crwys

Hi I've tried searching the forums for previous threads but couldn't find much other than it's possible to do so.
I want to know what parts I need so I can total up an estimated cost. Any source links would be appreciated. Thank You.
I'll report back if I find anything as well.

LeX2K

It's not practical just buy a car with a manual transmission.

crwys

I understand that. Let me explain. My transmission is basically gone.
A remanufactured is going to run me over 2k.
A new lexus will definitely run me over 2.5k
I'm paying a mechanic friend at probably half the price for the manual trans swap compared to a shop. I'm assuming can't be more than 4k after parts and labor.
So no matter what I'm spending a large amount and having the manual trans will be much more reliable than the u140e.
And I really don't want to get rid of my car, and having a rare manual es300 will be nice anyways.

LeX2K

If your mechanic friend is doing the work then they are the ones that should know what is needed and what is involved.

speedkar9

Here's a start,

Parts Needed:
1997-2001 Toyota Camry or 1999-2003 Solara V6 with a manual transmission.

Additional notes
The 99-03 ES's had the 1MZ-FE engine with VVT-i. Toyota didn't offer this engine in any other car with a manual transmission. What you could do is swap in a 1MZ-FE engine without VVT-i (or somehow disable VVT-i) and swap the ECU's with the one with a manual transmission without VVT-i. Of course the labor will be very involved as you'll also have to transfer the wiring harness and shift linkages, and customize your center console to accept a stick, as no 3rd Gen ES's came with a stick.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

LeX2K

I've done auto to manual swaps on cars that had the manual transmission option from the factory. Even on those cars you have to swap shifter cables, drill holes in the firewall, install the clutch and brake pedal assembly and a whole bunch of other stuff. On a car that never came with a manual that's even more work. You NEED a donor car to make it feasible.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

What is up with all these people trying to swap a manual transmission into an ES, recently?

crwys

@lexus2000
If you read my first post instead of just the title and jumped to criticizing me you would know; yes my mechanic knows what parts I need, but I would like to know what parts I need as well. I'm trying to compare the cost of buying a new transmission, swapping it, or buying a new car. And I would like to help him find the parts to find a variety to choose from.

@speedkar9
Thank You. The project may be a couple months but I will update this thread if I actually do it and if my mechanic is up for it.

@mrbooby
If I had the toyota transmission. I would have just gone the rebuilt transmission route. But I have the lexus transmission and I'm not comfortable with the reliability and cost of it.

Fritz330

I say go for it and make all the haterz cry.

LeX2K

Did you try asking him what parts are needed are you on speaking terms with the guy? How about this you ask him and post the parts list here so everyone will benefit.

You know why no one puts a manual transmission in a generation 3 ES? Because it's really really difficult and costly. As for proving the "haters" wrong well go ahead I'd love to see it. But when people come on the forum asking the most basic questions on how to do a very complex job well it's really easy to be skeptical it will ever happen.
Not sure what you mean here.

crwys

SIGH
Im not going to explain it to you for the third time.

However for the transmission confusion. The 90s to early 2000 es 300 cars. If they have 18 bolts on the transmission pan, then you have the Lexus exclusive U140e transmission, type iv fluid. If you have 17 bolts on the transmission pan then you have the Toyota Camry a415 (or something similar) transmission.

The Toyota transmission goes for about 300 to 500$ remanufactured depending on where you live.

The Lexus transmission goes for over 2k $ for a remanufactured. It's also had many complains that I have found online, not just on these forums either, for being unreliable and buggy, no matter how well it was maintained.

So if there is some way to swap the U140e transmission with the a415, I'm all for it.

I believe only the 98 to 01 have the u140e, or it's mixed. I could be wrong. I've been doing all the research I can

LeX2K

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_...smission#U140E

crwys

"I could be wrong"
Btw if you look up the a541 you will find it's in the 1997-1999 Lexus ES 300 as well.

Feel free to reply but im done feeding the troll.

hypervish

OK, first of all it's a541e, not a415. Secondly, the u140e is not Lexus exclusive as has already been pointed out. Third, both the a541e and u140e are made by Aisin-Warner, not Toyota. And, lastly... Well, I can't say that here.