Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Burt" <burtsquareman@none.com> wrote
> You might wonder why, but the swap cost about $500 in
> parts

How much for labor?

> but to
> trade in for an auto would cost 5 times as much. Plus, we
> love the car.

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

In article <cHKWf.60707$H71.50055@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com> , "Burt"
<burtsquareman@none.com> wrote:

> <vatana@sbcglobal.net> wrote
>
> > i have a 98 prelude waitn to be used, but i cant drive a manual, is it
> > possible to change it to automatic?
>
> We did a swap long ago that went fine. The transmission needs a
> cooler so you will need a 12" x 12" x 1" cooler from the salvage yard. You
> will need a gear selector with the safety switch and the cable. You will need
> the throttle cable and a throttle lever. And if the tranny is controlled by a
> central computer, which ours didn't, then get a harness and TCU and
> figure out how it integrates with the ECU. You will need a drive plate.
>
> You might wonder why, but the swap cost about $500 in parts but to
> trade in for an auto would cost 5 times as much. Plus, we love the car.
>
> There was an argument over the neutral safety switch. I was for
> it. Overall, it turned out fine but the whole project was remotely
> practical... My next project will have to be "how to convert to
> electric and achieve 100-mpg." - don't laugh, it's already been done.

It appears from your post that you done all of the work yourself--or with
the help of your friends. It was obvious that the OR (original poster)
would have had to pay a mechanic to do the (tranny transplant) work. The
mechanic probably would have charged the OR at least $1000.00 (for labor)
and would have to pay about $500 to $1000 for a tranny that was in perfect
condition.
Jason

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Re: changing manual to automatic
 

In article <cHKWf.60707$H71.50055@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com> , "Burt"
<burtsquareman@none.com> wrote:

> <vatana@sbcglobal.net> wrote
>
> > i have a 98 prelude waitn to be used, but i cant drive a manual, is it
> > possible to change it to automatic?
>
> We did a swap long ago that went fine. The transmission needs a
> cooler so you will need a 12" x 12" x 1" cooler from the salvage yard. You
> will need a gear selector with the safety switch and the cable. You will need
> the throttle cable and a throttle lever. And if the tranny is controlled by a
> central computer, which ours didn't, then get a harness and TCU and
> figure out how it integrates with the ECU. You will need a drive plate.
>
> You might wonder why, but the swap cost about $500 in parts but to
> trade in for an auto would cost 5 times as much. Plus, we love the car.
>
> There was an argument over the neutral safety switch. I was for
> it. Overall, it turned out fine but the whole project was remotely
> practical... My next project will have to be "how to convert to
> electric and achieve 100-mpg." - don't laugh, it's already been done.

It appears from your post that you done all of the work yourself--or with
the help of your friends. It was obvious that the OR (original poster)
would have had to pay a mechanic to do the (tranny transplant) work. The
mechanic probably would have charged the OR at least $1000.00 (for labor)
and would have to pay about $500 to $1000 for a tranny that was in perfect
condition.
Jason

--
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Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Jason" <jason@nospam.com> wrote

> It appears from your post that you done all of the work yourself--or with
> the help of your friends. It was obvious that the OR (original poster)
> would have had to pay a mechanic to do the (tranny transplant) work. The
> mechanic probably would have charged the OR at least $1000.00 (for labor)
> and would have to pay about $500 to $1000 for a tranny that was in perfect
> condition.
> Jason

You're correct . Labor would have totaled $1000 or more. Today's rate
is $55/hour. It took us 18 hours. Parts for the 98 prelude would have
exceeded $2000. The transmission computer would nearly cost as much
as the transmission itself.

Every stick we own were swapped into auto for the reason that the model
we need to do the job were mostly manufactured with stick.

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Jason" <jason@nospam.com> wrote

> It appears from your post that you done all of the work yourself--or with
> the help of your friends. It was obvious that the OR (original poster)
> would have had to pay a mechanic to do the (tranny transplant) work. The
> mechanic probably would have charged the OR at least $1000.00 (for labor)
> and would have to pay about $500 to $1000 for a tranny that was in perfect
> condition.
> Jason

You're correct . Labor would have totaled $1000 or more. Today's rate
is $55/hour. It took us 18 hours. Parts for the 98 prelude would have
exceeded $2000. The transmission computer would nearly cost as much
as the transmission itself.

Every stick we own were swapped into auto for the reason that the model
we need to do the job were mostly manufactured with stick.

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

Burt wrote:
> <vatana@sbcglobal.net> wrote
>
>
>>i have a 98 prelude waitn to be used, but i cant drive a manual, is it
>>possible to change it to automatic?
>
>
> We did a swap long ago that went fine. The transmission needs a
> cooler so you will need a 12" x 12" x 1" cooler from the salvage yard. You
> will need a gear selector with the safety switch and the cable. You will need
> the throttle cable and a throttle lever. And if the tranny is controlled by a
> central computer, which ours didn't, then get a harness and TCU and
> figure out how it integrates with the ECU. You will need a drive plate.

I'm gonna go against the grain here too and say, it's definitely
POSSIBLE, and it's certainly not IMPRACTICAL... IF you're planning to do
it as a DIY, learn-how-things-work project.

> You might wonder why, but the swap cost about $500 in parts but to
> trade in for an auto would cost 5 times as much. Plus, we love the car.

A trade only picks your pocket if you go through a dealer, or if you
ALLOW your pocket to be picked. The trick is simply to find someone
with a similar auto car who would prefer a standard. Personally, if I
had an auto Prelude in similar condition to the OP's, I'd trade straight
across in a heartbeat. Autos are convenient if you spend a lot of time
in stop-and-go traffic... other than that, they're a drag to drive.

Of course, the other option here is to simply LEARN to drive a
standard... it's really not that hard.


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Re: changing manual to automatic
 

Burt wrote:
> <vatana@sbcglobal.net> wrote
>
>
>>i have a 98 prelude waitn to be used, but i cant drive a manual, is it
>>possible to change it to automatic?
>
>
> We did a swap long ago that went fine. The transmission needs a
> cooler so you will need a 12" x 12" x 1" cooler from the salvage yard. You
> will need a gear selector with the safety switch and the cable. You will need
> the throttle cable and a throttle lever. And if the tranny is controlled by a
> central computer, which ours didn't, then get a harness and TCU and
> figure out how it integrates with the ECU. You will need a drive plate.

I'm gonna go against the grain here too and say, it's definitely
POSSIBLE, and it's certainly not IMPRACTICAL... IF you're planning to do
it as a DIY, learn-how-things-work project.

> You might wonder why, but the swap cost about $500 in parts but to
> trade in for an auto would cost 5 times as much. Plus, we love the car.

A trade only picks your pocket if you go through a dealer, or if you
ALLOW your pocket to be picked. The trick is simply to find someone
with a similar auto car who would prefer a standard. Personally, if I
had an auto Prelude in similar condition to the OP's, I'd trade straight
across in a heartbeat. Autos are convenient if you spend a lot of time
in stop-and-go traffic... other than that, they're a drag to drive.

Of course, the other option here is to simply LEARN to drive a
standard... it's really not that hard.


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Tested on: 3/30/2006 10:25:54 PM
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Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message
news:7Y3Xf.203089$sa3.179772@pd7tw1no...
> Of course, the other option here is to simply LEARN to drive a standard...
> it's really not that hard.
>
I assume the OP has a physical problem that prevents him from using the
clutch. I injured the tendons in the sole of my left foot years ago and had
to clutch with my heel for a year. No fun.

Mike.

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message
news:7Y3Xf.203089$sa3.179772@pd7tw1no...
> Of course, the other option here is to simply LEARN to drive a standard...
> it's really not that hard.
>
I assume the OP has a physical problem that prevents him from using the
clutch. I injured the tendons in the sole of my left foot years ago and had
to clutch with my heel for a year. No fun.

Mike.

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

it's also possible to learn to drive a manual!


<vatana@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1143659222.775975.88580@z34g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>i have a 98 prelude waitn to be used, but i cant drive a manual, is it
> possible to change it to automatic?
>

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

it's also possible to learn to drive a manual!


<vatana@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1143659222.775975.88580@z34g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>i have a 98 prelude waitn to be used, but i cant drive a manual, is it
> possible to change it to automatic?
>

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote

> I assume the OP has a physical problem that prevents him from using the
> clutch. I injured the tendons in the sole of my left foot years ago and
>had to clutch with my heel for a year. No fun.

A computer-controlled clutch that allows the driver to make gear
changes without touching the clutch pedal. These gear changes can
be done by the computer far quicker than even the fastest human
being with a conventional manual transmission.

I have a plan to incorporate this idea onto a VX but I'd been wrestling
whether to design one using motors or vacuum. Anybody have ideas?

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote

> I assume the OP has a physical problem that prevents him from using the
> clutch. I injured the tendons in the sole of my left foot years ago and
>had to clutch with my heel for a year. No fun.

A computer-controlled clutch that allows the driver to make gear
changes without touching the clutch pedal. These gear changes can
be done by the computer far quicker than even the fastest human
being with a conventional manual transmission.

I have a plan to incorporate this idea onto a VX but I'd been wrestling
whether to design one using motors or vacuum. Anybody have ideas?

Re: changing manual to automatic
 

In article <NhJXf.54680$F_3.33280@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net> , "Burt"
<burtsquareman@none.com> wrote:

> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
>
> > I assume the OP has a physical problem that prevents him from using the
> > clutch. I injured the tendons in the sole of my left foot years ago and
> >had to clutch with my heel for a year. No fun.
>
> A computer-controlled clutch that allows the driver to make gear
> changes without touching the clutch pedal. These gear changes can
> be done by the computer far quicker than even the fastest human
> being with a conventional manual transmission.
>
> I have a plan to incorporate this idea onto a VX but I'd been wrestling
> whether to design one using motors or vacuum. Anybody have ideas?

I doubt that any companies would buy it. I subscribe to various car
magazine and I have read about some of the newest cars that have auto.
transmissions but allow the driver to change gears (almost like a manual
gear shift) or shift it into one of the gears and not have to use the
manual mode (auto. mode). Such a system is great because the husband or
teenage child could shift gears (manual mode) and the wife would not have
to shift gears (auto. mode). Visit a BMW and Acura dealership and take a
look at those cars.
Jason

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Re: changing manual to automatic
 

In article <NhJXf.54680$F_3.33280@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net> , "Burt"
<burtsquareman@none.com> wrote:

> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
>
> > I assume the OP has a physical problem that prevents him from using the
> > clutch. I injured the tendons in the sole of my left foot years ago and
> >had to clutch with my heel for a year. No fun.
>
> A computer-controlled clutch that allows the driver to make gear
> changes without touching the clutch pedal. These gear changes can
> be done by the computer far quicker than even the fastest human
> being with a conventional manual transmission.
>
> I have a plan to incorporate this idea onto a VX but I'd been wrestling
> whether to design one using motors or vacuum. Anybody have ideas?

I doubt that any companies would buy it. I subscribe to various car
magazine and I have read about some of the newest cars that have auto.
transmissions but allow the driver to change gears (almost like a manual
gear shift) or shift it into one of the gears and not have to use the
manual mode (auto. mode). Such a system is great because the husband or
teenage child could shift gears (manual mode) and the wife would not have
to shift gears (auto. mode). Visit a BMW and Acura dealership and take a
look at those cars.
Jason

--
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We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
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