auto to manual tranny swap

KKneipper · 11-06-2009, 01:01 PM

i'm starting to get bored with the automatic transmission i have in my 96 tsi awd. i have done some research on the swap to manual, but have come across conflicting answers when it comes to the cpu.

do i need to swap my cpu with a 96 tsi awd manual tranny? can i keep my cpu and just have it reprogrammed? or can i just keep my cpu and not do anything to it?

also, my brother suggested i check out vfaq, which i did, but i couldn't find the page.

wondersb · 11-06-2009, 01:58 PM

I have read that you can use the same ecu because the tranny has it's own computer. Be sure you do all your research on this, it is a big job. I myself have a a/t and wanted to do the same (and I'm not afraid of a big job) decided on leaving it be and rebuilding it. make sure you document the swap w/ sum pic's I would like to see the job as it goes.

KKneipper · 11-06-2009, 02:08 PM

i don't really have any cash at the moment to actually attempt it. however, if i do ever get around to doing the swap, i'll take a whole bunch of pictures.

dsmcurse · 11-06-2009, 02:31 PM

ive done the swap. you know its best if you have a donor car right? theres alot of parts your gonna need. you need the pedal assembaly, the master and slave cylinder, clutch fluid line, tranny and transfer case, shift tower, shifter cables, shifter boot. yes the ecu that you already have will work. the auto tranny has a tcu. (transmission control unit). im not sure if the axles and drive line have to swaped?

when i did the swap it was because my 97 car got totalled and i ended up with a 95 chassis. it was auto tho. i had a complete 5sp car it was just totalled body. so i swaped all four axles hubs and contoll arms. swap drive line to. theres alot that goes into it man. good luck

KKneipper · 11-06-2009, 06:36 PM

fortunately there are lots of dsm's at the junkyards around here. so i can check them before going to a store. i've had my list ready and all i really needed to know is if my ecu needed to be swapped as well.
thanks for the help.

doctor_shock10 · 11-07-2009, 12:17 PM

hey man heres alittle secert auto trannys the way to go now it cost less to build and it can take more punishment. for a shep trans it cost 2400 plus shipping my buddy built his auto tranny for just over a grand and hes in the high 9s now. just something you should know.

KKneipper · 11-08-2009, 10:37 AM

high 9's on an auto dsm? that's great. the main reason i'm gettin bored is because my car is kinda slow off the line... and it takes a few seconds to get up to speed. other than that i don't have any complaints.

airmail96 · 11-08-2009, 11:03 AM

Brake boost is your friend :-).

KKneipper · 11-14-2009, 09:21 AM

i had heard that brake boost wasn't good for your car... if you can prove that it's not then i'm all up for it.

Doubleot · 11-14-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KKneipper

i had heard that brake boost wasn't good for your car... if you can prove that it's not then i'm all up for it.

Is launching off a clutch on a manual trans good for your car? NO

Until you have a fully built drag car that is meant to take abuse everyday nothing is really "Good" for your car but honestly there's been many people here that break boost like crazy and their cars run fine. Mine won't for an unknown reason that is pissing me off.
I'd say leave it auto. People try to get me to change but It's going to piss the little Honduh people when they get smoked bye a auto dsm on the track eh