auto to manual conversion

[tylerma]

I know this topic has been discussed many many times before

but i was wondering if there was anyone out there that has done the
conversion could put up a list of parts that i would need to do it

mine's a 318i by the way

also would you have to change the diff as well
or would the ratio be the same on an auto/manual

any help will be much appreciated

i was thinking of getting a 318 breaker and changing the bits straight over
rather than standing there with a part and thinking
where does this bit go if you know what i mean

[dazleeds]

thinks its just box pedals flywheel etc but dnt hold me to it Daz
answers will soon come im sure

[Demlotcrew]

Why do you want to do that?

Andrew

[tylerma]

Why do you want to do that?

Andrew

i think i just prefer manual mate
actually Andrew i have a question for you would a 318is manifold fit a normal 318 or am i just being silly

[Demlotcrew]

What manifold? Inlet, exhaust?

A

[tylerma]

What manifold? Inlet, exhaust?

A

sorry mate exhaust manifold

[Demlotcrew]

I dont know, but i would think that no it wont fit.

Dude keep it auto, its faster that way.

Andrew

[tylerma]

Dude keep it auto, its faster that way.

in what way

basically i am thinking of doing a few mods
its been chipped
next i am thinking bbtb, exhaust & filter

i would have thought being an auto i wouldnt benefit from these mods.

i thought that auto's lost a little power

[dazleeds]

never underestimate an auto mate my b reg 320i auto would easily kill my current manual
the auto was a lot quicker and such a pleasure when lets face it are you ever out of traffic for more than ten minutes??? doubt it stay auto and do some power mods make her rip plus it,ll pee off the manual boys when you rag em

[Demlotcrew]

Its a fair amount of work, if i were you i would stick a nice 2.5 with a auto box in there.

Andrew

[Wilson]

I drove my mates old 325i touring auto.. and it pulled like fck....!!, seemed so fast, faster than me 325, (although I drove his about a year ago, and only just got mine so not the best comparison) but I remember being shocked at how quick it was..

if you want to change it as far as bolting to the engine you just need the manual flywheel and obviously the clutch (I'm talking 325, but prob same) but I can imagine the other stuff will prob be a pain, are 318's hydraulic clutch? if so you'll have to fit that as well

[tylerma]

if i were you i would stick a nice 2.5 with a auto box in there.

I would love to do that but insurance would kill me
ideally i would love to do an m50 conversion

I hear what you other guys are saying sometimes it does feel very quick

but i was just worried the mods i have in mind would have no real effect being an auto

there is a plus side to being auto and that is when you have to battle London traffic

[Demlotcrew]

Honestly mate i would not bother its really not worth the effort. If yours going to do it, just stick a M42 in there in stead.

Andrew

[tylerma]

I wouldnt mind mate believe me

[Brianmoooore]

It's definitely worth the effort. I've two autos in my collection at the moment ( no, one actually. One's just been dealt with). How anyone can live with that kind of box is beyond me.
You lose a complete gear ratio for a start, and the only way they feel remotely quick is because of the high diff ratio they run to get any kind of acceleration. They absorb a lot of power (that's why they need a cooling circuit).
Get yourself a donor. The're all sorts of little bits and pieces you need to do the job that you don't immediately think about, and you also end up with a collection of other spares as well.
Timewise it's not a five minute job, but there's nothing particularly difficult either.
Depending on the relative health of your existing and donor engines, you can reuse your old one if you fit it with your donor flywheel and fit a new spigot bearing.