928 auto to manual conversion

[dern]

I'm looking at changing my 944 for a 928 in the summer and it occured to me that while manuals are few are far between autos are pretty common and most of the advice I've got so far is to buy on condition.

So, if I bought an auto (which seem to be cheaper anyway), could I convert it to a manual? Has anyone done this?

Is the transaxle a straight swap?

Cheers,

Mark

[verysideways]

I'm sure i've seen a thread on this before, and it came down to something like this:

1. Hassle factor is huge, it's not just a swap of the transaxle, there's tricky electrics involved too (between engine and autobox).

2. Cheaper (especially for resale) to just find the one you want in the first place.

Not much help, i know, but i can't remember if the dicussion was on here or on Rennlist.

VS

[rubystone]

A guy came to look at my Jeep in a manual S4 - he'd converted it to manual from auto and didn't seem to think it ws a lot of hassle - seemed to be a habit of his - he'd also converted an auto AM V8 to a manual using a ZF 'box. He converted it back to auto when he sold it on!

[dern]

Cheers.

I'll have a look on rennlist.

It just occured to me that it would give me a much better choice of cars and I don't mind getting dirty doing it.

Regards,

Mark

[verysideways]

rubystone said:

A guy came to look at my Jeep in a manual S4 - he'd converted it to manual from auto and didn't seem to think it ws a lot of hassle

Any chance you still have his number or e-mail addy? Could put him in touch with dern...

[Melv]

What's the point??

A nice large, lazy V8 suits an auto...

Mel

[iguana]

Melv said:

What's the point?? A nice large, lazy V8 suits an auto... Mel

Nonsence Melv, autos are the work of the devil & must be given scorn & looked upon with extreme derison whenever the oportunity arises

[rubystone]

I didn't get a number - TBH he looked like one of Iguana's relations so I doubt he knows how to use a 'phone

[dern]

Melv said:

What's the point?? A nice large, lazy V8 suits an auto...

Simple. Can't stand autos.

Regards,

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Thursday 27th January 19:20

[dern]

rubystone said:

I didn't get a number - TBH he looked like one of Iguana's relations so I doubt he knows how to use a 'phone

Last time I saw Iguana he appeared to have transformed himself into a be-shirted sales type city boy

How's the job going Alex?

Regards,

Mark

[iguana]

dern said:

How's the job going Alex?

Going so well its gone ;(


Anyway Autocar a couple of weeks back had an article on a fella- Paul Anderson, who was the man to see ref running 928s on a shoestring & getting bits etc & auto to manual conversion by him- inc parts & fitting was priced at approx £2k


No phone no & the only contact in the piece was 928spares.com which doesnt seem to work on my PC.

[dern]

iguana said:

Going so well its gone ;(

Bugger, sorry to hear that. Fancy a beer soon?

Are you going to VW in Feb?

iguana said:

Anyway Autocar a couple of weeks back had an article on a fella- Paul Anderson, who was the man to see ref running 928s on a shoestring & getting bits etc & auto to manual conversion by him- inc parts & fitting was priced at approx £2k No phone no & the only contact in the piece was 928spares.com which doesnt seem to work on my PC.

When I get a bit closer to sorting something out I'll try and get in touch with him.

Cheers,

Mark

[2alexcoo]

I just looked up 928spares.com and it says 'now based in Australia folks'

[cheburator]

OK, here is the lowdown on a Manual Conversion:

Parts you need:

1. Transaxle including the diff
2. Manual Torque Tube (it's slightly longer than the auto one)
3. Gear Linkage
4. Master Cylinder off a Manual
5. Slave Cylinder off a Manual
6. Clutch kit - preferably from an S2 as it is twin disc. More difficult to adjust, but probably the best overall package

Labor:
1. Drop down rear subframe and transaxle
2. Drop down torque tube
3. Drill holes in the bulkhead to fit the pedal box, the master cylinder and the slave (bd to get to)
4. Fit new transaxle and gear linkage
5. Fiddle electronics - inhibitor switch, reverse lights
6. Block vacuum lines

Costs (to me)
1. GTS transaxle - GBP350 (they go from around £800 to £1400 with breakers) I was very lucky!!!
2. Paul Anderson labor charges - around £700

Is it worth it - You bet!!! No longer scared of almost anything on the road. The 928 really comes into its element. You can controll the car on the throttle. It's incredible! And controlling 300+ horses with your right foot and no traction-shmaction control could be great feat...

I am toying with the idea of selling mine and getting a 928 S4 so have me in mind if you want one

[dern]

cheburator said:

OK, here is the lowdown on a Manual Conversion: Parts you need: 1. Transaxle including the diff 2. Manual Torque Tube (it's slightly longer than the auto one) 3. Gear Linkage 4. Master Cylinder off a Manual 5. Slave Cylinder off a Manual 6. Clutch kit - preferably from an S2 as it is twin disc. More difficult to adjust, but probably the best overall package Labor: 1. Drop down rear subframe and transaxle 2. Drop down torque tube 3. Drill holes in the bulkhead to fit the pedal box, the master cylinder and the slave (bd to get to) 4. Fit new transaxle and gear linkage 5. Fiddle electronics - inhibitor switch, reverse lights 6. Block vacuum lines Costs (to me) 1. GTS transaxle - GBP350 (they go from around £800 to £1400 with breakers) I was very lucky!!! 2. Paul Anderson labor charges - around £700 Is it worth it - You bet!!! No longer scared of almost anything on the road. The 928 really comes into its element. You can controll the car on the throttle. It's incredible! And controlling 300+ horses with your right foot and no traction-shmaction control could be great feat...

Nice one, doesn't sound too bad at all. Do you need to replace the auto ECU with a manual one or are they the same?

cheburator said:

I am toying with the idea of selling mine and getting a 928 S4 so have me in mind if you want one

How much would you want for it?

Regards,

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Friday 28th January 11:34

[Silver968]

There's an excellent mail list forum run on this site which has all the UK 928 experts on it www.928.org.uk/ . THe archived posts at www.rs2.org.uk/pipermail/928uk/ are essential reading for any prospective purchaser.