Can you change an automatic transmission to a manual?

Answer 1

The answer would be in most cases yes. The question is would it be worth all the time and money doing so? In my opinion I would say No unless you have a lot of money or free time on your hands and can go without the vehicle a while it would not be worth it to me. , EzForJesus

Answer 2

Yes and no. As far as i know, it is impossible to change the transmission itself but it is possible in most cases to change an auto tranny car to a manual. It will take some work and it is a costly change to do, but it can be done. The real question is "is it worth it".

On the one hand, you would be better off just buying a new car for the type of prices charged to do that. On the other hand if you want to do it yourself, read on.

It is kind of a pain to have to install the clutch pedal and linkage, but basically it is a bolt on for the tranny and clutch, and you need new drive shafts because they will be too long with the new transmission in there. Note that you may also have to change the flywheel because the manual and automatic versions are in many cases different!

Remember that if you go through with it you may need to upgrade the bell housing and change out the driveshaft as well as modify or replace the vehicle's computer. It is pretty easy to do as long as you can find the same bellhousing patterns. If you are looking at a Chevy it is actually very simple -- the only problem is changing safety switches for park and neutral starts and changing the steering column out. You don't necessarily have to change it but it saves some headaches with the electronics end of it.

I'm going to do it to my 92 Ford Ranger in the spring. I once did it on a Datsun B210, taking advantage that I had to remove the auto trans to service an axle oil retaining ring.