Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Park a New Shelby GT500KR next to it. then you only have to decide how you want to drive that day. (Cruisin' or Bruisin:)

[maxg765]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Hello

I own a Subaru SVX and because of that I can say it's doable and only a matter of time before owners start to experiment. It's now a common place swap for the SVX. I'll get to that at the bottom.

I think it's possible plus I do nit thinks it's 15k. Yes it's not like the 50's & 60's when you could do whatever and not worry about computers but the mods are there and available.

With the Subaru SVX, sold from 1992 to 1997 it was only available with an Automatic. Many would be buyers stayed away because of that. Subaru's reason was that in the late 80's early 90's when the car was designed it had the newest and at the time largest most powerful engine they ever sold, 3.3 Liter boxer 6 Cyl. They had no manual transmission in thier line up that could be strong enough to support that power. Thus Auot only it went.

Today there ilare dedicated SVX fourms lke this one. The cars are now between 17 years and 12 years of age. By now it's common knowledge that the car was even to heavy for the Auto used. Early pre 95 cars had easily modifiable computer using OBDI while the later mid 95's to 97 use OBII. It's known that you cannot do much with the OBDII in terms of power modifications as you can with the OBDI but that's not what we are after. to MAP an new computer programing to accept the manual is possible and kits are sold for that for Many cars. Some shops run by owners who wanted more for thier SVX's have sprung up. They do the conversions using the newer 2002+ subaru manual transmission from the Legacy and or WRX's. Also not as common since the SVX's boxer engine was not week conversions to the WRX engine and drive train are done. They remap the computers in some cases.

I am by no means what they call a "Tuner" nor a mechanic. But in this case Bird owners would need to look to the younger generation of tuners to get the first few done. After that the knowledge would be passed down on forums like this and specific places to get it done will sprout up.

Do keep in mind that most started doing the SVX swap only after the original auto trans failed or after a recent rebuild of a common failing item on the SVX. Ford has the parts available in thier bin.

The price for a proper SVX conversion is between 2 to 5 grand depending where you get it done or do it yourself.

Max

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

You have select shift... heck if you want to race, get a vett it will clean "our clock" any day. infact about every true sports car will, but my T-Bird looks better, rides better, and gets me around in style... Like the lady said in her $100K+ mercedes... "Sir when I grow up, I want to be just like you ... thats a cool car". Just slide it over in select shift and play like you are really a "mean machine" ... :)
Jim

.......seems like you've pretty much nailed it.

You can't make lemonade out of oranges.

This car is indeed a cruiser not a racer.

An auto transmission is the right choice and had ford offered a standard I can't help but think they'd have sold very few.

The easy solution here is buy a Corvette with a "stick", park it next to your T-Bird, and then go with your mood on any given sunny Sunday!

If you're like me........you might be surprised by how many MORE miles the T-Bird cruises each summer than the Corvette sees.

Maybe I'm getting old or something but I like the automatic better when driving in town anyway..... caught in traffic with a standard isn't "fun" it's just work.

[TBIRD03JOE]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Thanks again for all the responses ..
And I expected all that was said to be what they were.
Now I have to decide on selling T Bird and getting the car
that I think I love the XKE and yes many hours of work
vs just driving the T Bird.
And something I really have to think about for a while
before I rush out..
I have even looked to rent a old XKE and can not find a
place to do so..
Anyone have one were I can rent it for few hours to see
if it is the car for me...
Or just get it out of my system to drive one and say I
did drive one..
It sure is funny how you want something and get it and how
fast you see something else you are drawn to it like the
beautiful T Bird and then you want to drop it like it has
know meaning to you.

Joe in NJ thinking.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Thanks again for all the responses ..
And I expected all that was said to be what they were.
Now I have to decide on selling T Bird and getting the car
that I think I love the XKE and yes many hours of work
vs just driving the T Bird.
And something I really have to think about for a while
before I rush out..
I have even looked to rent a old XKE and can not find a
place to do so..
Anyone have one were I can rent it for few hours to see
if it is the car for me...
Or just get it out of my system to drive one and say I
did drive one..
It sure is funny how you want something and get it and how
fast you see something else you are drawn to it like the
beautiful T Bird and then you want to drop it like it has
know meaning to you.

Joe in NJ thinking.

Too many cars and too many choices.

I don't think anyone doesn't get the whole "grass greener on the other-side of the fence" thing. Every year, without fail, the car companies as a group raise the bar in terms of power and comfort.

Trouble with letting that emotional response of wanting to dump your latest choice for the next hot thing you come across is in the idea that you will go broke long before the car industry runs out of new models and ideas.

Sounds to me like you need to really drill down on what it is you REALLY want in a car.

Sounds like you're just guessing at this point........and hard as it may be for the T-Bird faithful to fully understand......the T-Bird isn't the car for you at all.

Renting a few different models might very well be money well spent if you're having trouble finding a car you can live with for more than 5 minutes without feeling that horrible pang of buyer's remorse.

[blue731]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

A lot of people have already covered most of the bases. I looked at convertible cars for 2 years before settling on the Tbird. I was pretty methodical. The point being, I don't like wasting money or time, and I have a pretty good handle on impulse purchases. I'm not saying that people cannot take 2 years looking and driving cars, settling on the car that fits their needs... only to discover that the car doesn't. However, it always comes down to one or two small niggles that make themselves evident only AFTER a few weeks or months of ownership. And usually, the niggles are small enough that, overall, the car is still very satisfactory.

Something about the Tbird made you buy it. It could be style. It could be the ride. It could be the uncommonness of the car - or a combo of all three. 500 hp and a stick, which is not an option, nor is it realistically doable, should have been an instant deal breaker.

Sincerely, good luck on your next purchase - whether it's a corvette, mustang, Lotus, or other!

[007Cruiser]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Joe...perhaps this would scratch your itch. This would be very possible considering your location. First, rent a car from here:
http://www.exoticcarrentalsnj.com/

Then, take it here:
http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/

[Lindy]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Hey,

Here's another consideration (after all, this site is for lover's of the Thunderbird):

http://c-it.com/aminter-tbirds/15/index.htm

Good luck!

--Lindy

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Hey,
Here's another consideration (after all, this site is for lover's of the Thunderbird):http://c-it.com/aminter-tbirds/15/index.htm
Good luck!--Lindy

Quick delete the link before JOE [MY RAVEN] sees it!

[billm]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

I once had a next-door neighbor with a nice looking XKE that he called his "Show-Case Car". Didn't drive it much, because often when he left home in it, he had to have it hauled back home, as it would stop running someplace!
I'LL JUST DRIVE MY T-BIRD! Thanks!

[007Cruiser]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Guess tbirdjoe has bailed on the car or the idea....last visited in December.

[Salprint]

Re: Anyone put Standard Transmission IN

Had I kept my PCR I think I eventually would have found a way to get a manual into it.
I have the Mustang now with a 5 speed and I just love driving it every day. Even in traffic it doesn't bother me at all.