Alan '79 928

I posted almost a year ago looking for advice about converting my 1979 automatic to manual trans. The automatic transmission was shot and I couldn't find anyone in S. Florida who would fix it for less than $3000 or so. I went back and forth for months trying to decide what to do, knowing that I never really wanted an automatic in the first place.

My mechanic had a 1981 parts car and basically talked me into the swap. $4500 later the 5 sp is in with a rebuilt torque tube, new master cylinder, pilot bearing and clutch kit. Probably more that was rebuilt/replaced that I forgot. He opened up the transmission and said the synchros were good, so we left the gearbox alone.

It's like owning a different car now. The automatic always bothered me - the car is much more fun to drive now and although the throw is long, it shifts very smoothly. Now I have to get my hard cold start issues in order and install my Champagne leather dash and console and I'll be set.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and opinions. I figured you would like to know how it ended up. The original thread is here https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/244276-transmission-swap-opinions-wanted-long.html

Alan
1979 5 sp. 140K mi

chaadster

Wow, awesome...it feels good, doesn't it, completing such a daunting task! Pics, please!

danglerb

Feels good to shift for yourself doesn't it.

F451

Way to go Alan!

I'm just embarking on that very task myself. I hope to have all the parts collected this winter, and get to the actual swap sometime this spring on my '85.

I can't wait.

Ed

IcemanG17

Thats sounds like the cheapest auto-5 speed I have ever heard of!

Rick Carter

Congratulations on getting what you wanted. I wonder how many AT to stick conversions have been done? Ken in Celina Ohio did his own, and I had mine done on my 85 from a donor 86.5 I bought; S4 brakes from the same car were swapped over. For many, myself incuded, its a lot of fun to modify, Sterling is a great example of this.

ROG100

Why anyone in there right mind would want to do this is way beyond my comprehension.
The 928 gearbox has to be the worst in the World. I have driven many stick shifts but the 928 one is terrible. What am I missing here????
Well done on a major task completed.

Mike Frye

Alan,

Congrats! Now your car runs the way it was meant to (sorry Rog).

The long throw is easily fixable, just cut 'er down a bit. There are many good posts on here about that. Enjoy it!

AO

Congrats on the project! That's quite an endeavor. A shortshift kit which only takes about 15 minutes to install will help shorten that throw - but it does make the box a bit notchy. YMMV.

Alan '79 928

Thanks guys - it really makes the car much more enjoyable to drive. I'd tell anyone who is thinking about the swap to go for it if you've always wanted a manual. I have a GTS **** and boot waiting to go on, I figure I will just cut down the handle then I can try a short shift kit eventually if I want.

I think it was more work than my mechanic anticipated, but he is a standup guy (Igor at National Auto Projects) and he came in right on budget. I wasn't really involved except as an observer, but I'll post pics of the whole car once I get the new leather parts in. It's nice to have a 5 sp. OB with no sunroof.

And Rog - I don't think anyone can make you understand, anymore than I can understand your love for the auto cars. But other than the longish throw (which can be modified) the car shifts great, I don't know what you find to be terrible.

Thanks again everyone - pics coming in a few weeks.

Alan
1979 5sp 140K mi

hacker-pschorr

We already own 928's, so rational thinking was thrown out the window years ago.
Not sure what to say, I love my 5-speed 928's. Even after driving Tim Murphy's 430+rwhp auto S4 I'm not sold on buying an automatic 928. I must say it is the best auto box I've ever driven, but still not a manual. Add to that the pathetic 3-speed he started with.

$4k? Wow - that is an excellent deal.

Imo000

Fair enough but I would take a "worst" 5-speeds transmissions over ANY auto slush box!

Nice work by the way....

Nicole

Congratulations on your accomplishment!

It's just a matter of time when Roger buys the car and converts it back...

fabric

I think Rog's point isn't that the 928 has a truly horrid shifter, but that it's subpar in comparison to cars with really good shifters. There are definitely some parts of the 928 that could stand improvement, and I think the shifter and pedal placement are 2 of them, and these are not easily dealt with.

Imo000

What's wrong with the pedal placement?