Price of a Transmission Swap Auto to MT

Rugbyplayer · Post by **Rugbyplayer** » March 13th, 2006, 4:17 pm

I have a 1992 MX3 which is sadly an automatic. It kills the acceleration and im never in the right gear. How much does a transmission swap cost, Automatic to Manual. Can you do it yourself?

JWMX3 · Post by **JWMX3** » March 13th, 2006, 4:23 pm

cost me about 1200 cdn with some performance goodies (and a trans that i over payed for, i was young and stupid

)

a smart person using stock level clutch kit could probably do it with 600 cdn

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 13th, 2006, 4:33 pm

Where specifically are you located? As for cost.. will depend on where you are and yes.. you can do it yourself.. but it is a lot of work. I am buying a complete kit to swap my 92 from ATX to MTX tranny for $600 from a local junkyard. Prices will vary depending on availability and location. Paying to have someone else do it.. now that could get expensive.

Tunes67

jrors · Post by **jrors** » March 13th, 2006, 4:52 pm

So, would you say around $500 to have someone at a shop do it? This is something I'm also interested in having done. I have no idea on how to drive a manual, but I have someone that'll take all the time needed to teach me........ and besides, it really seems as if the MX-3 were meant only for ATXs...; not ATXs.

Good topic to start Rugbyplayer.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 13th, 2006, 5:42 pm

If you have a mechanic buddy.. they will probably help you for $500 or maybe a bit less.. unless they owe you favors.. but likely even if you round up all the parts.. if you take all the parts and your car to a shop and ask them to do it.. I would be surprised to find any shop that would do it for under $1000. Its a LOT of work. I just sent you a list Jrors, of all the parts you will need. Keep in mind that in preperation for my swap I have also spent close to $500 in tools including a new air compressor. I wouldnt even attempt this kind of a project without air tools.. it would take forever. But then.. I will be able to use my air compressor for other future projects as well... so its not just an expense for this swap.. but an investment in all my other projects as well.. (My buddy with an air compressor moved to Georgia and took his AC with him so I had to buy my own LOL).

Tunes67

Rugbyplayer · Post by **Rugbyplayer** » March 13th, 2006, 7:54 pm

SO the laber is what is going to kill me. I dont have the tools or the time to do the job myself. Smaller stuff is ok, but switching out a tranny..... Would you reccomend going to a junkyard getting the parts and bringing them to a mechanic to put them in, or ordering them new. Whats the difference in price?
Does anyone no any websites were I can order one for cheap?

mxmaz · Post by **mxmaz** » March 13th, 2006, 7:57 pm

Sell the car and buy one that already has a manual tranny.

JWMX3 · Post by **JWMX3** » March 13th, 2006, 8:00 pm

mxmaz wrote:Sell the car and buy one that already has a manual tranny.

if there is no way you can do the work yourself, then that might be the best option

twoie · Post by **twoie** » March 13th, 2006, 8:09 pm

give it a try! You'll be sup with what you can do. With this forum and some basic knowledge of tools you'll be able to pull it off. Many people her have done remarkable things to their cars and I'd bet some of them had little to no knowledge when they started.
There are meany posts and there's a member "placham" ( I think ) who's doing it right now and he's posting pics of the parts and his progress.

twoie

jrors · Post by **jrors** » March 14th, 2006, 12:51 pm

Thanks again Tunes67. Sent you a PM.

MX3 N IT · Post by **MX3 N IT** » March 14th, 2006, 8:13 pm

when changing your tranny form ATX to MTX .. do you have to change your ECU too?

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 14th, 2006, 8:15 pm

No.. the ATX car has the same ECU as a MTX car. However.. the ATX car does get a piggyback TCM (transmission control module) that is not in the MTX cars. From what I have read.. its pretty simple to just unplug it.. change the engine bay wiring harness and you are pretty much plug and play.

Tunes67