Hey guys,

I was just wondering whats involved in converting a FWD auto to a standard provided I get all the parts. My car at present has a transmission that definatly doesn't have too much fight left in her. Its a three speed and since most of my traveling is done on the highway the fuel effieciency for a 4 cylinder is crap so I figure the extra gear really might help out.

I've always enjoyed driving standard as well and I was hoping my first car would be a standard, I figure since the transmission is 19 years old and having some trouble, now's the time to learn how to change trannys. I hear it can be quite the pain in the ass and I just wanted to know if it would be worth it and what the steps are.

(Pontiac 6000 1987 - the shifter is located in the steering column so I will have to move it.)

My opinion -- NO!!!! It would make the car illegal unless you went total nuts with the computer and tons more even for a 1987 - at least in my state. Too much to change and you might be able to get a great used trans is $ is an issue and for way less trouble and probably cost. T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Well whats involved, I am not worried about legalities. I just want to know what I would have to do. I've talked to people about Rear wheel drive conversions and they said it was easy but they also said front+ wheel is way harder.

Why not just sell that car and get one you like? T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

1) No money

2) Wheres the fun in that. Half the reason I bought a hunk of S**t was because I wanted to fix it up, the other reason was it was only $50.


(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 13, 2006, 3:46 PM)

lol that seems to be the problem these days lack of money....

Besides having a beater is better because you don't have to care when you get a little dent, or paint chips from the rocks hitting the hood....

I'd like to hear the car insurance rate for that beater car....

I once had a 79 supra, which cost $200.... insurance was over $1200...

$2100 a year with a spotless record :D :D :D :D

$2100 is crazy... what type of car?

Pontiac 6000 1987 4 2.5L w/ spotless record = $2100 per year (that is also the absolute minimum coverage I can't get)

You think that is bad

1992 Ingetra 4 2.0 ($5000 to buy the F**king car) = $5100 per year in insurance (once again that is liability coverage only)

Where do YOU live?? I can insure a car for $400 and change!! Granted that with a flawless record and discounts for low mileage and having AAA but that would only put them up to maybe $500. An oui on your record once will send it thru the roof and a second on those you won't need car insurance because they take all of it away and you won't drive here for years!! A third oui will put you in jail for 5 years!

This from the "Peoples Republic of Massachusetts" west of Boston. T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Americans have it way easier than they like to admit. I live 15 minutes away from the American border but prices here are much higher for everything. My insurance is through an american company and I'm sure if I lived in the states my payments would be significantly cheaper under the exact same circumstances. As well, I am paying right now about $4 per gallon of gas while working a minimum wage part time job.

:D

Yes I'm an American. Born here as well as both parents and back to great grandparents and before that! I love this country and have been to all but four states, to Europe a little, Mexico and lots of Canada.

I know Americans get a bad rap sometimes, and sometimes they deserve it when they behave like jerks - especially when outside the borders.!!!! Trust me most Americans are good caring people and I think you know that. The motto is "E Pluribus Unum" which means in Latin "From Many we are One."

We are here to fix cars as we can for people and provide parts if needed to anyone in the world and if that isn't so I'm gone! I KNOW THAT ISN'T POLICY HERE!

OK, back to your project if you still want to make the change. Sorry for the disertation about America but I'm proud of this place as many are from where they may be from. T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

I know canada pays a lot for insurance but, don't you get some civil services for free? like health care? or am i wrong?

Funny you mention about america is really run like 50 little countries and each state has different policies and insurance rates....

Nj Insurance Was really bad, but now we are getting more companies fighting and the rates are coming down. We pay between $800-$3000+ depending on car and driving record. Also coverage type. I had a friend in the air force living in texas and he had a car and motorcycle insured for about $500....

Even penn's insurance is about $600-$900 for Full coverage.... That $800 dollar insurance qoute for nj would most likely be to protect yourself from a lawsuit..

Here in Massachusetts each city or town has it's own rates. Some are four times what I pay. We stopped the discrimition of new male drivers vs female and no more age discrimination. Now we have to call it years of driving experience so if you don't get your driver's license till you are 40 you pay the rate of a 16.5 year old.

I still don't agree with policy as there are many good new drivers and until prooven bad I don't like the policy. This state also gives anyone over 65 a 35% discount and dammit they cause most of the accidents!! The rest seem to get in accidents avoiding them!

This state does NOT recheck your driving ability just takes your money for renewal and your picture. You can renew on line once without even going in! Arggh.!! the system is still screwed up. T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/