Putting a manual tranny in place of an auto tranny can be accomplished physically...getting it to run after you do the swap is the problem. Everything on the Cobalt is computer controlled -- there is an ECM, TCM and BCM that all "talk" to one another and each one gathers data from sensors all over the engine, tranny and wheels. You would have to replace all the computers to ones that can read the data from the manual tranny so it will work. Probably require the wire harnesses too...all from a donor wrecked car...otherwise the cost would be WAY over 600 just for the electrical components!

 

$600 will hardly cover the transmission and just a few parts you'll need.

 

You should make a how to for all of us.

 

write up please.

 

i never said nothing about your price moron...the fact you said it was easy is a dead give away you got no idea what your talking about buddy..there is nothing "easy" about it...of course it can be done...someone is making a RWD cobalt anything can be done...but by someone who is ignorant to the process like yourself....doubtful ....waiting....

 

well since your in baltimore why dont you come by and see it yourself. 600 (roughly) dollars includes selling my old parts.

its an 07

 

Not quite, my buddy Quentin and I did an auto to manual swap in a DA teg in about 16 hours. He had an auto show car and blew the engine, I found a totaled DA teg of the same year for $500 at Billy's Automotive in Sanford NC. Swapped everything needed and kept some extra parts, junked the totaled teg for $200, sold the auto trans for $75 and the b18 ls block for $150. Total spent for an auto to manual and better condition engine: $$500-425=$75. So he spent $75 and we spent a weekend doing it. Hell I got a complete 2k6 non-sai 2.2l w/ 40k for $50 cause my buddy works for Saturn. I could probably do the trans swap for about $400 plus troubleshooting if it doesnt run. I agree it would be expensive as hell if you dont know people or have the expertise but it is all about who you know and what you know.

 

Post pics...what did you do with your TCM and how did you - or somone else - get the ECM to work without the data from the TCM? Did you have a complete "donor" car?

 

I just love how people call them trannys...The only trannys that I ever talk about are the ones that start as a man and end as a woman or visa versa. Please call it a transmission or a gear box. Doing a tranny should be only spoken about in the lounge section.

 

ive done it before on my old neon, never on a cobalt

haha QFT

 

I call it either gearbox or trans.

 

"Tranny" is an acceptable acronym: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/TRANNY

I guess you'll have to get use to it. I like auto trannys instead of manual trannys... In fact I prefer cars to have a tranny...

Do you go "ape" when someone uses "motor" instead of "engine" too?

 

^^^I do, I hate when someone says motor instead of engines.

 

I was looking at doing this as well because getting another car is just not an option.... however, it is alot of money and work to pull off. If you can find a donor car that is a big help and Trifecta can rework the programming to accept a manual trans instead of an auto. Still alot of work. I put together a rough list of everything needed.

Trans
new trans mounts
new flywheel
Clutch
axles(definately right side, cant remember if left is the same)
Manual trans wiring for reverse lamps(and possibly vehicle speed)
Shift cables
complete shift assembly
Front of dash/firewall plate.
pedal support bracket
clutch pedal
clutch position switch and wiring
clutch start switch and wiring
clutch master cylinder
clutch slave cylinder
clutch hydraulic hose
brake master cylinder resevoir
clutch master cylinder fill hose
shift knob
shift boot
console plate
ECM or ECM reflash
remove all auto trans wiring.
all fasteners(nuts/bolts/clips)

Actually, someone else put this list together, dont remember who though

 

its old school....way before your style of dressing came along....

 

so where is this how to?

 

I have to admit it would be an interesting how to

 

i wanna c this RWD cobalt cuz i would be a very happy man if i could do that

 

just look for people with the victory red ss fund in there sig or search it...

 

^^^ Da troof!