I bought a 1998 3.0 Acura CL. I am pretty sure the transmission is toast. I only paid $600 for this car, and it is otherwise in really good condition. I am seeing that these cars do not make it long before their transmissions go, and replacing it seems like something that would need to be done fairly often. So, I am wondering if anyone can tell me the increased cost in swapping a manual for the automatic, and avoiding these problems? I don't want to be in the same boat a couple of years from now, but the car seems worth putting some money in to, since I only spent $600 and everything else is sweet. I would rather drive a manual anyway. So figuring about $3500 for a normal transmission swap, how much more to swap to manual?

 

Do a seach, someone just did one in the 2g cl/tl. Didn't sound pretty.

Note: same idea.

 

I'm currently in search of the right tranny, but most estimates I got for the manual swap including tranny and parts is roughly $3000-$3500, varying on the brand of part and where you buy them. I had the tranny rebuilt on my 97 cl 3.0, which is currently automatic, and it was $2200. Hope this helps.

 

I've known people who've switched to MTs in Camaros and cars like that. It's not too hard because all the parts are available.

But are you aware that they never made a 3.0 with manual transmission? The 2.2/2.3 MT is extremely rare and who knows whether your engine would even bolt up to it? And would the MT (and clutch) last with the increased power?
It might be hard to find a flywheel that would take the clutch.

I don't know enough to say whether it would work or not but I'd have to do tons of research before I spent a dime.
I'd just shop around for a rebuilt AT.