auto to 6 speed trans swap. HELP!!!

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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Zvibe04
Posts: 45
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:57 am

auto to 6 speed trans swap. HELP!!!

Post by Zvibe04 »

im having trouble with my auto trans, its shifting really hard, hard enough to squeal the tires going from first to second. ive got pulled over from that, and almost got a ticket. ive always hated having an auto, and my chance to swap to a manual is approaching. i need help with what all parts ill need to do a auto to manual swap, and is the 6 speed the better manual trans?? i have no idea what all parts im going to need to properly pull off the swap. ill appreciate any and all help, thanks
2004 base vibemoon and tunes pakagealuminum rimsauto trans (hated)this car is my BABY
lovemyraffe
Posts: 4288
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:08 am

Re: auto to 6 speed trans swap. HELP!!! (Zvibe04)

Post by lovemyraffe »

Good luck. It isn't quite as easy as it sounds and usually $$$$.
March 2011 MOTMFebruary 2010 MOTM My GenVibe garage
Beer Belly
Posts: 156
Joined: Thu May 05, 2011 12:14 am
Location: Beeton, Ontario

Post by Beer Belly »

Are you sure you don't just have to bring your car in for the recall?
KITT222
Posts: 2257
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:45 pm
Location: Flint, Michigan

Re: (Beer Belly)

Post by KITT222 »

Quote, originally posted by Beer Belly »Are you sure you don't just have to bring your car in for the recall?He has an 04. Dang. I want to put a 6-spd in MY Vibe... Add that onto our already huge list of coincidences, and this is starting to get freaky. As far as tranny goes, the C60 (6-spd) is much more reliable than the C59 (5-spd), and apparently cheaper too. Of course, this is just what I've heard.Check this out toohttp://www.9thgencorolla.com/f...04063
06pvibe
Posts: 1571
Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:49 pm
Location: Manor (Austin,) Texas

Re: (Beer Belly)

Post by 06pvibe »

The '04's are not included as part of the recall.As a long time and dedicated stick driver myself, I feel your pain. But frankly, you may need a complete donor car for an auto to manual swap in a modern car. A partial parts list off the top of my head... The obvious: Flywheel, pilot bearing, complete clutch assembly, complete hydraulics (for clutch actualization,) trans-axle (5 or 6-sp), shifter cables and related hardware, pedal assembly, complete shifter assembly and hardware.Not so obvious: PCM/ECU for a manual trans car, possibly wiring harness.And, unless you've driven a manual Vibe and know what to expect, the results may be disappointing to you in the end.My wife's '06 is a base 5-sp and it takes a little getting used to. The clutch is strange, has little feel, a short throw and the shifter feels plasticy and kinda' soggy.If you were going to do it right, a better aftermarket clutch, such as Centerforce's dual friction, and shifter assembly, such as TWM's short shifter assembly would be in order. The TWM alone costs nearly $300 and requires a few pieces from an OE shifter.I've read here that the early 5-speeds were weak and showed problems, but that the later ones, '05+ IIRC, are OK.The 6-sp has a higher final drive ratio and will hurt your fuel mileage, but be a more exciting drive. Better off the line, and quicker coming up to speed. First gear ratio and sixth are the same in the 6-sp as in the 5-sp (so I have read,) but with the extra gear, spacing is closer together. If you don't mind tinkering and possibly tying up the car for a while, I'd say go for it. But be aware of the potential can o' worms too.
FJ's Garage Thread "There is no tool you can buy that will replace experience." - Josh Mills, C.K.DeLuxe January 2011 GenVibe MOTM
Zvibe04
Posts: 45
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:57 am

Post by Zvibe04 »

thanks for the help. now i have a starting point for finding parts, or a parts car. if i get the all the parts for a 5 speed, what would i need to do to use them with a 6 speed trans? and would the 5 and 6 speeds use different pcm's?
2004 base vibemoon and tunes pakagealuminum rimsauto trans (hated)this car is my BABY
06pvibe
Posts: 1571
Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:49 pm
Location: Manor (Austin,) Texas

Re: (Zvibe04)

Post by 06pvibe »

Others here have done the 5 to 6-sp swap and as far as I know they didn't require a different PCM. Besides, the 6-sp only came in the GT which has a different engine, so I would assume it wouldn't be necessary.IIWU, I might consider the 6-sp but with the 5-sp's final drive ratio for fuel mileage. Just a thought.
FJ's Garage Thread "There is no tool you can buy that will replace experience." - Josh Mills, C.K.DeLuxe January 2011 GenVibe MOTM
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