (cuz i am not one)

DOES it make a big difference in the car and speed? is it a lot better/faster with a stick-shift??

i am thinking about doing the swap and i am just wanting to know some NUmbers on how much it would cost. give you opinions an thoughts. thanks!

It is worth it. I'd be ready to shell out about $1000-$1500 for the swap (parts & labor). Do a search for "Auto to 5-speed conversion" or something similar, and you should pull up SEVERAL very helpful threads listing the parts needed, etc. I did this a while back and contributed to several threads, and there were a couple other people I know that did this and they also contributed to many threads. If you still need help after reading the threads, then either post back here, or email me at derek_fullerx@hotmail.com with any questions.

-Derek

thanks, well i read some other forums and i think that parts that i need would be pedal assembly, clutch master and slave assembly, starter, tranny,driveshaft. Am i missing anything? DId you say that you had made the swap before? how much did it cost? did you do it yourself or by a shop?
and another question i need to get new mufflers/exhuast, i want a HP/power gain but i want to make sure it's legal, i like the dual APEXI N1's. BUt are there any different types that are bigger then my stock that are cheaper and offer a power/HP gain? and i am going to get new intake cuz i know that well help a lot with the new mufflers/ exhuast.
i want quality in both of these and i can't spend a lot. so what do you reccomend?
thanks

dont forget the new interior pieces you will need. :)

Well, I have the Apexi' N1 Dual with a race pipe (illegal) and a Pacesetter header (also illegal, but not AS illegal). It is VERY loud, and if you are looking for legal, then I'd choose something else. I love the exhaust though, it helps out a lot. If you wanted to go with a high flow cat, you could do that and either leave your stock manifold, or go with a downpipe or header set. I've heard that the Racing Beat exhaust system is pretty good, and not too loud, so you may want to check into it. There are several different exhaust to choose from though. There is a thread titled something like "let me see your exhaust" or something that was just posted today. You may want to go look.

About the conversion. I ended up paying about $1200 to have it done, but to tell you the truth, I'd do it myself if I did it again. It's not really that hard, and I would have been done much faster. I also paid to have a 4:30 ring and pinion set compressed into a TII differential, and that with parts and labor ran another $1000-$1200. Anyway, here are all the parts you should need:

(sorry if I leave something out)

-TII tranny (or whatever one you are gonna use)
-TII diff. (not necessary, but recommended)
-Starter
-Driveshaft
-Halfshafts
-clutch slave cylinder (I'd recommend getting a new one)
-clutch master cylinder (I'd recommend getting a new one)
-Pedal assembly (clutch and brake)
-flywheel (from same year (89-91 or 86-88) engine that you have)
*note: I got a lightened 18# flywheel and had it installed at the same time. If you get a used one, make sure to have it resurfaced!
-clutch (I'd recommend getting a new one of these too

You will NOT need a different wiring harness or ECU.


Ok, I think that's about it. Sorry if I left anything out.

thanks for writing back, and letting me know the info. the price of $1200 was that with parts and labor? or did you buy the parts and have them do it? and is that including the price of the clutch and ect?
so were can i go to look at the racing beat exhuast system? how much is it? well i would think about doing the swap myself but i don't have a garage and i doubt me having little if any mechancal expereince.
well i gotta go. write back, thanks again.

Man for the price it will cost you can prolly buy another car that is a stick to tell the truth. Mine cost less than $1750. I have seen NAs sold for less.

The price was for parts and labor. It included everything. Clutch and all.


-Derek

thanks, so what kind of shop did you go to have the swap done? I know that i shouldn't go to mazda. Could a regular mechanic do it? And did you shope around for that price? Is that a special deal or an average rate on this swap with parts and clutch and stuff? thanks again. please write back thanks.

I went to a mechanic that I really trusted. He had put on my headers, etc. for me before I had started working on my own car, and most shops won't even do things like that, as it is illegal. Plus, he worked on a lot of imports (including a couple of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen 7s). Anyway, you may have to pay a little more than I did, but the prices should be somewhat accurate to any reasonably priced shop. I didn't shop around at all. He's the only one I trusted to do it. He did a damn good job though. I'd just check around at some local import shops, and try to find a reliable mechanic that knows a thing or two about the rotary. That would be your best bet. Even if you have to pay a little extra to get it done right the first time, DO IT.



Good luck,
Derek