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manual swap how to

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83K views 123 replies 37 participants last post by  William07  
#1 · (Edited)
this is a write up for guys that want to know what it takes to do a manual swap.

the swap itself isnt all that bad.

parts needed:

interior:
shifter
manual pedal set
clutch cable, quadrant, firewall adjuster
manual shifter bezel
shifter base insulator
shifter handle

parts:
engine seperator plate
pilot bearing
clutch kit
flywheel
flywheel bolts
pressure plate bolts (10.5 and 11in kits are different size bolts)
trans
trans fluid
trans sensors (if not with trans, manual and auto trans sensors are different)
shift fork (if not with trans)
x-member if going t56
manual trans wiring harness
driveshaft (or change to a manual yoke)

things you will have to modify:

wire harness for trans (if you use stock auto main harness)
trans tunnel
tune/ecu swap

1:

disconnect negative battery cable

remove:

auto trans
trans cooler
trans cooler lines
starter
drive shaft
wire harness
shifter bezel
brake pedal assembly

2:

if using the manual wiring harness on the auto main harness, modify it. clip the ends off (leave enough wire on harness ends to splice), and slice wires together. the color codes are the same, so just match and go. the brake/reverse lights are controled from the signal from the trans. if you color match your splices, your lights will function properly with no issues.

3:

install:

brake pedal assembly
quradrant
firewall adjuster
pilot bearing
flywheel

the flywheel bolts are longer on the manual than they are on the auto's. a dealership can get them for you pretty quick. you can also opt for arp bolts instead if you want.

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you will have to jump the neutral safety wire if i remember right, no big deal. the cables for the auto shifter neutral saftey switch will need to be tucked up out of the way and be in the park position. failure to do so will cause the key not to come back to the lock position. complete removal of auto steering column and cables to swap over to a manual set up would be ideal so you can have a key lock on the manuals.

4:

now you can install the clutch kit. you can get the bolts from a good parts store, nut and bolt place, or maybe the dealership (havent tried).

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put the engine seperator plate in place, and install trans as well. be sure the clutch fork is in and the TOB is installed corerctly (it can be installed wrong) install the drive shaft, and fasten everything down. hook up trans wiring harness, and put up out of the way. the harness can be installed after trans is stabbed in, but can be a pain to install if trans is up and mounted.

congrats, now the heavy stuff is done :D

5:

the trans tunnel will need to be cut open a little to clear the shifter base for the manual trans.

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its not much at all, about 3/4in tall and the width of the opening. be sure to cover the opening of the trans. drill 2 holes for the shifter base insulator. uncover the trans, and install the shifter. i personally fill the trans thru the shifter, so i fill before i install shifter. if you do this, be sure car is level as possible. be sure you use a gasket on the shifter as well, a thin bead of silicone will do as well (my method). install shifter handle and bezel.

6:

install the clutch cable, be sure you fasten down the cable to the frame. a little give in the cable will cause headaches when you go to adjust cable and shift. when you go to adjust/set you clutch cable, there should be about 1/8in slack total.

7:

now you can hook up the battery, install your tune for the ecu, and start her up. if the auto ecu is not tuned, you will have a couple lights flashing, speedo may read double, and might not be able to accept a tune correctly. if everything seems good, lower car and take for a drive. congrats, you are done.

avg time, about 10-16 hrs depending on your tools and experience.
 
#2 ·
i know i will edit that post with anything i may have forgotten. hope this is informative, i took me an hour and 4 beers to do this write up. sorry i dont have more pics, the other pics are on doc's camera.
 
#14 ·
Thanks I just joined this site I have been looking for someone who had done this for like 2 weeks and nothing I am starting this project right now this will help alot did you use the adjustable clutch cable I was looking at the steeda kit it has adjustable cable or non adjustable and also I herd you can keep your auto computer and use the programer to fix all the problems is that true thanks for your help
 
#15 ·
the ford cable is the best cable for these cars. you can run either as long as you have a firewall adjuster if you replace the quadrant. i personally run adjustable cable, and have broke one in the past. as for the ecu, you can run the auto ecu. you will have to get a tune loaded for the needed adjustments for the conversion. with the car that is pictured, i was able to get a stock tune from an 04 mach 1 with a manual transmission.
 
#17 ·
a couple quick questions...

will the drive shaft from the auto work on the manual?

what will work differently by not swapping over the manual tranny's steering column?

how will the car know not to start if the clutch is not pushed in? is that something that is done inside the transmission or the clutch peddle?

i foresee many more questions in my future :lol:
 
#18 ·
no you need a manual drive shaft or a manual yoke to put in your drive shaft. there is a cable to hook up near you pedals that makes the car only start when the clutch is pushed in. i really don't understand your second question. you will also need a tuner at the end because your speedo will be messed up. i just completed my swap last week if you have any more questions let me know and ill see if i can help
 
#26 ·
First, let me commend (and thank) you for having what I've found to be the best write up on this swap that I can find via Google. :)

I'm going to attempt this swap this week/weekend and have some questions myself. The car is a 2002 GT w/ stock 4R70W.

1. How did you handle the removal of the auto? As in, where did you sever the cooling lines and how did you plug everything up?

2. Do you think you had to cut the hole in your trans tunnel because you have a 2000 which comes with a T45 and not a TR3650? Do you have any pictures of after you cut the hole during the installation? I'm having a hard time following what you cut versus what you drilled and how you hooked it up.

3. Is the transmission/starter plater (engine/trans separator plate) something only the manual transmissions have or do I have one on my car that could be modified?

Thanks for your help!

Jonathon
 
#28 ·
First, let me commend (and thank) you for having what I've found to be the best write up on this swap that I can find via Google. :)

I'm going to attempt this swap this week/weekend and have some questions myself. The car is a 2002 GT w/ stock 4R70W.

1. How did you handle the removal of the auto? As in, where did you sever the cooling lines and how did you plug everything up?

2. Do you think you had to cut the hole in your trans tunnel because you have a 2000 which comes with a T45 and not a TR3650? Do you have any pictures of after you cut the hole during the installation? I'm having a hard time following what you cut versus what you drilled and how you hooked it up.

if you look at the top of the shifter location, you will see where we had to make the cut. just make the cut, drill couple holes for the shifter insulator thread adapters, and go.

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3. Is the transmission/starter plater (engine/trans separator plate) something only the manual transmissions have or do I have one on my car that could be modified?

Thanks for your help!

Jonathon
1: the stock trans cooling lines dont have to be cut. unplug the harness, cut off the actual connector, and splice in the manual harness. the color coding is the same between the 2.

2: this swap wasnt done on my GT, was done on a mach 1 which had the 3650. all the 96-04 auto mustangs will need to be cut to clear for the shifter on a manual swap.

3: you have to get the starter plate, its a manual trans thing.
 
#30 ·
you will have to change main harness just to get the trans harness to go together. cant remember off the top of my head, but the auto main and manual trans harness are both female.