Manual Conversion for the Fairmont - or options?

**Polyal** · 16-08-2010, 08:50 PM

OK well Ive been having issues for a while now with the auto and its off to see a specialist on wednesday, but from a conversion I get the vibe that the auto is pretty much cactus.

It changes ok, but when its cold its slow and needs about 1500rpm to go into gear coming out of P, had a large thud out of no where while cruising today and I can just sense its slipping.

So I asked the guy, alright, worst case for a rebuild what am I looking at, the reply was $1800

There is no way in hell I am paying $1800 for a bloody auto. So, that leaves me with a few choices:

1. Suck it up and pay the cash
2. Fit a refurbed auto, cant imagine it being that much cheaper than getting it rebuilt
3. Take a punt on a 2nd hand one
4. Convert it to a manual

Now keep in mind I plan to keep the car as a daily for atleast another 3-5 years, ive recently installed a SVI LPG kit which is very nice so I want to get my monies worth; plus as far as a daily goes its good.

Ive done some very quick hunting around and have found the following:

A conversion to a manual, all parts included is $1250

What I haven't thought about is what about the ECU? Can my auto ECU be tricked?

Another thing I wanted to ask is how good are those malwood clutch pins? For $105 they seem like a bargain and might/should bring the conversion parts price down as I dont need the pedal box and it will have $$$ in labour.

Anyone else done the conversion in a non XR?

Interested to hear peoples opinions on the options.

Its really something I didn't want to do but I think hell will freeze over before I pay $1800 for an auto. Also keep in mind I dont have the space or tools required to do it myself, so I have to factor in labour.

Cheers.

Windsor220 · 16-08-2010, 09:12 PM

If a manual conversion is $1250, i'll do one tomorrow.

**Polyal** · 16-08-2010, 09:13 PM

A I6 conversion remember, slightly different. And the conversion is $1250 + labour

Windsor220 · 16-08-2010, 09:19 PM

Even for $1250 parts Id do it. Just fit it myself.

If I were you I would do the conversion. The autos in these things are heavy, sluggish, fuel consuming rubbish. No point in paying almost $2k to get it back to standard when you can convert over to manual for less. Im not sure about the ECU but I thought I remembered reading you could just reflash it to accept a manual but I may be wrong.

Cam · 16-08-2010, 09:24 PM

Depends if you have the cash and can afford for it to be off the road to get done..
If so, do it

Seriously, Manual i6's are great fun. As long as there is a decent clutch in the kit and you do some firewall bracing, you'll wonder how u ever did without one!

Convert it yourself.. It's only a few hours more then swapping an auto!
Just buy a Flash tuner and tune it

**Polyal** · 16-08-2010, 09:28 PM

OK so that $1250 includes the following:

box , shifter , console insert , wiring , pedals, XR6 ECU , tailshaft , clutch (the clutch is the used one straight out of the car we would inpsect when it comes out and advise if we think a new one needs to be fitted)

So, pretty much everything. I am just hoping my SVI LPG ECU will be smart enough to know the change and just update itself (Emer kit)

As much as I would do it myself I dont have the space or time to be honest, I can have the car off the road no worries as I have the barina sitting around.

I have had a I6 + T5 before, and your right it was a hoot, but this car was never meant to be for spirited driving, 80% of my kms are highway cruising

4ford · 17-08-2010, 12:45 PM

Just a question...

Will the XR6 ECU just allow for the manual box conversion, or will it also improve the performance of the engine over and above the standard ECU?

And if it does, where and how much can I get one around Brisbane?

My AUII Fairmont6 has around 174K, and could use some pickup!

Cheers, 4ford

Windsor220 · 17-08-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ford

Just a question...

Will the XR6 ECU just allow for the manual box conversion, or will it also improve the performance of the engine over and above the standard ECU?

And if it does, where and how much can I get one around Brisbane?

My AUII Fairmont6 has around 174K, and could use some pickup!

Cheers, 4ford

It wouldn't give anything and would be a waste.
XR6s are only around 10kw more than a standard engine. Thats with very mild head work and cam along with the ECU. Better option is to get a flash tuner.

**Polyal** · 17-08-2010, 12:49 PM

Im pretty sure the xr6 ecu will only work to its full potential with the xr6 head.

But, it should help sort out any issues with the manual hunting etc at idle.

chrispie123 · 17-08-2010, 07:03 PM

done a conversion in my au2 about 2 months ago didnt change ecu to stop the thermo fans fro being flat out you will need to solder in a 6.8k resistor into the 2 wires in loom which go to the trans temp sender in the big round loom then 2 wires off the 4 pin plug go to the reverse switch and 2 get joined together for the starter and connect speed sensor it is well worth the conversion

SLO AU XR8 · 17-08-2010, 07:18 PM

There is a manual conversion F/S here in QLD for $900, complete out of an S1 XR6 VCT

**Polyal** · 17-08-2010, 08:37 PM

$900 is a good deal but by the time it is here it would be the same as what I can get in VIC.

chrispie123, what model did you convert? If I go ahead with the conversion I think I will use the xr6 ecu just because I can, ill have to make sure that its compatible with my fairmont gizmo's I guess.

Anyone know what the different levels are, is it just low, mid and high spec?

chrispie123 · 17-08-2010, 09:51 PM

changing the ecu means a trip to a dealership which is the reason i didnt bother anyway, i converted an au2 forte

**Polyal** · 17-08-2010, 10:00 PM

Why do you need to go to the dealership? Do you mean to buy one? Id never buy one from a dealer it would be hella expensive.

EgoFalcon · 17-08-2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Why do you need to go to the dealership? Do you mean to buy one? Id never buy one from a dealer it would be hella expensive.

Think what he means is if you want to keep your original ECU you get it programmed by ford for manual transmission or can buy another ECU that is for manual.

**Polyal** · 17-08-2010, 11:02 PM

Ah...yeah well Im not sure what ford would charge for that privilege, since the kit comes with the ECU its not to much of an issue.

The main issue would be will the ECU be happy with a standard I6 top end and not a XR6 spec head/cam?

bartsau · 18-08-2010, 12:14 AM

Hi all, i have done a manual conversion on my AU wagon at the start of this year. I have put a fair amount of detail about in the first page of my build thread (Link is in my signature below). Feel free to have a look and ask any further questions.

As you have had an AU 6cly manual before you would already know how much more enjoyable it would have been to drive than an auto. As for the conversion i could have cut costs a bit but due to it being in a wagon it cost a little more than i would expect it to cost you (Mainly due to needing a new drive shaft)

Cheers Rhys

Build Thread
Also note that the cost of labor included fitting and removing an ECU which was not compatible. This is due to it being a series 2 but being put into a series 3 car.