Converting AT to MT on a Lanos 1.6

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

This is an idea I have had for a while, and am thinking more about making the swap, and I just found a MT for only $150 with only 28K miles on it.

I need to find out all the parts needed to convert an auto Lanos into a 5 speed.

So far, here is what I can think of:

transmission

shifter assembly / leather boot

connection between the shifter and transmission (is it rod,cable or hydrolic?)

Pedal cluster with the clutch pedal

clutch cable

What other parts are needed? Will I need the CV joints and half shafts or are the AT ones the same length?

I have heard that I will not need to swap the ECU, but will that effect gas milage, performance or anything else?


Thanks!!

Cliff

[Audacity Racing]

clutch? or was that part of the tranny...


shift linkage is a rod

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

When you take a transmission out, the clutch disk, pressure plate and throw out bearing are all attached to the engine, not to the transmission.


*** Edited because I was typing without thinking *** :P

[Brian5475E]

every clutch setup I've ever seen has the clutch and pressure plate bolted to the engine

[scarr]

I would think you'd need to change out the ECU since the AT ECU controls when the transmission changes gears (I think) by how fast you are moving.

It'd be my guess that if the AT ECU can't tell the transmission to change gears, it would throw a CEL or some other type of error off. I know it can be done, converting from AT to MT, just never actually done it myself or know someone that has done it.

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

every clutch setup I've ever seen has the clutch and pressure plate bolted to the engine

DUH ... I wasn't thinking. LOL ... you uare completely right.

See what happens when you talk on the phone while working (at work) and try posting on forums? LOL

*shakes my head* I know they are on the engine and was even picturing it in my head as I typed, but just didn't type what I was thinking. hahaha

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

I would think you'd need to change out the ECU since the AT ECU controls when the transmission changes gears (I think) by how fast you are moving.

It'd be my guess that if the AT ECU can't tell the transmission to change gears, it would throw a CEL or some other type of error off. I know it can be done, converting from AT to MT, just never actually done it myself or know someone that has done it.

That's what I was wondering about, but I would like to find out from someone who has done this swap.

[MMamdouh]

First: i don't recommend such swap... i think it is too complecated and expensive to be a reliable one.

Second: the clutch control in our cars is hydraulic so you will need the clutch master cylinder and pipes going to the piston on the clutch case and most probably a new brakes oil reservoir... get the one for the manual tranny as it got an extra port to feed the clutch master cylinder.

Third: i am not really sure about the ECU but i guess it will be logical to swap that too... the PCM (Powertrain COntrol Module) got to see a functional auto tranny and accordingly its behaviour will be different to a standard issue ECU on a manual tranny car.

fourth: i don't know about the drive shafts but it will be much better to get those as well.

in short i don't think it is going to be successful swap and will develop problems.

My 2 cents

MMamdouh

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

I have seen successful AT to manual swaps in modern cars, and I have personally changed 3 1960's - 1970's VW Beetles form the 3 speed auto-stick (no clutch) to a manual transmission with a clutch.
But alas, the old Beetle was very simple in comparison to a modern car.

With the correct parts, I really don't see why it would not be successful. I am very good with my hands, very good with tools and can do virtually anything automotive if I actually put forth the effort. I have sucessfully completed full engine and transmission rebuilds, engine swaps (again, in air cooled Volkswagons and Porsches) and have done full suspension replacement work.

It's not a matter of ability, it is a lack of knowledge on these specific cars that is holding me back. If I had diagrams and schematics, I don't think it would be too dificult.

[Efratech]

mmamouhd... Mine was an Auto..

OZ: you'll also need CV joints...

im not thinking very clear right now so i dont know if u need anything else

[MMamdouh]

i don't know man... i feel it is too complex to do, maybe because i lack the knowledge in that area so i see it is hard not really sure so i think this is just my opinion.

i always tend to keep the car as it came... i won't try to add A/C or powersteering if it didn't come with those things from the factory... maybe 'cause people here are dumb asses and they never could do such mods in a professional way so i got that perseption regarding them mods.

again if you or OZ see that it is doable then good luck but don't forget to post pics for the project progress man... wanna see it really beeing done successfuly.

MMamdouh

[daewooluvr]

Yes it can be done and it's not all that complicated. Just bolting on different parts in place.

Yes you will need different axles because they are different lengths than the AT. Other than that, I think you pretty much named everything else.

I'm planning on doing this swap this winter. Still on the hunt for a Lanos Sport tranny.

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

Do the Lanos and Lanos Sport have different gear ratios?

[daewooluvr]

Do the Lanos and Lanos Sport have different gear ratios?

Yes, the sport has the close ratio gearing I'm told while the normal lanos has the medium gearing.

[MMamdouh]

i don't know how much different the sport model is from the standard one but if the sport is equavlent to the lanos II we have here then both cars are mechanically the same... only cosmetic differences thats all, again i say i don't know much about the sport model you guys have in the US.

MMamdouh