Friday, December 01, 2006 - 07:36 am, by: Dan Stamaria(Drs09)
Hey guys wats crackin'? Ever since I bought my auto Soarer I've always thought of getting a manual conversion. I have learnt alot about the conversion on Soarer Central, but what I really wanna know is if it's worth the money? I went clubbin last night and I drove my friends manual Ford TX5 home and this VP SS Holden wouldn't leave us alone, so we ended up dragging.....we won and the feeling of changing gears was so fun and really made me think.
It's 7.53am, I am yet to sleep since I got home from the club coz I cant stop thinking about the conversion so I thought I'd turn my comp on and ask the good peeps at Soarer Central for advice on my possible conversion.
Okay time for some questions...hmmmmm... how much roughly would it cost me to do a W58 or R154 with everything including labour?, coz a guy at a Toyota wrecker quoted me $3500 all up with a Supra 6 speed, but I didnt really trust him. It didnt sound like he knew what he was talking about, and that price is way too cheap. Another question is, how long does it take a mechanic to do the conversion?, and also are there any places in the Melbourne area that any of you can recommend? Phone numbers would be awesome so I can call them and ask for a quote. Oh yeah, before I forget, if I get a manual conversion should I feel a difference in performance? What 0-100 and 1/4 mile time should I expect if I'm running a a stock engine?.
Thanks heaps for reading what I have to say! please help me if possible!
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 08:31 am, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
$3500 for a Supra 6 speed conversion !!???!!! Tell him I'm bringing two cars for him to do, maybe 3. That price would have to be installation only. The 'box alone is worth that! And, no, it won't go straight in. Getting a diff ratio to suit will be fun too without sticking the 12 bolt Supra one in, along with drive shafts. More expense.
THE expert in manual Soarer conversions Is Neil at Rush Imports in Queanbeyan.0262 843 111. I would drive a car from Vic to Queanbeyan for him to do it, and others have done so from further away. It's worth it to know that it WILL be done right.
Don't expect any 1/4 mile improvement. In fact expect the opposite. No living person can change gears as fast as a trick auto. And don't think you'll be able to out-launch an auto either. no-one can. The Auto will always be faster on the strip all other things being equal. You may eventually learn to drive a manual as fast as a non-trick auto but that's about it.
On the track and street though the manual is great. It certainly feels a lot faster and there is always a gear to do what you want where an auto can get bogged down.
Many will tell you that the W58 isn't strong enough for a TT. I disagree; it's all in your driving style. If you have the finesse to always change smoothly and not go round dumping the clutch a W58 can do it. If you don't then you'll break it. The R154 is the stronger option though and it's what the factory used so is the "right" one to use.
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 09:10 am, by: Shaun Stephenson(Neonasty)
I think you may be better off just buying a manual Soarer.
I would love a manual too, but I cant see it being worth the conversion price. I think Id just trick up the auto shift kit, stallie etc perhaps even covert it into a semi auto.
Tim Eacott Goo Roo ACT/Canberra JZZ30 Factory Manual Lux Pack
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 09:12 am, by: Tim Eacott(Timme)
Yes it's worth it... I have driven all the different types of soarer's from Manual V8 Supercharged one's to Jzz31's auto... Only thing i haven't driven is a Auto v8... And yes, that manual makes a huge difference. You may not get more power but it sure feels like it. Oh and if you don't know i own a TT factory manual.
Might want to fix your english up also before people start bitching... We don't use SMS speak here. EG, "coz, wanna, 4get, and so on..." Try not to be lazy with your typing.
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 10:03 am, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Probably worth the conversion price. It'll be in the $5k+ region but you end up with what would be hard to pick from a factory job and you know it's in good nick if Neil did it. Selling an auto and buying a factory manual may cost you that much anyway.
Tim, you really should take my green one for a spin sometime. It'll give you a different outlook re auto's.
Tim Eacott Goo Roo ACT/Canberra JZZ30 Factory Manual Lux Pack
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 12:24 pm, by: Dan Stamaria(Drs09)
Hey Tim, you're so smart for getting a factory manual. I should have got one, but when I was looking for my car I didn't have enough money to buy one ,and when I saw my Soarer, it just had to be mine. To answer Shaun's comment
Shaun Stephenson wrote on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 09:10 am:
I think you may be better off just buying a manual Soarer.
I love my car. There is something inside me that just can't sell her to buy a factory manual. I know its weird hey. Thanks Mark for recommending Neil, I'll have to give him a call!......you're a gun. Ohhh since you have both V8 and TT Soarer, which one is better?. Does anyone have any advice on maybe when finding a kit, things to look for?, how not to get ripped off?
Tim Eacott Goo Roo ACT/Canberra JZZ30 Factory Manual Lux Pack
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 01:19 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
I will not go into that TT vs V8 debate again. Pen will kick us all off! Suffice to say that if I have the choice I drive the V8. Possibly that is because it is worth probably four times what the TT is so comparison is not fair.
I already gave you the best advice anyone can. Neil's phone number
Tim Eacott Goo Roo ACT/Canberra JZZ30 Factory Manual Lux Pack
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 02:35 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
Tim is so smart he uses capitals to start sentences. Try it out Dan.
Mark said pretty much everything about a manual conversion. If you have the money to spare, it produces a great driving experience but you will not be faster except to the extent that a five speed gearbox with a mechanical connection gives more grunt in the mid-range and more responsiveness. If you like the drag strip, forget manual.
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 06:17 pm, by: Shane McInnes(Soarin_tt)
Dan your car is Stock right.
If you were to race another Stock TT Auto and you had your car converted to Manual. You will actually beat the Auto over a 1/4mile distance.
From memory the stock Manual TT was 1second faster than a Stock Auto TT.
But once you start modifying it etc then a Modified Auto Vs a Modified Manual. Auto will generally win Unless you have a fair bit more RWKW.
As for being worth it. I think its worth it big time, So much more responsive and fun to drive. Why sell your car to buy another Soarer? You know how your current car performs, you know what needs to be done to it and you know exactley where you are with your car. If you like your car besides it not being Manual. Then i say do the Conversion.
Thats what i did, I was exactley like you. Ever since i bought my TT Auto i wanted it to be Manual but didnt have the extra 5 or 6K at the time.
In my Opinion TT Manual is 10times better than a Auto. Its so much more fun and you dont get bored of the Manual.
Id say Budget 5K for the conversion if your gonna do it. Id recommend the Orginal Soarer Box aswell (R154) I tend to agree with Manny. I dont think the W58 is strong enough, Ive heard of some guys breaking them when they start modifying it. But there is guys with plenty of power using the W58 so yeah.
Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 12:07 am, by: Dan Stamaria(Drs09)
thanks guys for all your help!I went out and asked a few mechanics about the conversion and they told me it will cost over $5000 so thats a bit out of my price range. I might consider selling my baby but i don't know yet. can anyone help me because now i might just get a big single turbo conversion well that is if its in my price range. any advice? how much would it roughly cost? and what parts do i need to change? thanks heaps!
I've considered a Manual 6 spd conversion but dont think I could do without the cruising factor of the auto. I am looking at going single soon so want a tranny that will cope with the power. The Supra 6 spd came to mind at first as the boxes are tough as nails and will hold up to 800hp which is more than im planning to run but for going to the drags and running down the strip the auto will be a better option with a shift kit and high stall but will still retain the smooth drivability for when im out and about on the roads and not hammering it.
Neil Griffiths Trader NSW 212Kw @ 8psi MANUAL Super Charged UZZ31
Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 04:18 pm, by: Neil Griffiths(Aussiesc)
Never forget what you WILL break when going * Big Single *
Start from the BACK with your budget.
Diff
Trans
Then,
ECU
Turbo
Go in the opposite direction and you WILL have a car sitting in your backyard unable to drive
For Manual,, Going for POWER up front WILL make for a harder Clutch Setup ( This can aggrevate some people ) You WILL end up with a car you CAN'T drive around Daily or Lapping.
Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 04:52 pm, by: Ben Daniel(Lexustt)
Hmm... good to know, might have to revamp my mod path then. My 2 options were going steel wheels while I buy a 1JZ and completely rebuild it over time so I can save for parts and buy them as I need them, that and It would be easier to insure once im 25 (23 now) or just go single on the stock engine.
But now I think I should stick to that path of yours neil as I wouldn't dare argue with your knowledge what about other things in the driveline like tailshaft and driveshaft ?
Neil Griffiths Trader NSW 212Kw @ 8psi MANUAL Super Charged UZZ31
Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 07:22 pm, by: Neil Griffiths(Aussiesc)
Tailshaft / Driveshaft are perfectly fine.
And if you built a 1JZ over 2 years, be cheaper to do that in 2 years time all at the one go.
Don't ever buy an engine now to instal in 2 years mate.. Because in 2 years time you WILL have 2JZ's cheaper and a better option to build.
Look at what you use the car for NOW, and what you like to ALSO use it for ? Track / Drags.
If no Track / Drags, then just put the steels on there with a FMIC / Exhaust / 440's / ECU and just drive it around with that better power up and reliabilty.
During the next 2 years, consentrate on purchasing Type 2 LSD Trans Upgrade ( Whatever preferance ) If Auto, then Shift Kit / 3,000 Stall / Trans Control. Manual, Heavier clutch setup.
Once you have all this done over 2 years, you can then UP the POWER With no other costs !
Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 08:14 pm, by: Aaron Mead(Aaron)
He's so right. I was gonna do the same as you, instead I've spent all the dosh on ECU, Transmission, Brakes, Tyres and angine hardware relating to durability. The big turbo will be the last thing to go on.