I think this might have been asked before, but with a quick search I couldn't really find anything useful. I have to say that a GS4 with a true manual tranny, preferably a six-speed, would be a glorious thing indeed. In my opinion money spent on a manual tranny would be preferable to money spent on a TC/LSD/intake or even forced induction, but that's all based on my particular slant toward driving fun.

So obviously RMM got the 4.3L engine working with a 6MT in the IS430 concept car. I wonder how feasible it would be for someone, perhape even RMM, to do a tranny swap. I know the ECU has to be reprogrammed and all since it's VERY specific to the GS's tranny. I imagine that would be the biggest hurdle.

Anyone have any insights here? Has anyone already inquired into this with custom tuner shops?

Moderators, if this should be moved to the tranny/engine sub-forum, go for it. I was going to higher initial visibility in the main forum.

 

well, basically with money, everything is possible. but just how much would it take for you to get a 6 speed (say the getrag) into the gs4 with a v8 engine? let's see:

1) new bell housing
2) most likely new clutch, flywheel, etc...
3) obviously new tranny
4) whatever custom spacers or so you will need to align everything back together (with drive shaft, etc...)
5a) throw away the stock ecu. it's useless coz' it has the tranny info in it as well (and no one can reprogram it so far)
6) that means you need a whole new computer of some sort, probably stanalone. now you run into problems on running the computer with vvti.
5b) or you can try to get more computers on top of each other and trick the stock ecu to THINK that the auto tranny is still there, etc...
7) any other possible cosmetic change, brackets, etc.... if needed

imho, this is going to be one hell of an expensive project. easy 5 to 7k i think? even finding a good used getrag 6 speed would be hard without bunch of money.

i am sure the result woudl be great though. the car is going to be fast with the 6 speed. but if you factor in the price as well, i think the tc is still a better mod (we won't throw the lsd in coz' you can still do that with the 6 speed)

 

Didnt some company do this in florida

i remember seeing pics

but it had a high price tag as well $$$$

 

Yeah, I would assume the price tag would be prohibitively high for me. I've been considering moving into a manual tranny car for some time now, probably either a G35 coupe or perhaps a 540i-6MT, but it always occurs to me that a GS4 with a manual would really be incredible. Figured I'd think out loud a bit...

 

believe me, i am sure a lot of people (including me!) would wanna do that to the gs4. i am actually kinda bored driving the auto, manual is so much more fun

 

Just for grins I emailed RMM to see if they'd consider such a project. No harm in asking the question, even though I think we all know the answer. I'll post the response if it's anything interesting.

 

The mechanical part isn't that hard but you have to play with the ECU. This project is doable but it takes some funds to get it going.
JPI

 

I just completed my 5spd conversion. The price was reasonable.

Try here for help: http://www.lextreme.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

 

There's obviously quite a bit of info there, but I'd personally find it helpful if you could distill the details of your conversion on this thread. Of particular interest is which manual tranny you used and (ballpark) how much did the conversion cost? Did you lose any peripheral systems by doing the conversion? Any pics of your console with the tranny in place?

Thanks!

 

a write up would be great! I was trying the same thing for awhile for an sc400. The only hang up i can see is the ECU, with the tranny/bellhousing/adapter plate avaialble from a shop in austrailia. Most of the parts are available from there, its just a matter of getting all the information.

 

I'll get some info together and post it. I'm on vacation for a couple of weeks, so I might take alittle while. As for the ECU, its extremely easy to trick it into thinking the car is in neutral.

 

Thanks! REALLY looking forward to it! One more question that might be a no-brainer to answer...how does the GS4 drive with a manual tranny?! What are your impressions?

 

if its really that easy then i need to relook at this mod again. I'd really like a manual transmission sc400 or gs400!

 

that's awesome! very nice work, definitely more details!

 

Need to keep a close eye on this thread!!!!