daly944

I have a 1987 porsche 944na 8valve. It has the 3 speed auto trans. Would it be possible to trade it out for a audi/vw 4 speed trans, or a 968 tiptronic? I have looked into converting it to manual, but that's insanely expensive. Thanks in advance.

Tabor

It will be cheaper to do the manual swap. What do you concider expensive?

daly944

from what i have heard, you have to buy new transmission, torque tube, clutch assembly, etc. I have been told that it would cost 4000 dollars to put a manual in my car. If it costs less, please tell me, because that is what I would really like to do, but the price seems a little steep to justify doing that. Thanks.

Tabor

Well. You will need the:

Torque tube: $200.
Tranny: $500.
Axles: $600 NEW / ?200? used
Bell housing/clutch assembly: ?$1000?
Pedals ???

I wounder if you need a new DME? Some cars would (honda).

But look at it this way, the 944 Autos are known to fail early in life. You are just doing a bit of preventitive maintainance.

You would have to do the work yourself to make it cost effective.

You just need to wait until a good deal comes around. I would say sell it and buy a manual, but I don't think anyone wants a 3 speed 944 (you are a great example).

daly944

I would love to be able to do the work myself, but I know absolutely nothing about doing that. I have only replaced the air filter in my car. I am not at all an experienced mechanic, I'm just a 16 year old who wants a stick shift. Do you know how much installation would cost? I have heard that I could simply swap out my 3 speed auto for a 4 speed auto without changing all the other stuff, just the gears. That is what i think would be most cost efficent

[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: daly944 ]

TomH

Hope I'm not bursting your bubble again Daly944. I, too looked into the 968 tip as well, and found I guy who would sell me the transaxle, torque tube and shifter for about $2K. It's cheaper than the manual conversion, but still too much for my wallet. As for the 4sp, some 944s were shipped with a 4sp auto "Lux?" tranny, but they were far and few between, so I'd bet getting parts (if needed) would be difficult at best.

You really need to think seriously about selling the auto and getting a 5sp, if that's what you really want. I know your happy with the condition of your current car, as I am, but that's really your only affordable solution. Dumping that kinda of money into your auto for the conversion, is not going to affect the resale value one iota

daly944

How much would installation run on a tiptronic trans? I have given serious thought to getting a 5 sp, but my car is in mint condition, only 28k miles, and I have a custom stereo installed as well as keyless entry alarm. I would rather do the tip or manual conversion than part with my car.

Tabor

I am going to guess that installation would be in the 1-2K range for the 5 speed stick.

I think it is your best option.