Looking for RWD sedans with manual tranny

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Originally Posted By: bedjer
I registered to this forum when I saw this thread.
I guess you'll have to build your own like I did !!!

I've built that one... 4000$ of modifications. Not too bad.

- V8
- Body on Frame
- Sedan
- Manual
- Dual exhaust
- LSD 3.73
- Mustang Bullit Clutch, easy to use. (Clutch operates like a normal car ; not like a pickup)

I've got a friend who specializes with custom pedal fabrication for crown vics.
Normally the swap would be just 3000$. I've paid an additional 1000$ for differential total rebuilt + sound insulation in floors.

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This car... priceless !


WINNER

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I'm trying to imagine how much fun it would be to show up to a track day with that.
 
BIG respect for the project. Can't say I'd have gone that route at all, but it's simple, clean, and (evidently) very effective. Kudos.
 
Originally Posted By: bedjer
I registered to this forum when I saw this thread.
I guess you'll have to build your own like I did !!!

Nice work.

The only thing that somehow looks awkward (at least in the pictures) is the shifter position. Seems like it'd be less than optimal to reach and operate. Maybe it just looks that way...
 
@bedjer, that is one sweet ride.

Nothing evokes one's driving mood than a stick shift. If you're relaxed, shift early. If someone tries to cut you off in traffic, rev your engine instead of blowing the horn. That last one doesn't work well on automatics.

PS. I could picture some nice heel and toe action with those pedals.
 
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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: bedjer
I registered to this forum when I saw this thread.
I guess you'll have to build your own like I did !!!

Nice work.

The only thing that somehow looks awkward (at least in the pictures) is the shifter position. Seems like it'd be less than optimal to reach and operate. Maybe it just looks that way...

It wouldn't be too difficult to get a gear shifter from a pickup truck. They are long enough, and are curved to accommodate a bench seat.

I like the idea of putting a manual transmission in a car that never had one, but that could be a disadvantage where there are extremely rigid smog laws.

When the transmission was installed, did the ECU need reprogramming? Electronically controlled transmissions often communicate with the ECU, and if the ECU detects no communication, you might get some kind of error.
 
BMW 135, 335, or 535, G3X sedan, or Mercury Marauder with Cobra takeoff blower:) and 6-speed swap. I had an older crown vic that I loved. If I could do a CV with 6 speed, blower and LSD rear for $8K, I would be hard pressed to not do it.

I wonder how much the 6 speed helps with MPG?
 
I'll just add that when I was at the NY Auto Show, trying to find 4 door, mid sized or larger, reasonably priced anything with manual tranny is getting challenging. There is another thread here about that also.

In '07 to get a manual Camry around me it had to be ordered and wait 8-10 weeks. I got an '07 Sonata as they had one in stock to test drive, and more in other colors available. Unfortunately only in the 4 cyl not 6 cyl.

If I had to get something now, multiple Subaru choices, VW many choices (45 mpg Passat Diesel with 6MT!), Mazda 6, Accord EX.

I sat in CTS-V and was let down by the lack of back seat room. The Chevy SS as noted is still only automatic currently.
 
Originally Posted By: Sequoiasoon
I'll just add that when I was at the NY Auto Show, trying to find 4 door, mid sized or larger, reasonably priced anything with manual tranny is getting challenging. There is another thread here about that also.

In '07 to get a manual Camry around me it had to be ordered and wait 8-10 weeks.


In '02 while my 5-speed '94 Altima was getting an oil change at the dealer, I sold it @ 175k miles to the salesman who spied me on the used car lot looking at its 1999 twin also black and also with a 5-speed, but with only 55k miles...

Then 10 years later when the 99 got totaled @ 195k miles, I didn't expect to find another stick anywhere on short notice...but...at the very 1st stop in that desperate hunt for a replacement I found, AT THE SAME LOT, the Camry-stick...with 97k and a new clutch! Gotta get lucky sometimes...and take care of this pup for a while...
 
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Originally Posted By: artificialist

It wouldn't be too difficult to get a gear shifter from a pickup truck. They are long enough, and are curved to accommodate a bench seat.

I like the idea of putting a manual transmission in a car that never had one, but that could be a disadvantage where there are extremely rigid smog laws.

When the transmission was installed, did the ECU need reprogramming? Electronically controlled transmissions often communicate with the ECU, and if the ECU detects no communication, you might get some kind of error.


Yes the computer required a total reprogramming, with transmission delete option.
That alone was 500$ of the budget (out of 4000$ for entire project)
I still have 2 issues with the computer that I need to fix. Engine fan is always ON. regardless the engine temperature. (They say it's easy to fix. Will do shortly) And Cruise Control expects the tranny to be in DRIVE to operate. No easy way to bypass that. I'll need to take the Transmission Range selector out of the automatic, and reconnect it to the harness, and put the sensor in DRIVE position. That should allow the cruise to work.

Shifter position fits just fine with the seat. Ideal would be 1 inch longer. I can always fabricate a bracket near the base of the shifter. She shifter boot will hide it anyways. So no need to buy a longer shifter really.

Also I did not use a short throw. A normal throw shifter fits just perfectly between the dash and seats. Does not hit any of the two. Short throw would give more flexilibility about shifter location. But I personnaly hate short throw shifters. ;-)


If you want to see the swap details ; here are a few pictures (with french details).
Crown Transformation.pptx
For those interested, the guy who did the work fabricates the pedals & swap kit himself. If you want to buy a complete swap kit, it's possible to get that ordered for cheap.

If you want ALL the details about the swap:
Crownvic.net - Going on my Third Manual swap


Hoping the Chevy SS will have a stick in future. And that the call will be available in Canada as well. So far it seems to be US only even with the automatic transmission.
Also Lincoln supposed to build a sedan using Mustang 2015 platform.
 
They are quite rare now that MB doesn't offer them anymore, but you might be able to find one like mine...

I believe C300's (and also C250's in Canada) from 2008 to 2011 or 2012 were offered with 6 M/T. Just wish they also came stick in the C350's as well
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
I once drove a 2010 C300 Sport 6MT. Absolutely sublime.


Agreed. And quite rare these days.

I had a hankerin' for a C class and drove three models all the way up to the C63. They are a bit tight inside though. As I have aged I do not appreciate a car I must slip into like a shoe.

But their dynamics were outstanding, and the lesser powered models have an amazing ride quality to them that is why German cars have a rep...
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d

I once drove a 2010 C300 Sport 6MT. Absolutely sublime.


Yes, I'm pretty happy with mine. I've had it over 2 years now and I love the balance of qualities that it provides.

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8

Agreed. And quite rare these days.

I had a hankerin' for a C class and drove three models all the way up to the C63. They are a bit tight inside though. As I have aged I do not appreciate a car I must slip into like a shoe.

But their dynamics were outstanding, and the lesser powered models have an amazing ride quality to them that is why German cars have a rep...


I hear you... My old 5-speed M/T V6 Altima was modified, and had a custom suspension setup that I designed and installed. Yes, it did end up having a higher ultimate handling capability than my C300 does, but I paid for it on a daily basis with our terrible roads and rough winters. It was a nice car to drive, but did not have the bank vault feel, solidarity, and satisfying shift/clutch feel of a German vehicle. But despite the comfort, the C-class still handles quite well given the other qualities it also brings to the table.

At this point in my life, I'm beginning to see that there is more to a car than just handling / power lol. Although they are important, they are not the only things to consider! (I guess it's a good sign that I'm getting older... Definitely not a 20-something anymore!!!)
 
Originally Posted By: il_signore97
They are quite rare now that MB doesn't offer them anymore, but you might be able to find one like mine...

I believe C300's (and also C250's in Canada) from 2008 to 2011 or 2012 were offered with 6 M/T. Just wish they also came stick in the C350's as well
wink.gif



I learned how to drive a stick shift on a 1985 MB 300D W123 body. That car was Euro spec with crank windows and thin bumpers. It's long-travel clutch and precise shift gate is still memorable. The suspension was just amazing. It swallows speed bumps, yet it's stiff enough for some aggressive cornering. Funny thing is that my MK4 Jetta reminds me of the Merc's clutch and shift throw.

To me, the W123 body is my benchmark for a sports sedan. It's too bad that MB don't offer sedans in the US with manual transmission anymore like BMW and Audi.
 
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Originally Posted By: bedjer


Cruise Control expects the tranny to be in DRIVE to operate. No easy way to bypass that. I'll need to take the Transmission Range selector out of the automatic, and reconnect it to the harness, and put the sensor in DRIVE position. That should allow the cruise to work.



When manual swapping Maximas, folks take the cruise wires from the PRND switch and run them to the switch on the clutch pedal. This way the Cruise cancels when hitting the clutch, and works when driving.

The only caveat is that rolling down hill at speed in neutral will result in the engine bouncing off the rev limiter if you accidentally hit the button,but my bone stock 5 speed does this too so its just the nature of the beast.
 
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Are you running a T5?

Originally Posted By: bartl;4265085
The switch you are talking about is a clutch-interlock switch, not a neutral safety switch. The T5 has an actual neutral safety switch on the drivers side toward the front at the top of the housing as well. This can be sliced into the existing A/T neutral safety wiring.
 
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