Auto to Manual

BX Tech talk
Post Reply
User avatar
Ian_Fearn
Spender lotta cash on Citroens
Posts: 2231
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:51 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Auto to Manual

Post by Ian_Fearn »

When we get a diesel auto for the missus i'd like to try and convert 'Elf' to a manual and rebuild the engine at the same time. I've always loved the 8v GTi.....

Its such a tidy car and i've done so much on it. Also it's become part of the family and we couldnt part with it.

So, anybody know what would be needed other than the obvious, gearbox, linkages and interior bits.
Over and out from me
User avatar
cavmad
Keeper of the site Goat
Posts: 7857
Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 9:13 am
x 1
Contact:

Post by cavmad »

God knows but I have a pedal box AND a manual gearbox here, sing out if you want or need them.
Vauxhall apologist.
User avatar
Ian_Fearn
Spender lotta cash on Citroens
Posts: 2231
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:51 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Post by Ian_Fearn »

OK Billy thanks.

What is the box out of?
Over and out from me
artic-steel

Post by artic-steel »

Off topic sorry, but just too say good decision Ian, thats a nice GTi you have there & my love of 8v's is no great secret so i can see where your coming from.

Good luck, i'm glad she's staying
User avatar
DavidRutherford
BX Digit man!
Posts: 2706
Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 5:07 pm
Location: Placing comments on YouTube.

Post by DavidRutherford »

Surely it's easier, cheaper and quicker to sell the GTI auto and buy a GTI manual.

Given that you'll need a flywheel, clutch, gearbox, selector mechanism, gearstick, interior trim, and various other odds and sods, and need to alter the throttle linkage to remove the kickdown cable.

And on top of that, it's then a modified car, so insurance will undoubtedly be more expensive.

Even allowing for a very low rate for your time, I recon you could buy a good GTi manual for less than it would cost for the conversion, not even taking into account what you'll get for selling the car.
this might be a signature
User avatar
Ian_Fearn
Spender lotta cash on Citroens
Posts: 2231
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:51 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Post by Ian_Fearn »

I take your point but this is a car i want to keep.

Am prepared for it to take some time (and money)
Over and out from me
AlanS
BXpert
Posts: 841
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 9:53 pm
Location: Queensland, Australia

Post by AlanS »

I was involved in supplying a gearbox to a guy over here a couple of years back for a similar conversion.
Where we got trapped was that after freighting it a couple of thousand klms we discovered that whilst it was a BE1 box out of a Trs, it became a problem on fitting up to a TZi when in the final stages they went to fit the CAS only to discover that a Trs box didn't have the hole in the housing fior one. I think it may have been possible to simply drill a hole, but the specialist doing the job baulked at the prospect so it became a high drama.
I realise this isn't an issue in your case, but if you get a box from another model, the moral of the story is, be certain even the external bits are compatable or you can easily end up doing one for practice.


Alan S
By the time you're old enough to know it all, you can't remember why you were learning.
PiLsY.
BXpert
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:55 pm
Location: Chester, Cheshire

Post by PiLsY. »

Would a full engine swap not be easier? Would save the bother of sourcing compatible parts if you had the full set (box and matching engine + bits) to start with...

Just a thought...

Matt.
User avatar
docchevron
The Immoderate half of the admin team
Posts: 7524
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:03 pm
Location: A Bucket of Fish
x 7
Contact:

Post by docchevron »

Er, just a thought, but whats wrong with the autobox?? I thought it was the engine that was in need of overhaul??

So, why not rebuild the engine, which, unless the crank is scored and needs a re-grind / replacement, can all be done with the block / box in the car, and keep it as an auto??

If you really wana convert to manual, allow yourself a weekend!
Smokes lots, because enough's enough already!

Far too many BX's, a bus, an ambulance a few trucks, not enough time and never enough cash...
tim leech

Post by tim leech »

Ian do you not like autos lol! Unlike myself who thinks any labour saving devices are worth having! :D
User avatar
Ian_Fearn
Spender lotta cash on Citroens
Posts: 2231
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:51 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Post by Ian_Fearn »

I'm a manual box fan, the missus is an autobox girl. If she gives me the GTi back i want it to be a manual. SO if i was able to source a manual box from a GTi I should be OK right?
Over and out from me
User avatar
docchevron
The Immoderate half of the admin team
Posts: 7524
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:03 pm
Location: A Bucket of Fish
x 7
Contact:

Post by docchevron »

Right, that makes sense!
You'll need more than just the box as David said, you'll need a flywheel, clutch, cable, pedal box, selector shafts and gearstick assembly.

The cowling the stick sits in inside the car is the same between manual and auto though.

Oh, and you'll need the coolant pipes from a manual too, since the autobox has a cooler similar to the one on the engine, so you'd have pipes loitering with no-where to go!

Oh, and you'll need to re-wire the reverse light plug and bridge the wires for the starter isolater. If you got all the bits it's a doddle, if not....
Smokes lots, because enough's enough already!

Far too many BX's, a bus, an ambulance a few trucks, not enough time and never enough cash...
User avatar
Jaba
1K Away
Posts: 1893
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:54 am
Location: Usually in the garage
My Cars: BX GTi, C3 Auto
x 80

Post by Jaba »

Ian, I did this conversion on my GTi a few years ago now. It was well worth doing. You will need a new clutch cable as well as the other bits mentioned. Make sure that the gearbox you get will take the TDC sensor - if you have one already that is.

Also worth considering is changing the 5th gearset to give you a higher ratio for quieter cruising and better economy.
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
Post Reply