stay automatic or go manual

Should i stay with an automatic or swap a manual (CANNOT SELL CAR!!!!!!)

  • build the automatic transmission

    Votes: 2 6.9%
  • buy and build the manual transmission

    Votes: 27 93.1%

  • Total voters
    29

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Ignorant import guy

Senior Member
I have a 1999 civic ex with an auto trans i am in the process of turbocharging the car and wanted to get some ideas on what you guys think i should do with the transmission. i could keep the auto and build it (auto trans cooler, torque converter, anything i discover alon the way) or swap the transmission, only thing is i could not swap it myself i would have to send it out to be done. i've heard a few price ranges from the $500-$750 plus all parts. if i do swap it though i will be going all out on the transmission over the course of however long it takes me to get the money for it ( stage 2 clutch, lightened flywheel, lsd, and short shifter) is one option more of a wate than the other is what i'm trying to say
 
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when you go to the track youll get consistant ET with the AT. but they suck, so get a MT. its a no brainer.
 
What's a good list of parts i'm gonna need...i'd like to get as many parts as i can before sending it out for the simple reason that i know the shop will rip me off...
-transmission
-clutch
-flywheel
-master and slave cylinder with all lines
-shift linkage
-manual ecu
-manual transmission mounts
-shifter
-clutch pedal
is there anything i'm missing?
 
why can't you sell the car?

It's easier to sell & go & buy the right vehicle (transmission-type).

I've learned from my experience.
 
from what I read for years about hondas are the auto are weak trans, go manual or figure out a way to sell and buy a manual.
 
look i can't sell my car it is completely out of the question...there is a reason why but it would take about three pages to explain and even then most people wouln't understand...i can't sell the car
 
look i can't sell my car it is completely out of the question...there is a reason why but it would take about three pages to explain and even then most people wouln't understand...i can't sell the car

Try us; I'd like to hear it.

What these guys are saying is totally true. It's always better to just start with a manual transmission car. It makes things so much easier. Auto-to-manual swaps are never ever cost efficient, cuz you'll be spending about a grand on something that you wouldn't have to if you had just started with the manual tranny to begin with.

If you insist on keeping your car however, then I'd say swap it for the manual if you're willing to spend the money.
 
i'm willing to spend the money...now all i wanted to know was is the list i gave previously all that i will need besides like wiring
 
What's a good list of parts i'm gonna need...i'd like to get as many parts as i can before sending it out for the simple reason that i know the shop will rip me off...
-transmission
-clutch
-flywheel
-master and slave cylinder with all lines
-shift linkage
-manual ecu
-manual transmission mounts
-shifter
-clutch pedal
is there anything i'm missing?

youre missing pain killers for the pain in the ass youll get.

other than that youre ok
 
I changed my car from auto to manual over the weekend. No problems at all, eccept for the weight of the auto tranny. What a tank.

The list you posted should do it. If you have some mechanic skills and a buddy willing to help you can do it yourself. Search the forums and you should find some step by step insrtuctions, it`s way cheaper than a shop doing it.

If not change your clutch and brake pedal assebly yourself and just not hook up the clutch pedal. This way you can save some money at the shop. You will need a 5spd throttle cable also. The just get the shop to install the tranny and mounts.
 
well...i have the clutch pedal...i figure for now i will deal with the clearance between the 2 pedals...and i think i could do most of te mechanical work but i do not trust myself at all with wiring and knowing me if i did decide to do the mechanical work myself and have a shop do the rest i would cut something or rip something out that was vital for the car...is there any other minor stuff that can be done before i send the car? can the throttle cable be changed ahead of time or does it have a way it's routed with the manual tranny?
 
automatic makes for faster et's due to constant boost pressure (not letting off the throttle to shift)
manual is better for braking and cornering (use of low gears for "engine braking")
overall, manual is much more fun to drive----especially if ur boosted b/c it blows off every with shift or throttle depression
 
automatic makes for faster et's due to constant boost pressure (not letting off the throttle to shift)
manual is better for braking and cornering (use of low gears for "engine braking")
overall, manual is much more fun to drive----especially if ur boosted b/c it blows off every with shift or throttle depression
:wtf2:
Automatic trannys are better for consistancy in the ET's, not neccesarily faster ET's but it does help.
Have you not heard of double clutching on a manual tranny?
 
you can rewire the auto ecu to take the manual tranny it's cheaper and u get the same thing
 
I would definatly go for the manual, Autos take the fun out of driving you dont have to think its just go and stop. Plus auto shifters dont look all that good either!
 
yea i thought about sending my ecu out because i will have to have it chipped for boost but then i figured how would i get it to the shop to get the work done...remember i'm not doing this myself...would it work to have the ecu rewritten and then drive (personally i thought that would most definitely not let the car car shift) oh and another question...do i need and intake manifold...what's the difference between an automatic and a manual intake manifold?
 
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