Hey guys,
I was wondering how much it would cost to turn an auto 280z into a manual. The manual engine id b putting in is a zz4 350 or a chevy 350 LS1. Im in chicago area still looking for a 280 but all we got around here in the city are auto transmissions. I was thinking i could just say "screw it" and buy an auto and convert to a manual. I jsut need to know about how much it would cost. i aint mechanically inclined so i would have a mechanic do it for me.
thanks for any responses.

 

Doing an auto to manual conversion is a custom job that requires pricing for parts and special pricing for labor that only a mechanic can provide you with a price quote.
This is not a "one size fits all" job with a blueprint & instruction manual so you will have to provide a mechanic with the car you want converted and he will charge you for an estimate.
He will have to "figure out" how to do the conversion and charge you accordingly.
Unless you have the knowledge & time to do it yourself, it will probably end up costing more than what you paid for the car... buying a manual car is always cheaper which is why you will not likely find a mechanic who has been paid to perform such a conversion on any car let alone a 280Z.
Best bet is to save up for the manual car you want or buy an automatic now as cheaply as you can & sell it later when you are ready to buy again...
Well, I hope this helps...good luck.

 

Hi! I'm new here!

I'm in the process of doing a conversion on my '80 280zx,auto to 5speed.

I got to tell you, there's alot of involvement here. Good thing I got a whole car.

1.Engine support.
2.Tranny.
3.Pedal asembly.
4.Main computer.
5.Drive shaft.
6.Rear-end.(Auto is R180 and Man. is R200)
7.Wiring harness.
8.Radiator.
9.Shifter, center console,etc....

That's just a start as I'm still in the process...if I pay someone around $30 to $60 dollars an hour to do this, I'll be poor for sure.

 

thanks guys. so... anyone selling a manual 280z? lol

 

man that sux for you, having to change all of that. all i did, since my car is pretty much a race car... is change the yoke on the drive shaft, add a 4/spd, new clutch and flywheel, used auto back plate so i can inspect, added a clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder, and ran a custom hard line to it. ohh and a custom clutch petal (salvage yards want $50 bucks for just the pedal!!) also gotta note that i am carbureted