Telltale Signs of Auto to Manual Conversion..?
12-20-2016, 09:56 PM
#16
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But it's difficult to know for sure if the gauge cluster was ever swapped.
I do plan to snoop around the CE panel and see what the jumper looks like.
12-20-2016, 10:05 PM
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Does anyone know whether the wiring harnesses are different?
For example, the electrical connector for the P/N safety switch.
Would that connector be present on a manual car, and just not used?
For example, the electrical connector for the P/N safety switch.
Would that connector be present on a manual car, and just not used?
12-20-2016, 10:57 PM
#18
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Pull the air cleaner and look at the vacuum manifold. See if there is a plug for the vacuum line that would have run to the transmission shift modulator.
12-21-2016, 06:21 AM
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To my mind the trans tunnel is all the proof that is required. The clutch is on the engine in the manual but the torque convertor is on the transmission and thus there is clearance for it in the automatic floorpan but not in a manual floorpan.
Yes, manual and auto floorpans are different....these are not some cheap mass produced one size fits all car!
Yes, manual and auto floorpans are different....these are not some cheap mass produced one size fits all car!
12-21-2016, 10:53 AM
#20
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Electrically the harnesses are the same - there are differences in usage/configuration - e.g. as you note the neutral safety switch and also the reverse lights are wired differently. Manual has a bridge , auto has a relay in the reverse relay slot.
Alan
Alan
12-21-2016, 07:40 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by Mark R.
So are you saying there's actually a different car body for manual and auto?
I didn't realize that. I would think that should be pretty easy to spot from underneath.
I didn't realize that. I would think that should be pretty easy to spot from underneath.
12-22-2016, 01:34 AM
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To my mind the trans tunnel is all the proof that is required. The clutch is on the engine in the manual but the torque convertor is on the transmission and thus there is clearance for it in the automatic floorpan but not in a manual floorpan.
Yes, manual and auto floorpans are different....these are not some cheap mass produced one size fits all car!
Yes, manual and auto floorpans are different....these are not some cheap mass produced one size fits all car!
I'm just really surprised the manual/auto designation was proliferated so far upstream in the production process.
It seems like it would have been so much simpler to just make them all with the larger tunnel.
So does that mean there are two different sizes of the interior rear consoles?
12-22-2016, 07:52 AM
#26
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Correct. From then onwards there is no difference in the body shells. In 1986 the firewall lost the extra bracket for the clutch master cylinder. Manual and Auto cars have different rear cross members. An auto one will not clear the manual box and will result in a banging sound under hard acceleration. Years ago I converted a 1984 Euro S2 Auto to a 5-spd using GT parts...
12-22-2016, 11:55 AM
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Correct. From then onwards there is no difference in the body shells. In 1986 the firewall lost the extra bracket for the clutch master cylinder. Manual and Auto cars have different rear cross members. An auto one will not clear the manual box and will result in a banging sound under hard acceleration. Years ago I converted a 1984 Euro S2 Auto to a 5-spd using GT parts...
So far the most reliable item appears to be the smaller a/c condenser.
And even that's not definitive since it can certainly be changed too.
I'm probably going to be back there looking at the car on Saturday.
I will check the engine code of course, and the other items discussed.
If anyone has any other possible ideas, please chime in...
I really appreciate all the discussion and suggestions so far.
01-05-2017, 07:21 PM
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Update...
Well, I finally got a chance to go back and check out the car again today.
And, low and behold, it is indeed an automatic that's been converted to a manual.
I popped the hood and immediately saw the shorter a/c condenser.
Then I checked the engine number code, and sure enough, M28/42..!
The clutch is mounted on a panel that's riveted in place (although a clean installation).
--> So it turns out that the Porsche VIN decoder was correct after all.
I am totally bummed. Up until now, I was somewhat excited about this find.
It's a 1987 Cassisrot Metallic (original paint!) with factory side molding delete!
It's also sporting a nice set of Cup One's (missing the center caps, but I have some).
Unfortunately that's about where the "what's good about it"' ends.
It was sitting in the back of a dark warehouse and currently not advertised for sale.
The exterior looks nice, but the interior is rough, and the mechanicals clearly neglected.
When I went back today it had been moved (rolled; doesn't start) to a new location.
And he had one of his guys wash it, and it actually cleaned up pretty nice.
There was better lighting, so I was able to get a picture...
And, low and behold, it is indeed an automatic that's been converted to a manual.
I popped the hood and immediately saw the shorter a/c condenser.
Then I checked the engine number code, and sure enough, M28/42..!
The clutch is mounted on a panel that's riveted in place (although a clean installation).
--> So it turns out that the Porsche VIN decoder was correct after all.
I am totally bummed. Up until now, I was somewhat excited about this find.
It's a 1987 Cassisrot Metallic (original paint!) with factory side molding delete!
It's also sporting a nice set of Cup One's (missing the center caps, but I have some).
Unfortunately that's about where the "what's good about it"' ends.
It was sitting in the back of a dark warehouse and currently not advertised for sale.
The exterior looks nice, but the interior is rough, and the mechanicals clearly neglected.
When I went back today it had been moved (rolled; doesn't start) to a new location.
And he had one of his guys wash it, and it actually cleaned up pretty nice.
There was better lighting, so I was able to get a picture...