Screw it! I'm converting to a stick!
 

Well as you may know, my stanza transmission died, I guess it was a common thing for it to happen in the automatics, I called around for quotes and what not, and some places wouldn't even touch it where others wanted $1000 for me pulling it out myself. For me to attempt to rebuild it, it would of ran at least $400. So I said screw it i'm putting a stick in it, especially since my beater stanza (a white rusty one I know own) has 220,000 miles on the original tranny and still works pretty good. Its gonna be a little bit of wiring, plus I have to mount a clutch pedal and drill holes for the clutch master cylinder. So I started to rip my dash out, here's the pics so far.

It was pretty easy with the factory print out, this took me about an hour to do and I was working slow and by myself, and taking lots of breaks :) All I have really left to rip out is the center part and the top dash, which involves disconnecting one harness and taking out about 5 bolts. .

This is the center console removed, a total of 5 scews.
http://www.oldweakandpathetic.com/me...iorripout1.JPG
Pretty much a panned out view of what I did today.
http://www.oldweakandpathetic.com/me...iorripout2.JPG
This is what under the steering wheel looks like.
http://www.oldweakandpathetic.com/me...iorripout3.JPG
And another pic.
http://www.oldweakandpathetic.com/me...iorripout4.JPG

Why don't you go to a boneyard and get a whole pedal box assembly? Or another tranny for that matter?

Actually i'm getting a whole manual transmission(with limited slip :)), rear disc setup, shifter linkage, pedal assembly and flywheel from a boneyard for $200.

Good score! :thumbsup:

Ok, got the rest of the dash ripped out, i'll hopefully have pics soon.I had to remove the fuse block and move the two main wiring connectors out of the way to make room for drilling, tonight i'm gonna figure out what size (standard) drill bit and hole saw will be needed. to figure out where it goes i'm gonna take the clutch pedal assembly and break the welds on the studs and temp mount it up. Once I get one hole lined up I know where to drill the rest. By next weekend my clutch pedal assembly should be fully mounted up. I'm gonna rebuild my master cylinder just to be on the safe side.

I very much want to do this to my Mark VII next summer. I hope your project goes well, and inspires me.

I desperately need to do this with my Cutlass. It's quick enough with the automatic, but a 5-speed would be just slick. Good luck with yours. Keep us posted.

Alright, I whipped out the caliper tonight and figured out the following drill bit and hole saw that is needed to cut the holes, first of all I need a 1 3/8" hole saw and for the two smaller holes I need a 5/16 drill bit. I'll probably end up making a reinforcement plate since from the factory is has a spacer made of plastic and help reinforce it.

MSD: I would probably use the pedal assembly for a fox body mustang, should line up pretty well and you would just need to cut one big hole for the clutch cable. Then just get a good T5 transmission and make a driveshaft spacer and your done.

DE137: Not sure what setup you would use, one out of beretta might fit? But if you just want to add a clutch pedal I would probably use a hydraulic assembly from a altima/maxima (pretty much the same as my stanza) because they are really easy to get from junkyards and not to hard to remove.

Oh, if I was gonna do it, I'd get a manual trans pedal cluster from a manual trans W-body...since that is what I drive. Should be a lot easier that way. Thanks for that suggestion, though. Have too much other stuff to do right now to really entertain that idea, though. Maybe in time.

Go for it! It should be easy considering you basically have a stretched Mustang.

I had a manual tranny turbo Thunderbird, then I got a Mark VIII. Loved the car, but hated the slushbox. I switched back to a manual with my '99 Contour, and I'm never going back to the dark side again. :p

Ok, today I finally bought the stuff to drill out the clutch Master cylinder holes, here is what I bought

1 3/8" hole saw $6

pilot bit for hole saw $2

1/8" drill bit for drilling small pilot holes $1

5/16" for drilling out the smaller stud holes $4

Automatic center punch $8

Grand total $21

I should have them drill out on friday afternoon, here the steps to do it.

1. Line up cardboard template.

2. Center punch a stud bolt hole.

3. Drill 1/8" pilot hole

4. Drill to 5/16" big

5. Mount up card board cutout.

6. Center punch the other stud hole and the big master cylinder hole.

7. Drill both bolt holes to 1/8"

8. Drill out other stud hole to 5/16"

9. Take hole saw and drill center hole to 1 3/8" and test fit, i'll have pics soon.!

My concern is that it'll confuse the living fuck out of the engine computer. I'm not sure to what extent the transmission is monitored by the ECU, but hopefully a few pulled idiot lights will take care of anything. I just have to start on step 1: move to a house with a garage.

Top secret hint,if you haven't done it already just saw your auto brake pedal in half...don't worry about finding a manual brake pedal.

/has done this conversion on two different 240sx's

ballsy.


really ballsy.