Auto to a 5 speed

[DacMan]

Hi everyone,
I have a question about changing a opel gt automatic into a getrag 5 speed or a Opel 4 speed. I ask because I found what could be a decent deal and want to know how hard it would be to throw in a manual transmission. I have done some research and haven't found any threads on this but if there are I apologize for making this one. From what I have read however it seems that you need a automatic drive shaft to fit a getrag into a Opel, since this is an auto that is already provided, however what about linkages and the clutch pedal, also can the shifter in the auto be replaced with a stick shift shifter and still look stock, or will I have to replace the console.

Thanks, DacMan

[BQS4]

Actually it's easier to do a GT swap than a Manta/Ascona swap. The GT already has the firewall point for the clutch cable to come through. You just need to get the clutch pedal off a donor GT. As for the console, you don't have to do anything but, remove the auto shifter stuff off.

[Anonymous D]

Conversion to/from a manual transmission in an Opel GT, is covered here:

http://www.opelclub.com/Transmission...MarApr2008.pdf

You will need a GETRAG, and all other GETRAG-related parts (driveshaft, shifter, 1062 speedo, etc), to complete a 5-speed conversion.

[heimue]

Do not put in an Opel 4-speed. It's not worth the hassle. If you are changing anyway, don't do anything but a 5-speed.

Dieter

[Gordy]

That auto drive shaft is needed but will need to be shortened to work. Best way to go with least amount of grief is to order the whole set up from OGTS. The pedals show up on E Bay quite often or someone here would have one I'm sure. The 5 speed sure brings the car into the 21st century.

[DacMan]

That sounds just a little complected from that article Anonymous D posted, if I was to do a conversion like this would you guys be willing to help me along with questions I might have? Also would changing transmissions to a stick also be a time to put in a performance clutch instead of a regular clutch? Also how much money could I recuperate by selling my automatic drive train?

Thanks, DacMan

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by DacMan That sounds just a little complicated from that article Anonymous D posted, if I was to do a conversion like this would you guys be willing to help me along with questions I might have? Also would changing transmissions to a stick also be a time to put in a performance clutch instead of a regular clutch? Thanks, DacMan

DacMan,

This is probably one of THE NICEST lists on the internet. So the answer to, will we help you, is a resounding "YES". The job isn't THAT complicated. Performance clutch? Depends on how you're going to drive it. I've messed up two clutches one on an Opel that the PO had complained to the mechanics that it was too stiff and took it back three times until they lightened it up to suit him. It didn't last long with me. The second was me being stupid with a newly acquired older model BMW that I had just gotten back on the road. So how ARE you going to drive YOUR car?

Harold

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by DacMan That sounds just a little complected from that article Anonymous D posted, if I was to do a conversion like this would you guys be willing to help me along with questions I might have? Also would changing transmissions to a stick also be a time to put in a performance clutch instead of a regular clutch? Also how much money could I recuperate by selling my automatic drive train? Thanks, DacMan

The article is a bit intimidating, but, boiling it down, find a donor manual trans GT to get the clutch pedal from, and if it still has the clutch cable, get all the little pieces that go on the end of the cable. The clutch "pack" for a 5-spd is the same for a 4-spd, so no surprize there, the cable itself, I'd get new from OGTS Opel GT Source --- Welcome and then all that's left is the clutch fork from the 4-spd trans. The 5-spd presents it's own problems, or modifications, but, it's best dealt with after you get the car set up to receive the trans.

[jlthunder]

If you are serious about the conversion, I may have a pedal set up in my inventory. PM me if you are interested.

[DacMan]

Thanks guys,
I don't know if I'll end up with this auto I found or not, but you've given me a lot of confidence, and thanks for your willingness to help me through a conversion like this. I'll let you know how I come out on the deal. (could take a while)

Thanks Again, DacMan

[GTJIM]

Leave it as an automatic and spend the money upgrading to a larger Opel motor - a 2.0/2.2 or even 2.4 litre version.
I have a 1972 auto and it was plenty nippy around town even with the 1.9L motor with high compression pistons fitted.
Auto GTs are very few and far between because everyone wants to 'stick it' to them!
Ladies love them too - so much easier to drive.

[DacMan]

Thats the problem, I don't want my girfriend driving my car, plus in my opinion half the fun of a gt is having it in a stick, I still would however love to know how much an auto drive train is worth? But I appreciate the advice.

Thanks, DacMan

[GTJIM]

Automatics are usually 'surplus to requirements' as the auto-to-manual change is all most people want to do.

The drive shaft, yoke and cross member have some value for Getrag 5-speed conversions - but you will need them for your own conversion.

The flex plate can fetch $25 to $50 if someone with an auto really needs one but the torque converter and case (the auto trans itself) I have seen sell for as little as $40 up to $250 for a really good low milage guaranteed unit.

I purchased a shift mechanism and the console for $25 - the only bits of real value are the shift display ... if it is perfect with all its 'hairy' bits as they do break and wear out and the cutout switch mounted there.

The market is really very limited because, like you, very few people want them and they have several differences from the Manta/Kadet units (shift mechanism on the other side for instance). Oh - and they are very heavy to ship too.

Hmmmm ... don't want your girlfriend to drive your GT. Anything else you won't allow her to touch?
What you gonna do when you find one of those gems of life - an Opel Loving Girl ("OLG") ?

[fourdukes]

Hi,
Just finished the Getrag 5-speed conversion on my son's 74 Manta. It was originally am automatic, but when I bought it in '93, I converted it to manual. Not terribly difficult, but I did have a donor for the firewall bracket (as well as many boxes of parts from 15 years of Opel work). He got the car in '06 and over this past winter, we started the 5-speed conversion. Hardest part was finding the auto driveshaft to get the donor yoke from (which you don't have to worry about) and then getting it all back together. The difference between hefting a stock 4-speed and a Getrag 5-speed into place is non-trivial, but not insurmountable. Finished getting it back together last weekend, shifts wonderfully, but there's another issue which I'm posting separately. The transmission mount from the auto will be a direct fit for mounting the Getrag. I think it's going to be a complete success with the car being much nicer to drive up and down the highway when it's done. I would not hesitate to do it again.
-Carson