Auto to 6 speed conversion?
Banned
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 252
Likes: 84
From: USA
I've done it. It's easy. That may depend on your skill level.
Used hptuners to flash the pcm. Wired a few things in.
Theres a sticky thread on here despite it being full of obvious stuff for beginners it does have some useful information.
Used hptuners to flash the pcm. Wired a few things in.
Theres a sticky thread on here despite it being full of obvious stuff for beginners it does have some useful information.
Banned
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 252
Likes: 84
From: USA
The driveshaft is the same.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
We regularly see threads on converting from A4 to M6 and also from M6 to A4. I always think "Dudes, why don't you two just swap cars".
Of course I should look in the mirror because I'm starting the process of converting a 1986 BMW 535i from an auto to a manual. (My wife suggested I buy the car for just that purpose. Bet you wish your wife suggested buying MORE cars.
)
In my case these cars are worth 3x more with a manual than an auto trans. Fortunately I found someone parting out a manual car from which I got the trans, flywheel, driveshaft, clutch master cylinder, clutch pedal, narrower brake pedal, pedal mounting assembly, shifter and more. Clutch and pressure plate kits. pilot bearings, trans mounts, etc are readily available.
OP: That is a partial list of the parts you will need too.
Of course I should look in the mirror because I'm starting the process of converting a 1986 BMW 535i from an auto to a manual. (My wife suggested I buy the car for just that purpose. Bet you wish your wife suggested buying MORE cars.
)In my case these cars are worth 3x more with a manual than an auto trans. Fortunately I found someone parting out a manual car from which I got the trans, flywheel, driveshaft, clutch master cylinder, clutch pedal, narrower brake pedal, pedal mounting assembly, shifter and more. Clutch and pressure plate kits. pilot bearings, trans mounts, etc are readily available.
OP: That is a partial list of the parts you will need too.
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Banned
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 252
Likes: 84
From: USA
It was an M6 for many years and less than 2 years ago I converted it back to an A4. I sold all of the original parts so I paid top dollar for a NOS dipstick and tube off ebay. I bought IIRC 3 console plates from junkyards that just were too rough for the car so I paid more for a real nice used one than I paid for the one from the dealer back when I did the swap. I used v6 pedals and shifter. A nice cheap oem trans crossmember, and I had a real hard time finding the exhaust hanger bracket.
At the end of it all, selling the M6 alone paid for the A4 rebuild I did and FTI converter, and everything else. The only problem is the welded up hole for the shifter and clutch master, otherwise there's no indication it was ever converted.
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Verdad Gallardo I did it because I had two A4 cars. When it was done I had two identical cars, one with an A4 and one with an M6.
It was an M6 for many years and less than 2 years ago I converted it back to an A4. I sold all of the original parts so I paid top dollar for a NOS dipstick and tube off ebay. I bought IIRC 3 console plates from junkyards that just were too rough for the car so I paid more for a real nice used one than I paid for the one from the dealer back when I did the swap. I used v6 pedals and shifter. A nice cheap oem trans crossmember, and I had a real hard time finding the exhaust hanger bracket.
At the end of it all, selling the M6 alone paid for the A4 rebuild I did and FTI converter, and everything else. The only problem is the welded up hole for the shifter and clutch master, otherwise there's no indication it was ever converted.
It was an M6 for many years and less than 2 years ago I converted it back to an A4. I sold all of the original parts so I paid top dollar for a NOS dipstick and tube off ebay. I bought IIRC 3 console plates from junkyards that just were too rough for the car so I paid more for a real nice used one than I paid for the one from the dealer back when I did the swap. I used v6 pedals and shifter. A nice cheap oem trans crossmember, and I had a real hard time finding the exhaust hanger bracket.
At the end of it all, selling the M6 alone paid for the A4 rebuild I did and FTI converter, and everything else. The only problem is the welded up hole for the shifter and clutch master, otherwise there's no indication it was ever converted.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 1,390
From: Nitro Alley
Sorry if i missed it... but Which 6-speed manual transmission were you planing on using?
The Borg-Warner T-56 units have gotten much more affordable since Tremec bought them out from Borg-Warner and later produced the TR-6060 units and Magnum units.
The worst of the bunch are the 4th Gen F-Body units... However they are the cheapest... but break the most.
They are leaps and bounds better than the Borg-Warner T-5 units.
The Viper made units are the easier units to adapt over to GM (of the stronger built T-56s).
Or... if your engine makes 500 HP or less the weaker F-Body units will work (with a second gear, 3-4 shift fork, and syncro set upgrade).
The high-power T-56, TR-6060, and Magnum units +clutch assembly are usually way more money than a comparable Auto-Trans.
All though; I have seen some nicely put together 6-speed units put together with mixed and matched parts from CTS-Vs, Vipers, SSRs and other cars... that work out well.
I personally really like this family (T-56) of 6-speed transmissions.
I have owned many and even have one currently.
I planned on putting together my own mixed-matched unit... but with no free time for my own projects... i purchased a new Magnum.
The Borg-Warner T-56 units have gotten much more affordable since Tremec bought them out from Borg-Warner and later produced the TR-6060 units and Magnum units.
The worst of the bunch are the 4th Gen F-Body units... However they are the cheapest... but break the most.
They are leaps and bounds better than the Borg-Warner T-5 units.
The Viper made units are the easier units to adapt over to GM (of the stronger built T-56s).
Or... if your engine makes 500 HP or less the weaker F-Body units will work (with a second gear, 3-4 shift fork, and syncro set upgrade).
The high-power T-56, TR-6060, and Magnum units +clutch assembly are usually way more money than a comparable Auto-Trans.
All though; I have seen some nicely put together 6-speed units put together with mixed and matched parts from CTS-Vs, Vipers, SSRs and other cars... that work out well.
I personally really like this family (T-56) of 6-speed transmissions.
I have owned many and even have one currently.
I planned on putting together my own mixed-matched unit... but with no free time for my own projects... i purchased a new Magnum.