Engine auto to manual?

auto to manual?

Alright this is for the guys who done this swap already. I'm wanting to know what to do about the ecu after I get all the conversion into the car cause the ecu is gonna read an auto tranny. Will there be problems if I don't relay the ecu or change it out? I need to find alot of parts and the parts list is pretty long. So far I got cables, pedals, shifter unit, tranny, and axles on order. I know I need more parts. Can some of you guys tell me a complete parts list I need so I don't have to buy extra parts. Also is there any website online to get these parts for a good price either cheap or new?

Clutch pedal assembly
Brake pedal (or cut your stock one)
Shifter assembly, knob, and boot
Shifter cables
Tranny of course
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch lines
Slave cylinder (should come with the tranny)

Plus:
Flywheel
Clutch kit

Now as far as the ECU, you can use the auto and you may be okay, or you may be able to just wire in some resistors and you'll be all set. Or just get the manual ecu. The wiring is pretty simple, basically you relace the neutral start switch with the clutch switch.

There's a long thread about it on here somewhere, do a search.

-Doc

Speaking about the ECU

I dont believe anyone with a 93-97 gen ever did a AT->MTl conversion (however I am planning to do it within the next yr). On the older corollas <92, there are no mention of ECU swaps but they have a 3spd AT w/o ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission). On the 98+ I believe vortex have tried it with a AT ECU but it did not work. I'm not sure why not, to my knowledge the only diff between a AT and MT ECU is that the AT ecu has an extra program for running the AT ECT. But somebody here said it also modifies the timing according to the auto transmission.. Then again 93-97gen are timed by the good old fashion dizzy. So in simple terms, i dunno.

Speaking of ECU swaps, arn't the VIN number kept in the ECU as well? How would that work out in emission testing?

cross member, axles, and starter is on my list to get also. Is it really different on the manual then the auto?

Starter is fine since the C52 tranny has a starter boss on each side. Crossmember is fine, although you do need to change 1 out of 4 of the engine mounts (need to check haynes). As for shifter I believe 96+ has a different shifter than 93-95, different bolt on locations. Not positive about the years but I remember haynes showed 2 shifter assemblies.

oh, the 93-97 auto to manual swap has been done using the stock auto ecu, you just have to use a jumper so that the car will start, the only down side is that the o/d light keeps blinking from time to time in the high rpms. I will be doing this swap very soon as well. I'll keep you posted.

sweet! good to hear ure dumping the pos slushbox too

You can keep the auto ECU, I have just verified this. You may need to wire in three resistors into the harness to make the CEL go away but it's not a big deal.

-Doc

So your saying I need to jumpstart my car everytime to start it? I don't get it, so I can't start the car by pushing down the clutch and turning the key like the usual?

Also dr tweak, so if I don't do the relays on the ecu I'm just gonna have the check engine on right and there's no other problems from that?

He means you need a jumper wire where the Neutral Start Switch used to be. Or you can run the wires to the clutch switch so that it works like normal.

If you don't put the resistors where the shift solonoids used to be (in the wiring), then you will have a CEL and the car may run in Limp mode.

-Doc

doc tell me more about the resistors and the jumper, I need to know exactly what to do!!!

either here or at hazer00@yahoo.com thanx

ya I'll need to know also cause I'm almost at that point. I'm just stuck because of my flywheel for now.

speaking of ecu.. hazer, I dont think the pinout wiring diagrams you scanned for me were the right pages. It only lists standard test values.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/jspexae102/7AFE1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/jspexae102/7AFE2.jpg

Here you go, thank Ratco from TN for this one:

http://www.tt-cc.com/ratko/swap/

Well now I understand how to make the resistor box.. but where do you connect the thing in the car?

Get the wiring diagrams for your car, you'll find three wires coming from the ECU named S1, S2, and S3. Put them inline with those wires.

-Doc

Ok I'll see if I can find it in the haynes. If it's in there I'll scan/upload it and post it here.

Can I skip these issues just by getting a manual corolla's ecu?

Just do that so you won't have to deal with those issues. Do you have the clutch start switch and wiring???

nah, using the origional ECU would be more problem free IMO. Especially in states where they scan your OBD systems during inspections.

Heres a diagram with S1, S2, and SL circled along with the ECT solenoid
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/jspexae102/ECT1.jpg
S1 = Violet wire
S2 = Brown w/ Yellow stripe wire
SL = Blue w/ Yellow Stripe

Now its all a matter of locating the solenoid, probably somewhere by the shifter.

Those wires all go down to a three wire plug right next to the big plug on the tranny, the solonoids are in there. But you can wire the resistors in anywhere you want, with the 4AGE silvertop auto I'm working on now I will probably put them right near the ECU to keep it all clean and tidy.

-Doc

I've been wanting to do a swap like this as well. This came in handy.

You mentioned the vin # is in the ecu/ecm. What exactly would that mean for my 98 auto corolla if I were to convert to manual. I am also trying to decide if I really want to do this conversion.... it would be fun. I have approx. 129k miles on my 98 but the body is in excellent condition with no rust. Also, how would I go about drilling in the firewall for the clutch master cylinder? Thanks.

It dosen't mean all that much.. It depends on the state you live in actuall. In cali if you swap the ECU, you have to notify the state rep and get a inspection. A trip down to radio hut for a project enclosure and 3 resistors is much less work for me.

As for the clutch pedal, use a hole saw.

Sorry to bring this thread from the dead, but I finally got to working on my car again and the wiring diagrams work. The car can start with the manual tranny so far, but I need to do the relay thing for the CEL and a couple of other things. Should have the car done by Christmas or earlier.

nice.. keep us updated! Any pics?

well very bad news guys. The shifter cable I have did not work so I'm screwed. Do any of you guys know if you guys can get a hold of a used on for me at your local junkyard cause none here. I'll be very greatfull and pay someone for their help PLEASE!

"EDIT" Well after calling over 12 numbers and parts place my boss came through and got the right cables and I'm all set to go and the car is hoping to be done tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens. Wish me luck. "EDIT"

I just finished the swap from auto to manual in a 1999 prizm. Most people said half the parts wouldn't work like normal and of course I had no problem. I used every aftermarket piece I could get my hands on in getting it ready for some boost. I can provide details if anyone wants or needs to know something about it.

ya your right there isn't really that much parts needed for the swap. I just got done with mine and will get it running tomorrow cause we are just waitng for the shifter cables to come in.