Hey I've recently come to the conclusion that I love my TL and I'm going to ride it until the wheels fall off.

Like most of us, I ended up with the Automatic tranny. When I went to purchase mine I figured I'd get it just in case my mother or girlfriend needed to drive it. Turns out my girl wants to learn stick and my mother doesn't like driving my car (says it's too wide, she drives a Civic). Oh if I only had a time machine.

I've upgraded the brakes (not BBK, yet), UR pulley, Intake (AEM), ATLP J-Pipe.

I'm undecided if I want to stroke and bore the engine or introduce FI (or both )

But I do know that I want a manual and would like that to be the next step if it's not that much of a hassle.

I guess what I want to know is just how much work would be needed? Parts and maybe and estimate of what it might cost?

 

just trade it in for a manual.. TYPE S! lol it'll be less work and probably less $$$. More simple too.

 

Lol I thought about that. Actually went in and talked numbers with Acura and it just didn't make sense when you factor in the bit of money I put in my car already and the premium Type-S commands over the base used.

Plus I like the more subdued look of the base.

 

let me dissuade you via prices

manual trans: $1300-2000
cluth & flywheels: $1000+
labor: $1000-2000

is it making sense trade in is better than converting???

 

Even though I could save on the Labor...

Dissuaded...

I could buy a cheap Civic with a stick to run around in for that.

 

i had the 6-speed 3rd gen tl tranny dropped in my car bud. i converted from at to manual here is a link to my car domain where i show the costs. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3184891/3

 

if you are even thinking about stoking/boring, or turboing ur car u will find that manual tranny is a must cause the automatic tranny is a slushbox

 

It really is...

 

i know this is a stupid question but how do you like the manual~tranny!!!

 

Trade your car in and buy a manual.

 

I'm thinking about the same thing bro . I'm gonna keep updated on this thread
I Can't stand At . =/

 

i feel you guys man.... i had my AT prelude for 10 years and then when I decided to get a new car, I made sure the MT was a must. I don't regret it a bit. If i miss AT, then i drive my prelude but it's like night and day.

MT is FUN n fast

 

i love it, i mean my accord is my first car so i decided to get auto. but then i decided i needed more so i got the manual swap done. compared to the auto the manual is like night and day. yup i have to say once u go manual u will never go back, im a mt driver for life now!!!

 

Yeah , AT Is sooo boring compared to MT . =/
This is one of my furture Mods that i have on my list for my TL .
But tenzingsherpa Thanks for making this thread this is going to help push me in the right direction .

 

Just trade it in. I came from a manual to an auto... plus two car seats. lol

Think of the value of you car now plus the 4 to 5gs that you'll spend. Think of the car that you can get for that money.

 

no problem bud. but i would consider the price of the manual tranny swap and think if u really love ur car that much. i mean i love my car and plan on driving it till the wheels fall off so i am investing in it.

 

Yeah Depends if i'm going to buy a MK3 Supra ... Cause I need a Drift car , And might just use my TL as my daily . Unless i can get the TL to Backwheel which would be SOOO Much Loot and time (But def. Worth it ) . Then I might just stick to AT .

 

my point exactly you spent 4k in converting a car when you could have traded it in

 

it cost me 2K to swap from AT WDP to MT AM A-spec

 

Mt ftmfw!!!

 

of course i did but i plan on keep my car for a long time so i did it. i mean not everyone is okay with spending 4k for a manual swap, but when i thought about how much i spent on my car already and mods i did i couldn't see why 4k would hurt. i love my car and manual tranny was a must since im going j36 + turbo by the end of this year.

 

+1.

 

Get an MK4. They are more fun.

 

Those of you going the turbo route, keep in mind while it won't be as much fun, the automatic should get down the 1/4 quicker than the manual. Once you add a turbo and/or torque to the mix the manual is no longer faster. For the fun factor, I agree the manual is better.

Another point, those of you doing this for the power, you may want to try a higher stall torque convertor first. You're talking $500 or less in parts vs $2,000. The car will be a tire smoker off the line.

 

not to mention you swapped everything over

 

thanks for the input IHC. i personally didn't want to try to stay auto because of horror stories of automatic tranny getting ripped to threads by just the j35 . paul recommended j35/36 for manuals because the increased torque +hp destroyed his automatic transmission's first, and second gear. plus there is NO feeling like driving a manual.
If honda's auto tranny was stronger i would of considered staying auto. i mean a individuals on had a j33 done and had a rebuild automatic tranny to handle the added torque, but had to sacrafice some hp for tranny strength.
IN the end it all depends on how much one is willing to spend, i mean until we start getting automatic transmissions like the ferraris, i can't say i would ever drive auto again after driving manual. my

"to each their own"

 

Definately, if you prefer a manual over an auto you should do it. I just wanted to point out you may lose a little straight line acceleration once you go with a turbo.

As for them destroying transmissions, you're right, the manual is the quickest easiest way to get rid of the problem. I would like to solve the auto transmission problem and I think Inaccurate's addition of the type F fluid is a very good start for very little money. I think this will increase the auto trans life by a thousand percent with some real power being put through it. If it starts breaking hard parts once the clutches hold we'll have to start from there but with 100% more holding capacity with the new fluid it might just work.

 

^ i all for better life of the auto tranny!! i say if u can get it to work dooooo iittt.!!! lol. but seriously i did like the convience of automatic, and reliability would be a great added thing on top of convience if you guys can figure out how to strengthen the auto tranny. gl guys.

 

Those of you going the turbo route, keep in mind while it won't be as much fun, the automatic should get down the 1/4 quicker than the manual. Once you add a turbo and/or torque to the mix the manual is no longer faster. For the fun factor, I agree the manual is better.

Another point, those of you doing this for the power, you may want to try a higher stall torque convertor first. You're talking $500 or less in parts vs $2,000. The car will be a tire smoker off the line.

 

^^ not to be a d**K but IHC addressed the faster 1/4 mile time with the automatic in his earlier post. to reiterate, due to a current weak automatic tranny it is recommended to have mt for 3rd gen tl or 7th gen av6. hopefully ihc u can solve this problem . but in the meantime if planning on a j36 or turbo one should really have a mt. i mean the 5at can't even withstand 280lbs torque/ 300whp (numbers from a j36 av6) without breaking. but that idea of the higher torque converter is a possible fix, we shall see . common ihc fix that "autotragic"

 

Hey there, IHC, would you mind explaining this part of your quote?

"I think Inaccurate's addition of the type F fluid is a very good start for very little money"?

I tried doing a search on it, but couldn't find anything. Is this a certain type of tranny fluid by chance? If so would you mind giving me more info on it? Anything that i can do to preserve my AT i would love to have info on!

Thanks!

 

not evne close.

clutch and flywheel is like a 600-700 dollar combo

manual trans is going for 800 in the BM. im sure the seller will take less.
no labor if he DIY.

 

Racing ATF (click here)

 

Inaccurate....PM sent