FTO gearbox conversion.

stallion · Post by **stallion** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:25 am

Just recently purached an FTO with a trip tronic gearbox.
currently not that satisfied with the performace of the gearbox itself and have in mind converting in into a manual box. just need same some info please on the following:
Is the conversion a highly technical project? can it be done?
Will it be effective? problems may arise? Will it affect mivec?
How much will it cost? what does it involve?

RedlineGX · Post by **RedlineGX** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:53 am

First I can say having done the conversion myself that it is a very noticeable difference in power. It isnt that big a job once you have all of the parts. I got a conversion kit from Kempys in NZ but cant remember the exact price. My mechanic did the install in one day and have had no problems since. He changed the mounts same time and total cost was about $450US for the install. Any half decent mechanic should be ablet to sort you out ok. IIRC the conversion kit was 2500NZ but again call Kempys to confirm. You'll need to give them you chassis# to confirm that the driveshafts will work back. I have a GX so cant comment on the mivec but I dont imagine it should be a problem. Car feels a lot better now

http://www.kempys.co.nz

spetz · Post by **spetz** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:56 am

You need a gearbox from a MIVEC FTO as it has something that activates MIVEC.

I think sourcing parts may be difficult.
Maybe easier selling the car and buying a manual? I know this is easier said than done

fto617 · Post by **fto617** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:31 am

sourcing parts is not hard
but hey is the 3k spent worth the increase in performence? i.e. 2-3sec in your times or less
but its definitely better feeling
i wanted to do it too before when i blew my gearbox
but after a while i figured it wouldnt be worth the gainsm a tip could be AS fast as a anual with the right mods and 3k can give CAI, + excelent exhuast and some nice bling bling rims

RedlineGX · Post by **RedlineGX** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:11 am

Yes a tip can be faster than a manual but only with more mods, at the same time it depends on how you use your car and what you want to do with it in the future. As I may very well be dropping a turbo in it, it was necessary to put in a manual box. I got all the parts one time from Kempys since it was a lot less heacache but i dont think it should be any trouble. In most cases manual boxes will be from MIVECs anyway, mine was. ITs a personal decision but IMO you cant be the manual feeling and there is a lot more power dont let anyone fool you. Plus unlike most mods that only give you power in a certain rev range, a manual box will get more power to the wheels across the whole power band. And let me tell you 2-3 seconds off a QM time is a hell of a lot. Doubtful that a manual box alone can do that, maybe 1.5 at most i would think. to get a car running from 15's to 12/13s would require a lot more than 3000.

Post by **smorison** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 7:24 pm

the tips aren't that much slower and mine's faster than quite a few manuals

i haven't put my car down the 1/4 mile as i prefer to go round in circles, but i'll probably do a few runs after the cams and intake go into the car...

i don't have prices yet but by the time i include a piggy back i'm guessing it's going to be somewhere around the 4k mark (maybe a bit under)... with this i'm hoping for 115-130kw and not sure what that's worth but i imagine its worth a second or two

mrx · Post by **mrx** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:32 pm

Yes Steve, but after all is said and done it is still an auto

.

And look at it this way - if you had a manual and spent the same money on it, it would be that bit faster again!

One other thing I don't quite understand - if you own a tip and only drive it in tip mode, then why would you not buy a manual in the first place!

NOTE TO SYDNEY OWNERS - having driven the FTO through Sydney a few times, the auto kind-of makes sense, but at least your left leg gets a work out!

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 1:45 am

mrx wrote:NOTE TO SYDNEY OWNERS - having driven the FTO through Sydney a few times, the auto kind-of makes sense, but at least your left leg gets a work out!

LOL, You know, if you work all day, everyday, to like 6pm +, and all you want to do is get home, tip-tronic kinda makes sense to me...

But, then, I would still pay the price and still drive a manual!

Post by **smorison** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:21 pm

when i bought my fto it was off the boat and really didn't know what i was getting...

these days there's more choice...although manuals are still hard to come by...

Jase · Post by **Jase** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:37 pm

as far as driving goes the tip is heaps of fun. manual when you want to play and auto when your too lazy to change gears.

onnzo · Post by **onnzo** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:12 am

I drove a manual for 5 years (turbo cb gsr) and when I got the FTO (off my brother) I was like... auto BAH.

Now, I probably wouldn't buy a manual car again

Tiptronic make life so much easier

especially since I drive 2 hours in traffic a day!