Manual Swap?

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Ryan Martinez

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I need someone who knows their stuff.



Ever since I picked up my '05 in '10, I've always wanted to do a manual swap.

I've had my buddy who works at a dealership tell me there's never been a

record of my ST ever having had a transmission flush...and I was at 105k

when he told me....the previous owner had everything done at the

dealership, but no trans flush.....he basically said if they do the flush, it could

never work again....and obv if that happened, I would need a new trans...so

here I am at 120k, and he said it'd probably go out around 140-150...

I don't want to sell her. I literally haven't sat in anything that fits me as we'll

as my ST does....so if I'm spending upwards of $2000, I don't want another

auto.....so here's my question. Save for the transmission itself, a new cluster,

A new column, and pedal replacement...what do I need extra?



And the big question......is this even worth it? I've always wanted my trac

manual...but if I can't pull this off...I might have to sell her....and that woud

absolutely break my heart.
 
No reason to think the tranny is limited to 150K. Its a electronic shift so if it starts "flaring" I would change the solenoids.



I'm at over 210k and I did change the fluid once at about 120K when I did the solenoids after my '01 starting flaring.



I'll bet 90% of autos never get changed.



Having said that going to a manual would be a PITA. Finding hardware etc will be a challenge.
 
Don't attempt a manual transmission conversion; you'll spend a lot more money chasing parts (not to mention downtime) than rebuilding your auto trans - if it were to go out. Were it me, I'd go ahead with a full ATF service, including dropping the pan and changing the filter. Others have suggested fitting a drain plug to the pan while it's off - a good move in my book.
 
.....he basically said if they do the flush, it could

never work again
Click to expand...



buddy or not, that is a line of BS... Unless it is not shifting, slipping, or the OD light is flashing, take it somewhere (like a trans shop that does trannies for a living) where they have a fluid replacer, and fill it up with mercon V and drive it like you stole it.

:soap:



Sorry, a dealer told me that same line on my wife's car wanting to charge me $8000 for a new trans.. A $134 speed sensor fixed it.



My trac has over 215,000 on it, and I have flushed it out 3x, and is due again. Never had the pan off, either. (but this time I think i'll remove it).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sounds to me that buddy, is not a trans tech. You can check the BBB for a good local independent. I have always found they are more of a specialist than dealers. With auto transmisions.......
 
The problem that could come up is fresh fluid with fresh additives and detergents dissolving deposits in the transmission and getting too much stuff into the filter all at once, plugging the filter. The way around that is to flush it, drive it a week, then change the filter. If you want to be really anal, you can put a drain plug in the pan and change the fluid every other oil change, then the filter on schedule. I've been doing that for 285,000 miles on the original trans.
 
You guys have been incredibly helpful. I'm a boat mechanic by trade, so but automotive transmissions aren't my forte. He told me there wasn't a dipstick on my trans...and my co-worker (also ST owner) told me there was, and not only showed me (to be honest, never really bothered to look) but myATF. still looked cherry red...so maybe the person had it done somewhere else...but it really doesn't look bad. I'm a big do it yourself guy, and everything from engine to exhaust I've done myself....transmissions is where I draw my line...lol

So I'll have a fluid replacement done as well as a filter after a week. ill be installing a plug to do my own replacements after that.



I also apologize for grammar and ignorance on the subject. grammar is due to smartphone. he wasn't selling me a transmission either. he was just telling me. he's just a tech...and he's also not THAT bright for a Ford tech...he told me the main transmission guy said that....so that's the for the concern...
 
You guys have been incredibly helpful. I'm a boat mechanic by trade, so but automotive transmissions aren't my forte. He told me there wasn't a dipstick on my trans...and my co-worker (also ST owner) told me there was, and not only showed me (to be honest, never really bothered to look) but myATF. still looked cherry red...so maybe the person had it done somewhere else...but it really doesn't look bad. I'm a big do it yourself guy, and everything from engine to exhaust I've done myself....transmissions is where I draw my line...lol

So I'll have a fluid replacement done as well as a filter after a week. ill be installing a plug to do my own replacements after that.



I also apologize for grammar and ignorance on the subject. grammar is due to smartphone. he wasn't selling me a transmission either. he was just telling me. he's just a tech...and he's also not THAT bright for a Ford tech...he told me the main transmission guy said that....so that's the for the concern...
 
Lots of mechanics will tell you that its risky to change the oil in a auto after about 60K most especially if its never been changed. Unfortunatly I can verify it can happen. Had the oil changed in a Pontiac I had years ago. That tranny never changed gears again.



I also changed the oil in the Velvet drive in my ski boat (similar to a auto). It took me forever to get it to work. I never changed the oil again.
 
I have a manual and it is a blast to drive (just hit 150k), but I would not do the swap. If they had made a Gen 2 manual, I would had gotten one. I don't drive in traffic much, but I do drive a couple of 350 mile round trips twice a week by myself, and I am glad that get to shift.

BTW, I have not had a single issue with 150k miles on the trans and still have the factory clutch!
 
I too have a manual tranny, and as much as I like driving it I would not get another Ford manual as the one that is in my '01 ST is a Mazda M50D-R1 which I have discovered is the weakest link in the drivetrain. If you are serious about putting in a manual tranny find a good aftermarket 6 speed manual, and find a good shop to do the work because there is a lot more to doing the swap than just changing out the tranny; like reprogramming the main computer, etc.

 

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