2002-2005 6 speed tbird conversion

[Willoughby]

Surfing Jaguar forums I just learned that there is a German made manual transmission that bolts directly to Jaguar S-Type 2.7 liter diesel which means it also bolts directly to the 4.0/4.2 Jag AJ-V8. Would that mean it works on the Ford 3.9 it’s the Tbird? Its the ZF S6-53 which is available in Europe and the UK. Although it would cost $$$ to get one to the US , sure would be neat to put one in a Tbird. Clutch and flywheel would have to be figured out along with ecm mods but I have to say, my Corvette has a manual 6 in it and there is nothing like the feeling of hitting the gas and getting 100% forward motion instead of waiting for the rear wheels to catch up to the engine via the torque converter. Anyone have knowledge of such a conversions feasibility ? As I say...sure would be neat

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[Gus Gutz]

Wow. Just the thought of having a manual Bird is great. I wish they came that way.

 

[Sierra977]

Lincoln LS offered manual transmission with V6 engine option. Same DEW98 platform as retro Thunderbirds. Pedal assembly and other parts should bolt-in to retro birds.

Might make sense to look at entire trans/clutch, bellhousing, linkage etc as well.

 

[Aznav]

Surfing Jaguar forums I just learned that there is a German made manual transmission that bolts directly to Jaguar S-Type 2.7 liter diesel which means it also bolts directly to the 4.0/4.2 Jag AJ-V8. Would that mean it works on the Ford 3.9 it’s the Tbird? Its the ZF S6-53 which is available in Europe and the UK. Although it would cost $$$ to get one to the US , sure would be neat to put one in a Tbird. Clutch and flywheel would have to be figured out along with ecm mods but I have to say, my Corvette has a manual 6 in it and there is nothing like the feeling of hitting the gas and getting 100% forward motion instead of waiting for the rear wheels to catch up to the engine via the torque converter. Anyone have knowledge of such a conversions feasibility ? As I say...sure would be neat

I actually wondered that myself as I LOVE a manual transmission. However, for me, I would think the cost would be prohibitive.

 

[biddle]

I am looking into a manual trans swap.
And any input anyone has into this will be greatly appreciated.

My input is that this is a Thunderbird, not a Mustang or Corvette and converting it to a manual transmission, which isn't going to happen, would make the car worthless. Even the Corvette is only available as automatic in 2020.

 

[highwayghost]

My 2 cents... Buy a different car with a standard shift to fill your need. The engine and automatic transmission are computer controlled. They work together through computers. I would suspect that reprogramming the computer, (something that would take specialized equipment) to understand that there are no inputs coming from the transmission and run correctly, would be difficult, if not impossible. Just put your car in neutral and try to rev the engine... The computer knows and will not let the RPMs go above 3k. And then there is the cost. $$$. I realize that some things are a 'labor of love' and money is incidental. The Dealer would never touch such a reprogramming project. If you could find someone, you better get some guaranties, because they may just trash the computers.

 

[biddle]

I'd have something that no one else on the planet has.

Or wants. Lol. The reality is, there's no realistic way to put a manual transmission in this car.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

If you think you'll make a small fortune selling a one-off, retro T-Bird with a manual transmission conversion, then start the project with a large fortune...

 

[Aznav]

Good morning all. Many thanks to all of you. I really appreciate the input...coming from both directions, pointing out the pros and cons of such a project. Of course the wise course is always to count the cost before jumping in to such a complicated project. If it were to work out well...I'd have something that no one else on the planet has. And if not...oh well. Again, I'll keep you all posted.

This will sound somewhat humorous. I too wished there was a manual in a big way. However...to satisfy my latent mid-life crisis needs, I found that straight pipes or Flowmaster's and the SST to the right really does a nice head-turning job. The hardest thing was to learn not to try and shift into second pulling back on the shifter. Oh, yeah, that will get your attention quick!!

 

[Frankie the Fink]

I put a 5-speed overdrive Tremec transmission into my '61 Corvette replacing the original 4-speed, it is NOT a trivial exercise and moreover doing it on a modern car that is not already a manual transmission adds an order of complexity to the task. Effectively putting in that "third pedal" is not easy and in a car not designed for it may require reinforcing the firewall, relocating existing pedals and/or working out the geometry and spacing for linkage to make the clutch work.

None of which even touches on the minutia of dealing with the "Park" position interlocks for car start-up, soft-top operation, door locks, computer interfaces, etc.. This will be a long, dark, lonely road with no end in sight..

 

[highwayghost]

These days, even in most of the racing circuits, Automatics are preferred. They may have a shift lever for selection, but the automatic does the actual shift. No more missed shifts. A race shop may be able to 'beef up' the original trans if the owner feels something is missing. The added muscle will transfer down the drive line and find any possible weak links not engineered for the changes. I did it years ago on a pickup. Always had to carry a wrench and spare driveshaft in the back for insurance, when you were feeling frisky!!😀

 

[Aznav]

I put a 5-speed overdrive Tremec transmission into my '61 Corvette replacing the original 4-speed, it is NOT a trivial exercise and moreover doing it on a modern car that is not already a manual transmission adds an order of complexity to the task. Effectively putting in that "third pedal" is not easy and in a car not designed for it may require reinforcing the firewall, relocating existing pedals and/or working out the geometry and spacing for linkage to make the clutch work.

None of which even touches on the minutia of dealing with the "Park" position interlocks for car start-up, soft-top operation, door locks, computer interfaces, etc.. This will be a long, dark, lonely road with no end in sight..

I mean, other than that...

 

[kurtbob]

I for one am looking forward to this potential project. I wouldn't do it to my car, but I appreciate the efforts of those who would take the time to undertake this type of project. Hope it works out!

 

[Bond007]

I've worked on a bunch of modern cars, and the more modern, the more complex the computers and "nannies" to keep drivers from doing something stupid. Its not a slam dunk. Just a for instance, you have to "fake" being in park with a manual transmission to get the automatic soft top to raise/lower - so the "cheap seat" is to just make the top "dumb" so it operates anytime, effective but dangerous. Doing this swap will result in a multitude of such compromises and work arounds that will make the car a one-off and hard to sell someday if that is one's intention. And troubleshooting if problems arise ? You can just about forget about your code scanner, it'll either not work or dump its guts with dozens of errors.

This car (which I've since sold) was an automatic converted to a Muncie 4 speed and it was a pain in the neck without ANY computers. People that haven't done it should think twice.
Just getting the linkage and return spring geometry is an engineering effort and that is on a car that had a manual tranny as an option. View attachment 15112View attachment 15113

Love the license plate. My chuckle for the day.

 

["JJ" Johnson]

In way too many hours searching the internet about finding a manual transmission conversion there are all sorts of ideas but seems no one has actually done it. I would have ordered 2002 the minute they came out IF stick was available. I "chewed out" my uncle and cousin Ford dealers about that and have never bought one yet - tho been tempted. Instead in 2002 I bought a BMW Z3 with 5 speed - "Miss Z" now has 157,557 miles. I would gladly pay $10k+ for such a conversion. And since I've never sold any of the [new] cars I've bought since 9/21/77 I absolutely do not care what the "value" or resale is ... $zero is just fine. I used to be "polite" and say that I "prefer" manual ... now at age 72 I simply tell the truth and admit that I absolutely "HATE" automatics. 2.25 million miles of driving since I was 15 ... 1.8 million with manual including daily drivers 1986 and 2011 Rangers, the Z3, 2017 Fiata 124 and 1991 Escort wagon with 312k miles. When the 2011 Ranger gets another 21k miles (i.e. 200,000) it is getting a new crate engine just to help insure reliability as I criss-cross North America 40-50 thousand miles a year. 🙂

 

[Aznav]

In way too many hours searching the internet about finding a manual transmission conversion there are all sorts of ideas but seems no one has actually done it. I would have ordered 2002 the minute they came out IF stick was available. I "chewed out" my uncle and cousin Ford dealers about that and have never bought one yet - tho been tempted. Instead in 2002 I bought a BMW Z3 with 5 speed - "Miss Z" now has 157,557 miles. I would gladly pay $10k+ for such a conversion. And since I've never sold any of the [new] cars I've bought since 9/21/77 I absolutely do not care what the "value" or resale is ... $zero is just fine. I used to be "polite" and say that I "prefer" manual ... now at age 72 I simply tell the truth and admit that I absolutely "HATE" automatics. 2.25 million miles of driving since I was 15 ... 1.8 million with manual including daily drivers 1986 and 2011 Rangers, the Z3, 2017 Fiata 124 and 1991 Escort wagon with 312k miles. When the 2011 Ranger gets another 21k miles (i.e. 200,000) it is getting a new crate engine just to help insure reliability as I criss-cross North America 40-50 thousand miles a year. 🙂

AMAZING! I too am 72 and I too loathe automatics - in fast cars. Tried to buy a Vette last year. Was looking at 80's and 90's. I could not believe how hard it was to find a manual. Driving a Vette with an automatic is like kissing your sister! I also was disappointed, to say the least, that the Retro Bird did not have a manual. Today? Forget it. One meme said that a manual shift is a Millennial anti-theft device.

 

[Willoughby]

I’m one of the unfortunate 2002 owners who had to deal with that “Pesky E” issue to the tune of $5000.00 . So if at that time I had the option of spending that amount on a repaired automatic or converting to a 6 speed (if it were a possible option) and never have to worry about the automatic failing again, I would have had a stick put in. Might be a chore in stop and go traffic , but everywhere else would be a delight to drive with such exciting gas pedal response

 

[Eventhorizon]

Anyone switch out auto for manual?

 

[biddle]

Anyone switch out auto for manual?

No.

 

[Eventhorizon]

Or wants. Lol. The reality is, there's no realistic way to put a manual transmission in this car.

Well, I researched doing exactly the same thing. Found that NO shop would touch the project.