Converting the VT to manual

[MzVTSS195i]

Hey Guys,


I have been really wanting to convert my car to a manual, I am unsure on whether to go t5 or t56, dunno whats gonna be cost effective... never done a manual conversion before so i dunno how i'd go... anyone here done one???
can u give me some advise? any idea on where i could go to get it done? buy the gearbox etc? i've looked on ebay and trading post and never seem to be able to find much.

Any help will be appreciated

Cheers

Chloe

[kart_racer]

If you search back through this forum there is a wealth of answers to your questions.

I have done a manual conversion on a VT, but a V6.

I think you'd be looking at a Getrag M34 gearbox for the cheapest option, as that's what came fitted to V8 VT Series I models.

I've seen a few conversions on eBay available for them lately, the whole conversion would probably cost $1500-$2500 at the cheapest and depending on whether you (or a friend) can to the labour or not.

You'll need:

Gearbox
Manual tailshaft
Crossmember
Flywheel cover plate
Clutch Pedal & Brake Pedal
Master cylinder & slave cylinder
V8 Manual Memcal
Manual wiring loom
Gear stick/mount/knob/boot
Flywheel & Clutch (preferably new clutch)
Spigot bush
Flywheel bolts

And probably a couple of other things I've forgotten.

[deanos70]

kart_racer

i noticed on your auto to man vt conversion you changed to the mal wood billet flywheel, did that flywheel have the dowel pin holes in it, how did you go with the auto vt crank not having dowel holes only locating holes, just curious as the debate to run a flywheel without dowel pins pops up from time to time
was the billet flywheel already balanced or you had to get it done to suit the ecotec

do you have a pic of the billet flywheel by any chance
by the way great work and write up on the conversion

cheers

[kart_racer]

Hey dean, the Mal Wood flywheel came with holes to match up with the machining holes in the auto crank, and temporary pins can be used during tightening to ensure good alignment.

The flywheel came balanced for an ecotec. To be sure, you could probably take the pressure plate and flywheel with your flexplate to a machine shop and get it balanced better. I didn't do this.

I'm still chasing a few issues but I think they are related to my particular ecotec. Others have reported no vibrations after this conversion so I believe the Mal Wood flywheel to be the correct balance. I was very impressed by the quality of his product. The price was quite reasonable too.

I unfortunately don't have a pic of the flywheel .

Good luck if you are going ahead with it