Originally posted by jfiedler
spent the last 20 minutes at work lookin for differences between parts on the V6 auto and 6-speed coupes...so far...
transmission: $1864.68
flywheel: $303.62
clutch: $307.42
driveshafts: 2x $269.77
clutch pedal: $59.50
change wire: $106.47
lever sub-assy: $53.97
shift knob: $129.50
ecm: $513.88
gauge cluster: $281.90
motor mounts: about $600
front struts: 2x $130.70 (6sp trans is lighter than auto)
total of about $5600 so far...and i know there are lots of little brackets, plates, nuts and bolts that differ between the two models.
you'd take a smaller loss just selling your car and buying a new 6-speed coupe. put a deposit in for a new 6-speed (only like $500-$1000 depending on dealer), and then sell your car when the new car comes in.
The "classic' way to do an automatic-to-manual swap is to find a wrecked manual version of the car, set donor car next to transplant recipient, and swap all of the countless different parts between the two. This is commonly done with enthusiast cars such as older mid-1980s E28 535is BMWs where the misguided original purchaser ordered the car with an automatic. As noted, there are many differing parts, but I doubt the value of most of the components from a recycler is nearly the retail price from a dealer. Surely, somebody must have totaled out a V6 6-speed Accord coupe by now! How much does it cost to replace all those airbags? As far as I know, if anyone wants a 2003-2004 V6 6-speed Accord SEDAN, building one will be the only way to obtain one.
As for the 5-speed sedan idea, there is a LOT of difference between 160hp and 240-250hp!