Car is going in the garage for hybernation in about a month or less. I've already got a room full of parts for the winter plans I've made. Now after driving a bud's 6spd Z and another's 5spd stang, and wanting a stick from way back even before I bought the car(4+yrs) I think I want to do a conversion. Since I'll probably be pulling the motor when doing the heads and cam swap(want to replace the pan) this might be something to consider while I have the car apart. My question is, should I do it. I already know I would love to drive the car much much more with a stick, but I'm kinda torn because I've already started my mods in the opposite direction. I know the car will be much much more consistent at the track with the A4, and I know it's easier on the drivetrain so I don't have to worry about a beefier rear just yet(hopefully). I just don't know what to do and would like some advice. Thanks in advance. FYI I have a PI vigilante 3000rpm stall, Trans-Go shift kit, and 3.42 rear out of an M6 already installed. The rear would probably stay(if it held up) until a 4.10 12 bolt goes in, and of course the rest would be sold to finance the swap. My plans for the car definately include track time, but it is by no means going to be a track duty car. I drive it almost every day during the summer months, with the occasional track visits, and very rare street racing(actually none this season). I've considered upgrading to an LS1 and making sure I get a 6spd to tackle two "wants" I have, but it's just too hard to do when the LT1 is payed for and I can make it so much faster so much cheaper. Again, thanks for any advice.

 

I know exactly what you mean about the T56 being more fun to drive. I've owned both A4 and M6 4th gen cars. My current car is actually my 6th Camaro. For street driving, I would not own an A4. The M6 is just way too much fun. Every time I drive my car it is different. I challenge myself to drive it better than the last time. There are skills to develop and it takes time. It is a blast.

Do the swap, you'll never look back.

 

I just miss the fun of shifting the most I think. I've always been what I'd call a much better than average driver of a stick, and having not owned one for over 4 years is making me soft I think. I haven't lost my touch, for example I can out drive both my bud's I mentioned earlier in their own cars,but I'm not as quick as I used to be and I miss that. Plus just cruising with my friend in his stang the other day and feeling the difference of having fun with a stick is something I want back and miss greatly. Short of buying a 6spd car, doing a swap is all I have left. I've seriously seriously considered keeping the LT1 and buying a 6spd LS1 so I can dedicate the LT1 to more track time and utilize the A4 more for what it's good for and the LS1 for fun cruising on the road, but it just seems stupid for me to own two sports cars when atleast one of any amount of vehicles I own needs to be winter compatible. I just can't decide if I should just suck it up and spend the extra cash put into a swap on something else(like a rear) or just drop down and do it. Both have too many pro's and con's that even them out in my head. If my drivetrain were stock I would have no problem deciding, but since I've already basically got it performance oriented, I don't know. Ahhhhhh....

 

Both have their pros and cons, you'll just have to weigh it all and see if it's worth it.

Torqueing your way through gears on the LT1 is a blast, and driving down the freeway is a lot better 1000 rpm lower. It's just those times when I'm stuck in traffic riding the clutch for half an hour that I wish I had an auto so I could creep forward and stop like everyone else. A few times of that and you'll start getting ticked at people who gas it and then immediately get on the brakes in a jam. Slip the clutch, hit the brakes, slip the clutch, hit the brakes.

If I had to choose auto or manual I would definitely choose manual. Nothing beats instant tire spinning response. My engine even revs easier without that torque converter stuck on it...

 

do the swap , ive had 2 autos(stock but oh well) and i have a 6spd now, and i will always want a 6spd now, thier more sought after also, everyone LOVES the 6spds, its nice driving w the rpms up, popping thef ront end up, looks and sounds mean as hell

 

That's one of the things I have no concern with. I live in the country and the last time I was in a traffic backup was about 6 years ago when I lived in Grand Rapids. So that's a major con of M6's that I don't have to worry about. The few times here and there I might be in that situation will be so rare it won't even bother me. Man I'm still torn....geeze

 

I just drove my car for the first time since the stall over last weekend. There's not a lot of effort involved in lighting up the drag radials on the street up to about a 40 roll. It definitely brought the "fun factor" back to the car. I was torn between doing the swap as well.....but I can honestly say that a six speed still would have been more fun just driving around....

I'm not going to say by any means that I regret doing the stall, its just a different route. I can however say that the c5 I pick up over the winter will be a 6 speed

 

Okay, I've done the swap myself. It was great. I got another Z now that is auto and I'm going to do the swap again. I just love the 6spd. I drive my car everyday and would take the 6spd everytime. I get a little frustrated in the rain and in traffic with the manual but I deal with it.

Right now until I can do the swap again, I'm getting really really tired of not having that full throttle response control of a manual. I hate stepping on the gas but i'm not at the right speed and the auto doesn't shift or shifts too many gears.. it's just a major annoyance to drive the auto.

If you have all the parts it will be only 2-3 days work and you'll enjoy the car soo much more.