Verdict is in...

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:19 pm

Ok, for those of you who know of the situation with my car, I've finally got an update.

After leaving it in the hands of the stupid c**t who rebuilt the transmission last year for the previous 2 weeks I got it back and took it today to a well known and trusted mechanic.

The previous guy had been adamant in trying to tell me that my tip ECU was shot and wanted to play around with getting another one. After talking to people and doing some research I promptly told him to stick it up his arse and I took the car back.

Today I towed it to another mechanic who has just informed me that all electrics are fine and that my clutch packs are most likely burnt out. Wonderful!

I've now got two options:

A: Stick a second hand tiptronic box in there

B: Turn her into a manual

In my eyes, the manual is looking to be the better option. However I know nothing about the value of man gearboxes, this mech who has the car now thinks he could do it for about 2.2k.

Anyone (preferably you poms reading this) have any experience in doing such a conversion and what would be required (length of time is what worries me most)??

Thanks!

MrFT000 · Post by **MrFT000** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:21 pm

surely thats covered by the warranty on the gearbox rebuild you did?!
Get some cash back from the dude, cause you dont want him touching it further. Explain this to him, that you have no faith in him, and request a partial refund, to go towards getting it fixed properly.

end rant.

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:23 pm

Is the mechanic going to include the instrument cluster/dash. I know lots of mechanic forgot that the FTO Tiptronic had the "wording" on the "speedo".

FNTSY · Post by **FNTSY** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:44 pm

if u do the conversion i may have a lot of stuff to help.
eg the box,, pedal assembly and even a spare gauge cluster.
cheers

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:08 pm

Go stick Pete... get the bits of FNTSY... give to the mech!!

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:43 pm

Stick it is!

Yeah Grant, I voided my warranty (only had 2 months left) by taking the car away. Quite frankly I rather this option as the new mech has given me the news straight and not bullshitted me at all. If it were with the other guy still he'd have come up with some other crock to tell me. He wanted to swap ECU's, and while dstocks was willing, I didn't trust the guy at all and was not too keen on risking Dwayne's ECU for something that might not work. T'was a dodgy dodgy fella, owed a bit of money to a few people and I had someone accompany me when I picked up the car as apparently he's become violent in the past.

But it's definately the box itself as the new mech told me the oil was almost engine oil grade due to the amount of crap floating in it.

So at this point the car is sitting in my driveway again and the mechanic is going to scratch up a quick quote.....he believes about the 2.2k mark all up and about a weeks worth of work (with any luck I'll have it back before Xmas!). Again, dstocks has offered to do a swap on consoles (thank you!! you've been nothing but a huge help during all this!).

FNTSY, I'll send you a PM to chat to you about pricing and what not.

Any more advice guys? About the conversion that is.....no doubt the previous mechanic will be receiving an uncolorful visit from myself.

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:52 pm

yeah manual would be the way to go aye, then u can do the clutch etc and get it done right first (or second!) time properly

Post by **dstocks** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:57 pm

Again, dstocks has offered to do a swap on consoles (thank you!! you've been nothing but a huge help during all this

No Probs - anything to help

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:58 pm

wow just read this post.. hehe now i kinda have to stop teasing ya about the auto.. damm

Nah, seriously good choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the mods you have it should be well worth it, no more being lazy for you! Gear changin, heel & toeing time to learn for you!

Good choice!

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:58 pm

Well Pete, I know a bit about the manual box, so just give me ahoy if you need help or advice. The manual boxes themselves are reasonably hardy. Just make sure your clutch is good and all the attaching bits like slave & master cylinders. If you get those bits second hand, be sure to reco them.

I know its gonna cost you, but....I do highly recommend the C's quickshifter & cusco heavy clutch!!

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:51 pm

It'll just be a stock box for now, I need to learn how to drive manual all over again pretty much.

RedlineGX · Post by **RedlineGX** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:38 pm

Once I got all the parts, me & mechanic converted it in less than 5 or so hours. Piece of cake. Make sure you get the right drive shafts for your car and also the clutch is in good condtion so you dont have to go back in anytime soon.

Oh yeah I would also reccomend you remove all of the plastic middle console yourself before carrying it anywhere since they will also have to do this and will probably be less careful than you would. You might need a new gearbox mount as well.

FNTSY · Post by **FNTSY** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:06 am

ok good news...
i have the box thats for sure.
i can get my hands on the pedal assembly..
selector and cables....
and some brackets
i am going to be paying through my ars for those parts though as my mate was going to build another fto out of the shell i sold him.
i think i could put a decent kit together but my be missing a few things,
anyone have any idea what this should cost all up.
i know i have had decent offers for the box alone and the extras arnt that cheap.
bucket feel free to talk to me.
cheers

MrFT000 · Post by **MrFT000** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:40 am

Pete, give adelaidejap a call. they are well priced and can source the box and or other parts as u need.
for example An Engine from them (mivec) was only $1650.

akuma3 · Post by **akuma3** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:08 am

welcome to the stick club then, you made a wise decision

Post by **dstocks** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:12 am

Must admit im a bit jealous. Have been thinking about doing this myself for some time. I guess ill just continue to dream for a while

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:19 pm

Sweet mother of Jebus!!!

After three months of waiting I've FINALLY got my car back on the road and running.

Post by **Supplanter** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:58 pm

I believe the correct term is "WOOT!"

spetz · Post by **spetz** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:25 am

Boris wrote:wow just read this post.. hehe now i kinda have to stop teasing ya about the auto.. damm

Nah, seriously good choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the mods you have it should be well worth it, no more being lazy for you! Gear changin, heel & toeing time to learn for you!

Good choice!

Now you can make fun of him for not being able to drive a manual!!! And stop making fun if/when he learns.

By the way bucket, did Ben do it? Are you happy with it? Did the price stay as what he originally quoted?

Who's up for a canberra FTO (and V6 Lancer) cruise???

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:03 am

spetz wrote:
Boris wrote:wow just read this post.. hehe now i kinda have to stop teasing ya about the auto.. damm

Nah, seriously good choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the mods you have it should be well worth it, no more being lazy for you! Gear changin, heel & toeing time to learn for you!

Good choice!
Now you can make fun of him for not being able to drive a manual!!! And stop making fun if/when he learns.

By the way bucket, did Ben do it? Are you happy with it? Did the price stay as what he originally quoted?

Who's up for a canberra FTO (and V6 Lancer) cruise???

Hahaha, it's not that I can't drive a manual, it's just been a fracking long time since I have.

Yeah Ben did the work, but I got the parts through PanelHouse (who were a big help by the way) and had Giles from JapCo in the UK help me out with a list of everything I needed.

T'was 1900 for all the parts and 950 in labour (Ben also fixed up my head unit/speakers while it was going in). I'm absolutely stoked!