Converting Manual to Automatic

[Johnny C]

I know I'm probably gonna get blasted for this, lol, but has anyone ever done this sort of conversion? I saw a thread for converting an auto to a manual, but not the other way around. What difficulties would one run into in making this conversion? Would everything align and "fit" where it's supposed to (shifter, etc)?

I live in an area with a TON of traffic and that heavy clutch isn't doing my leg any favors, LOLOL.

Any thoughts? Should I not even consider it? Should I shut the hell up? :lol:

-Johnny C

[MrChocky]

I know I'm probably gonna get blasted for this, lol, but has anyone ever done this sort of conversion? I saw a thread for converting an auto to a manual, but not the other way around. What difficulties would one run into in making this conversion? Would everything align and "fit" where it's supposed to (shifter, etc)?

I live in an area with a TON of traffic and that heavy clutch isn't doing my leg any favors, LOLOL.

Any thoughts? Should I not even consider it? Should I shut the hell up? :lol:

-Johnny C

Given the demand for manuals by auto owners, I think you'd simply be better off finding someone to swap cars with. It depends how much you've customized your car though.

[82DMC12]

As far the frame goes, the only thing you would have to do is cut the deck out where the manual shift sits and have someone fab up a new plate that can be installed at the correct height in the frame for the auto shifter. The auto shifter sits lower than the manual shifter. No other frame changes needed.

No idea on other automatic-specific components as I don't have one and have never looked very closely at one.

[MrChocky]

An incomplete list of additional auto components is:

Second WOT switch.
Auto trans computer and governor cable.
Auto trans itself.
Obviously shifter and linkage.

[Michael]

An incomplete list of additional auto components is:
Auto trans itself.


You have a firm grasp of the obvious.

[Mark D]

Sounds like you just gotta stop skipping leg day and beef up those lower left leg muscles.
Gotta be swole to drive a manual DeLorean

:strongman:



But seriously though, it is an interesting question. I can't say I remember anyone ever doing a manual to auto swap.

I don't drive my car frequently enough in heavy traffic that the clutch pedal is that annoying, but I agree it's got a heavy feel to it. I let one of my friends drive my car a while back and the first thing he said was "really?? is this how the clutch pedal is supposed to feel??" He's a mid 90's honda guy and the pedal feel on those by comparison is super light.


EDIT:

Here we go, I just found this thread about swapping from auto to manual. Just do the exact opposite and you should be all set!
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?18763-Converting-an-automatic-frame-to-a-manual&highlight=auto+swap


Double ninja edit:
Looks like you're not the first one to ask this question:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4034-Manual-To-Automatic&highlight=auto+swap

[David T]

Going 5-speed to auto is actually easier than the other way. You need a LOT of little bits though. It would be easier if you had a parts car, some of the bits are going to be hard and expensive to get one-by-one. Probably more cost effective and a lot faster to just sell your car and buy an automatic. Realize an automatic is not as "peppy" as a 5-speed but it is more convenient to drive especially in traffic or hilly areas. It is all bolt-in except for some minor fabrication of the frame in the shifter area. The ideal situation would be someone who has an automatic that wants a 5-speed. You could either swap parts or cars.

[WHO1DMC]

OK Just spitballing here. Can the peddle be modified for a lighter peddle return spring? How heavy is that thing? Or roller barings instead of solid bushings?



Remember just ideas I could think of to possibly make a difference in a easier way.

Dave B.

[Johnny C]

OK Just spitballing here. Can the peddle be modified for a lighter peddle return spring? How heavy is that thing? Or roller barings instead of solid bushings?



Remember just ideas I could think of to possibly make a difference in a easier way.

Dave B.


Ooohhhhh, now there ya go... That's a great question. I'd entertain that option for sure. Why IS that thing so heavy? Anyone successfully made it less difficult to press down on?

[Johnny C]

Sounds like you just gotta stop skipping leg day and beef up those lower left leg muscles.
Gotta be swole to drive a manual DeLorean

:strongman:



But seriously though, it is an interesting question. I can't say I remember anyone ever doing a manual to auto swap.

I don't drive my car frequently enough in heavy traffic that the clutch pedal is that annoying, but I agree it's got a heavy feel to it. I let one of my friends drive my car a while back and the first thing he said was "really?? is this how the clutch pedal is supposed to feel??" He's a mid 90's honda guy and the pedal feel on those by comparison is super light.


EDIT:

Here we go, I just found this thread about swapping from auto to manual. Just do the exact opposite and you should be all set!
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?18763-Converting-an-automatic-frame-to-a-manual&highlight=auto+swap


Double ninja edit:
Looks like you're not the first one to ask this question:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4034-Manual-To-Automatic&highlight=auto+swap

Thanks Mark! I saw the first one, but let me check out the second for sure! As for being swole... hell, my left leg will eventually get there and I won't even have to have leg day! LOLOLOL!!! Now to figure out how to make the right leg match.... hmmmm..... ;-)


Great advice here folks! Thanks so much!!

[MrChocky]

The only correct resolution at this point is to get a second DeLorean.

[Johnny C]

The only correct resolution at this point is to get a second DeLorean.

Best… reply… so… far. 😂

[Helirich]

I understand the OP. I love driving my 5 speed……………except in crawling bumper to bumper traffic. Ever been on I-95 crawling for five miles? Not quite ready to trade for the auto……yet.

[Jonathan]

An incomplete list of additional auto components is:

Second WOT switch.
Auto trans computer and governor cable.
Auto trans itself.
Obviously shifter and linkage.

Auto trans fluid cooler pipe (just a coolant pipe on manuals, but is a little heat exchanger between ATF and coolant on the autos. You'll need the pipe, bracket and connection hoses if they aren't already dangling from your donor auto trans).

ATF dipstick tube and bracket (top of tube attaches to front side of engine).

Additional vacuum tubing connection that runs from the front tip of the auto trans back to the engine block (you'll need the little rubber hose off the vacuum modulator, the tube itself and the brackets that hold it in place).

Auto pedal box (and auto trans uses a larger brake pedal rubber pad too).

The diagnostics plug contraption that comes off the shift computer attaches right near the ballast resistor (bracket may be needed). Most of the other shift computer connections go right into the trans and are just zip tied out of the way... which is important because one of them goes above the exhaust crossover pipe and needs to not be lying on it getting melted).

Auto trans mounts (complete set for both sides including frame bracket and trans bracket, rubber middle, nuts, bolts, washers, etc.)

The shifter style changed part way through the VINs. Whichever style you go with, you'll need those clips and pieces and whatnot that were meant for it as it's not all interchangeable.

A special 5-point harness seatbelt assembly to hold you back firmly in that seat... you know, because of the neck-breaking added performance from the automatic.

[Johnny C]

Auto trans fluid cooler pipe (just a coolant pipe on manuals, but is a little heat exchanger between ATF and coolant on the autos. You'll need the pipe, bracket and connection hoses if they aren't already dangling from your donor auto trans).

ATF dipstick tube and bracket (top of tube attaches to front side of engine).

Additional vacuum tubing connection that runs from the front tip of the auto trans back to the engine block (you'll need the little rubber hose off the vacuum modulator, the tube itself and the brackets that hold it in place).

Auto pedal box (and auto trans uses a larger brake pedal rubber pad too).

The diagnostics plug contraption that comes off the shift computer attaches right near the ballast resistor (bracket may be needed). Most of the other shift computer connections go right into the trans and are just zip tied out of the way... which is important because one of them goes above the exhaust crossover pipe and needs to not be lying on it getting melted).

Auto trans mounts (complete set for both sides including frame bracket and trans bracket, rubber middle, nuts, bolts, washers, etc.)

The shifter style changed part way through the VINs. Whichever style you go with, you'll need those clips and pieces and whatnot that were meant for it as it's not all interchangeable.

A special 5-point harness seatbelt assembly to hold you back firmly in that seat... you know, because of the neck-breaking added performance from the automatic.

I think I’ll stick with the manual. 😂😂

[Nicholas R]

OK Just spitballing here. Can the peddle be modified for a lighter peddle return spring? How heavy is that thing? Or roller barings instead of solid bushings?

Remember just ideas I could think of to possibly make a difference in a easier way.

Dave B.


Ooohhhhh, now there ya go... That's a great question. I'd entertain that option for sure. Why IS that thing so heavy? Anyone successfully made it less difficult to press down on?

The pedal return spring and bushings have little to nothing to do with the weight of the clutch pedal. The pedal weight is a function of the diaphragm spring on the clutch pressure plate, and the ratio of diameters between the master and slave cylinders. Some clutch pressure plate springs are heavier than others. I remember Hervey used to sell multiple different pressure plates with different clamp forces; not sure what the current Valeo offering is. In the LS DMC world, most of us are now using an aftermarket 350z pressure plate and wow do they have a heavy spring; significantly higher than stock.

I don't recall off hand what the stock cylinder bores are (I know Josh S. has played around with them a bit though), but the stiffness of the pedal is also based on the difference in bore diameters. The smaller the master cylinder bore is compared to the slave cylinder, the easier the pedal will be to press because you're moving less fluid per unit of stroke. The downside here is that you'll have to push the pedal farther because you still need to displace the same overall amount of fluid if you want to disengage the clutch.

In the end it's all about finding a balance between bore and stroke length. You could make the pedal as light as a feather if the master cylinder bore was small enough, but you'd be moving so little fluid as you pushed the pedal that you'd need a mile of stroke to disengage the clutch.

[WHO1DMC]

Well we need a person with adventurous spirits to come up with a boosted clutch alternative. There's probably going to be a market for it in the near future. Just saying because we have a power steering alternative and we're not getting younger.😁




Dave B.

[Nicholas R]

Well we need a person with adventurous spirits to come up with a boosted clutch alternative. There's probably going to be a market for it in the near future. Just saying because we have a power steering alternative and we're not getting younger.��

Dave B.

If it's that important to you, you could play around with it yourself. Wilwood's line of compact remote reservoir master cylinders can be made to fit the DeLorean's clutch system fairly easily.

https://www.wilwood.com/MasterCylinders/MasterCylinderList?group=GS%20Compact%20Remote%20M aster%20Cylinder

They have bores ranging from 13/16" down to 1/2". According to a post I read on the UK Forum, the stock bore size is 13/16" so there should be plenty of opportunity to test lowering the bore. I've considered looking into it myself but the weight of the pedal (even with the big pressure plate) has never bothered me enough to do so.

[Josh]

Well we need a person with adventurous spirits to come up with a boosted clutch alternative. There's probably going to be a market for it in the near future. Just saying because we have a power steering alternative and we're not getting younger.😁




Dave B.

This has been done before by Tom Neiland, with a remote mount master cylinder (the type mounted under the floor in hot rods)
It was found it provided too much assist and made the clutch feel extremely vague almost undrivable.

I modified my pedal box (actually started with an automatic box) to make as long of a clutch pedal as possible and benefit from the leverage. The stock clutch pedal setup has very little leverage and extra friction due to multiple linkages. its a very poor design.
I have a very heavy performance clutch and the pedal is comfortable.

[CFI]

Auto pedal box.

I don’t think that is necessary. You could remove the clutch pedal components, are simply leave them in. Either way you should be able to connect the appropriate gas pedal and brake pedal components without an issue.

[Josh]

I don’t think that is necessary. You could remove the clutch pedal components, are simply leave them in. Either way you should be able to connect the appropriate gas pedal and brake pedal components without an issue.

Manual pedal boxes have a lot more value than autos. Auto boxes are sitting on shelves collecting dust and manuals command 500-1000$. Makes sense to use the proper pedal box to me.

But you are right you could run a manual pedal box in an automatic car.