Which Is Easier????

[MY_84_VK]

Heres a question for you all, just wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has done either of these conversions.

Would it be easier to do a manual conversion into a VX 5.7L Calais or a climate control conversion into a VX 5.7L Manual SS?

And yes I know these topics have been covered before but people were only giving advice, I want to know if anyone has actually attempted and completed the conversions and whether they found it easy or a pain in the ass that isn't worth doing.

Cheers

[oska]

it's a dumb question

if i had a garage and it was a project i'd do both anything is possible

14 years ago i retro fitted a factory A/C into my VB V8 try sourcing parts for that

[MY_84_VK]

Yeah but this is for a daily driver, as I'm looking to do a bit of a custom job on the dash, with a wh statesman surround. And being a daily its not something I can have sitting in the garage for days on end

[vkberlina]

I would probably do the gearbox change, you will probably need to go visit a few wreakers on the coast try Peter at EWT he is a Nice bloke or try the guys at Best price autos. Ask for a complete conversion, ECU, wiring harness gearbox flywheel pedals etc.
At the end of at day a manual calais would be the nicer car also

It might be work while checking the write off auctions and buy a complete car get the parts off it you want and part out the rest of the car, you may break even and get a free gearbox conversion.

Scott

[MY_84_VK]

Thanks Scott,
I was leaning towards the calais with the manual option but how much do you think I'd be looking at for a full manual conversion?
Or more so what do you think is a reasonable price?

[jamesjgts25t]

Manual conversion is definitely worthwhile and fairly straightforward if you research it well first. Could get it done in a couple of days if you make sure you have ALL your parts ready to go.

[jamesjgts25t]

Also price depends alot on what parts you are using. ie stock clutch or aftermarket, new nuts bolts etc or used, manual loom or modding the auto one, manual brake pedal or cutting down the auto one.

[MY_84_VK]

I would basically be buying the whole setup from a manual vx, so there is no modification required.
Just take it all out of one car and put it into the other.
Oh and price wise minus the clutch I mean't

[vkberlina]

Price no idea, ring around check out the auction sites and see if you can buy a written off manual car rip off what you need/want and sell the rest.

The last manual conversion I did on my daily driver I did the pedal kit one weekend and preped wiring etc, then the following weekend, swapped the box etc over.

I would always fit a new clutch & pressure plate and get the flywheel machined.

cheers
Scott

[Mick1988]

If you do a climate control conversion you need to swap the entire HVAC unit under the dash as well as the BCM and entire wiring harness inside the cabin. Depends what YOU find easier. Personally I'd be happier working in the clean cabin with wiring than under a car with a dirty gearbox.

[MY_84_VK]

Hmm this is true, personally I would much rather be under the car with the dirty gearbox :P