Transmission swap....or not?

[NeunFortyFour]

Hello.

First time post. Ignore the upside down avatar - its another work in progress!

I have a 1989 2.7 Lux. During my ownership the car has had new sills, glass out re-paint, all fuel lines (inc hard lines), all brake lines, calipers professionally refurbished, alloys refurbished, head overhauled, all seals, water pump, belts, fuel regulator, damper, dansk exhaust and much, much more. The car is not concours, but is now a really presentable, very good example, inside / outside and underneath (in my opinion!).

It is however, an automatic. I never set out to buy an auto. It was a project that just came along unexpectedly. I have enjoyed the process of bringing the car to where it is now and I can't deny I do enjoy driving it - even as an auto!

But my plan has always been to convert the car to a manual box. I am aware of the level of work involved and cost. I already have a manual box and a long parts list...

That was until recently...

As I understand it, the 2.7 is fairly rare. And an auto 2.7 a bit rarer still (according to howmanyleft, around 21 registered on the road?).


With that in mind, it started me thinking, is it better to leave it be, as it came from the factory? It is what it is...

I am also a bit concerned that if I do decide to sell later on, buyers might see it as a bit of a "Frankenstein" and be put off?


Would you be put off buying a car that had been converted?

David

 

[VanhireBoys]

Hi David
We recently changed the clutch on my car and it was a very time consuming affair - If you are thinking of going down the manual route its added complication - Definitely do-able but you have to start and ask yourself do you really need to do it?

I have driven an auto 944 and loved just pootering along - Not as if you are going to be playing the traffic light grand prix or doing track days - Once you roll down the street the admiring glances dont see the transmission type

The vibration suppressing donut is a weak point due to age at this point and could be a future gotcha

Its nice to see a rarity being left as is and surviving after all the good work that you put in to her

Its only my opinion but maybe leave it for this year and go enjoy the car for days out and events and see how you feel about it come next winter. Maybe try one that has a manual and see how you feel !!

Bit of a conundrum for sure

 

[Eldavo]

I’m of the opposite thinking. I wouldn’t have an auto given so would hold the manual in higher regard.

 

[dlknight]

Don't forget you will need the pedal box and clutch hydraulics as well for a conversion, pretty sure the flywheel is different on an automatic car as well as the torque tube, and possibly the bell housing.

I think if you are doing the work yourself and can get those parts for a decent price either used or new then there is no reason not to.

But if you are paying someone to do the work, it might make more financial sense to sell the car as is and buy a manual.

I can understand someone doing this say on a 928 as the manuals were rarely optioned, but the 944 is the opposite with most cars coming with manual transmissions.

Depends how "special" the car is to you.