I want to change the transmission

[Firebirdjones]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I use a fuddle stall and just the street/strip version which is like $450 I think and I've been very happy with it. Been running it for 2-3 years now with zero issues.

I would have to do some checking around,,,,haven't heard much about the fuddle converters anywhere. If you wouldn't mind,,,,please send me some info, PM or email if you like.

I have heard mix reviews on Yank so I am up in the air on that.

The only converter I have heard nothing but good things about is Vigilante,,,and thats what I have been contemplating going with for the 02. It's about the most expensive out there,,,but I believe you get what you pay for.

I use nothing but Coan in the old stuff here, and love it, usually they run about $1,000 each in the 400 turbo's I use. But a lockup converter is a whole different animal.

I definately don't like TCI,,,,thats a long story.

[0rion]

fuddle is a sponsor here so they have a link in the sponsor area. John is the guy that runs it. I was pretty impressed with the level of customer service I got there. I called him with a question during my install and he returned my call ~15 minutes later. He also stands behind his verters 100%. Just check the site out and drop him an email. It's been several years since I got mine and he was just starting out when I got mine. I would say just to email him and see what you think. I can just say it's been one of my better parts buying experiences since I've been modding my car and I've had zero issues out of the stall.

[sroach20]

i ran a fuddle 3200 when i had a silverado. put about 5k on it before i sold it. i drove it like i stole it also.

[Firebirdjones]

fuddle is a sponsor here so they have a link in the sponsor area. John is the guy that runs it. I was pretty impressed with the level of customer service I got there. I called him with a question during my install and he returned my call ~15 minutes later. He also stands behind his verters 100%. Just check the site out and drop him an email. It's been several years since I got mine and he was just starting out when I got mine. I would say just to email him and see what you think. I can just say it's been one of my better parts buying experiences since I've been modding my car and I've had zero issues out of the stall.

Orion,,,sending you a PM. Give me a shout.

[kool-aide]

My car has an Auto Transmission , I want a manual .. How much am I looking at for a convert and where to get the parts ?
Thanks

my .02, buy a new car and paint it.

I spoke to a very good trans shop in my town. They said it can be done but never worth the money. They said your best bet is to get a donor car.

Do the math, buy two cars to get the color you want or buy what you want and paint it, Hmm.

you're probably looking at 2-2.5x the cost for a swap vs paint. I mean quality donar car, big bucks IMO. If you get a junker / wrecked then you have to worry about part quality. If it is a salvage, then how much in rebuilding the parts, big bucks.

Every one I talked to said the same thing, buy a M6 don't do the swap.

If don't like the color, just paint the sucker. One day in the future you will need a paint job any way, so.

I'm a MAJOR manual trans guy livin in an auto body. I can sympathize with every one thinking about this swap. I can say with all honesty if I wanted a M6 I would sell mine to buy another and just paint it.

BTW that GM Tech article, at least 5k in parts, and that was doing all the labor himself. new quality paint job about 1800-2200, hmm....

good luck

[Firebirdjones]

my .02, buy a new car and paint it.

I spoke to a very good trans shop in my town. They said it can be done but never worth the money. They said your best bet is to get a donor car.

Do the math, buy two cars to get the color you want or buy what you want and paint it, Hmm.

you're probably looking at 2-2.5x the cost for a swap vs paint. I mean quality donar car, big bucks IMO. If you get a junker / wrecked then you have to worry about part quality. If it is a salvage, then how much in rebuilding the parts, big bucks.

Every one I talked to said the same thing, buy a M6 don't do the swap.

If don't like the color, just paint the sucker. One day in the future you will need a paint job any way, so.

I'm a MAJOR manual trans guy livin in an auto body. I can sympathize with every one thinking about this swap. I can say with all honesty if I wanted a M6 I would sell mine to buy another and just paint it.

BTW that GM Tech article, at least 5k in parts, and that was doing all the labor himself. new quality paint job about 1800-2200, hmm....

good luck

2 issues that come into play with this way of thinking is that,,,,1,,,,some of us have cars that are really irreplaceable or nearly impossible to find. Mine being an 02 SS convertable in Navy Blue Metallic makes it one of only 59 made. So I am on the fence here,,,,should I modify what is going to be a rare car someday? They actually made more 6 speed versions of this car,,,,but still they are few and far between and finding one forsale even yet would be a challenge,,,and not cheap either.

Second issue would be the price of a quality paint job that you mentioned,,,don't know where you are getting roughly $2,000 for a paint job,,,,but most all high quality body shops have a labor rate of $60 an hour and on up,,,plus materials,,,which are very high nowadays. A color change would require a complete reshoot of the whole car,,,not a quicky spray of the outside. It's not as easy as it used to be on the old cars,,where only the door and trunk jambs were body color (on GM) Chrysler had their engine compartments body color back then though. But now GM has done the same thing.
On a 4th gen that would mean pulling the engine to spray the entire compartment,,,,the floor pans underneath the car,,,door jambs, entire truck compartment etc....is all body color. If you want to do it right and do a complete color change you are talking alot of work. Major labor etc....Without going through this effort for a proper color change then it's all for not in my opinion. This type of effort would be 5 times over $2,000.

A good quality paint job in most all body shops I have dealt with on about any car,,,,would be more like $6,000 and up. I wouldn't even let someone touch my car for a $2,000 price tag.

Sheeeesh I was helping a buddy of mine restore his 69 camaro,,,painted a stock color (gold) and just materials alone were $1,500,,,,,Paint, thinners, reducers, primers, primer fillers, etc....thats just buying the stuff!

Another customer of mine is just finishing up a rotissorie resto on his 69 Daytona,,,,floors, engine compartment, inside the interior, trunk compartment etc....all is painted body color,,,,much like a 4th gen camaro is painted today,,,,he spent well over $2,000 in materials to paint this car Hemi Orange. Thats just materials.

It's crazy expensive to paint a car nowadays if you want quality paint and quality work.

Now you could go to some quicky place like maaco,,,but I wouldn't let them spray my tractor,,,let alone touch a $20-30,000 car. And they are not going to spray the engine compartment, door jambs, trunk etc....

It's up to you really, but this just wouldn't be a viable option to me.

[kool-aide]

Maco, oh not me, no way. I see your point. My car has full under body coating, so I guess you wouldn't paint that. Maybe there were some assuptions made, like not painting engine bay, under car, etc.

Well, sounds like a paint job vs trans swap is starting to look costly no matter what. I understnad what you mean about loving the car and it being a keeper.

I just think painting a car can be done over time. Trading a trans is not what I would call an in part process. I could live with a body color and engine bay of 2 diff colors until funds were available. But to me, tryin to save for parts, buying here and there, and then storing them, hmm... Been there done that before.

I guess in the end you have to make a gut check. I woudl think if some one was into #s matching, then a trans swap is out of the question, right?

Well, I have been thinking about the very same trans swap for a year now, and still thinking. I guess 5+ grand for a trans seems to ridiculous for me. I mean swapping trans would cost me more than my car when i bought it, ouch. I would rather take that kind of cash and spend it on another car. Then you get an A4 for the lazy days and an M6 for the fun days.

Well I trust the guy painting my car, he doesn't do it to get rich. He does have varying levels of quality. I agree, you want a top to bottom show car job, that would be out of my price range.

good luck trading trans, may you get what you want. I'm a real manual trans guy, and even I don't mind the A4, .

[Firebirdjones]

Yes I like either trans too, much like you. We have a pair of 4th gens one being a 6 speed and the other an auto,,,,I enjoy driving either one really. But when it comes down to it,,,I am into racing at NMCA, UMTR (requires a manual) and love racing both types, but in the end I prefer the auto for long term racing, as it's easy on parts and cheaper on the wallet. Stick shift racing over the years has cost me nearly 3 times as much money compared to racing my chevelle with the automatic. Both see equal track time.
Street cars are fun either way in my opinion. Cheers.

[Ryans99LS1]

Im in the same exact boat. I really want to have an M6. I didnt get one due to the situation in which i got my car, it was my one any only shot at having an ls1 this young. I will totally do the swap if i can find someone who is willing to trade completely. Ill give them everything they need off my car and ill take what i need off theirs. If there is a couple hundred dollars involved then so be it. Ive driven both stalled and M6 and yes stalled is different, i just cant have the same amount of fun as i used too. Im just waiting for someone to come along willing to trade, i know there is someone close enough by me.

[kool-aide]

you could find a donor car, with cash from the magic tree, and do the swap. I have thought about waiting til i pay mine off and waiting til a nice m6 comes up for sale. at that point you have the choice of two cars or a donor car. the donor car router could be resold with an A4 when you're done. i think it is a big deal to try this but certainly an option.

I doubt you're going to find an m6 owner looking for an A4 swap. I just never heard of it. Anything is possible, but man, I would love to find that person too cuz i have an A4 waiting.

[Ryans99LS1]

Go on LS1Tech.com I have seen multiple people wanting an A4 over their M6 and if they arent willing to trade, i have seen even more full 6spd setups for sale. Im mainly just looking for a built T-56 around me, which is a little harder to find.

[Firebirdjones]

Go on LS1Tech.com I have seen multiple people wanting an A4 over their M6 and if they arent willing to trade, i have seen even more full 6spd setups for sale. Im mainly just looking for a built T-56 around me, which is a little harder to find.

If all you want is a beefed up rebuilt 6 speed then give T56-rebuilds a shout,,,they sell them in many stages of strength,,,,or better yet,,,they even sell rebuild kits of any flavor you want, and do it yourself to save some money.

Since your in Ohio,,,if your looking for a 6 speed swap,,,give Carvers a call in Jeffersonville, Indiana,,,,all they do is strip 4th gens,,,complete drivetrains etc.....a huge scrap yard for 4th gens,,,812-987-3465
Drive out and pickup what you need/want.

[Ryans99LS1]

I just called and they said they dont have any that would suit a conversion. Ill keep them in mind though, thanks for the info.

[Firebirdjones]

No problem, just trying to help. Guess they stripped some drivetrains and didn't quite grab all the pieces?

[Ryans99LS1]

Yeah must have. Im sure they'll get something in eventually though.

[9t8z28]

Look up GMHighTechPerformance.com
They did the same thing that you are wanting to do.

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