Auto to Manual Swap Write Up. Updated April 17, 2005 - Page 4 - Focaljet

**bic469focus** · 06-22-2007, 08:34 PM

Has anybody figured out the electrical yet?

**o2_designs** · 06-24-2007, 06:12 PM

Alright, for anyone who has done this, if I have one car with a MTX75, and another with an automatic, how long should the swap take? I'm just going to swap trannys from one car to another. So I should have all the parts.

**t-roy1987** · 07-04-2007, 10:09 AM

prolly anywhere from 3 days to a week depending on how much you know mechanically and how much of a day you spend working on it

**MY20ZX3** · 07-10-2007, 04:57 PM

The Focus automatic transmission is controlled by the PCM. The PCM uses the reading from your throttle position sensor and crankshaft position sensor to determine when and where to shift. The PCM from the manual transmission uses the Clutch Safety Switch for starting the car, to tell the PCM you're about to shift (the computer will keep the revs up with the clutch in while moving so you don't jerk the car), and to disengage the cruise control.

You'd have to change the wiring harness and the PCM. Or like what was said above, by putting a chip in the PCM to disengage the automatic functions and do some re-wiring (for instance, the wires going to the neutral safety switch would obviously go to the clutch safety switch instead).

With all the work and money needed to do it, honestly, you're far better off trading the automatic in for a manual. Not only will a manual be about $500 cheaper, but you won't waste time and run into problems later.

If you plan on selling the car for something newer down the road, nobody's gonna pay more than $400 for a Frankenstein Focus.

**Uncle Tail** · 08-09-2007, 05:21 PM

hmmmm....I have had all sorts of vehicles in my life. Camaro, 5.0 notchback, 72 mach 1, a bunch of trucks, a bunch of old school. I ended up with the darn Focus not really getting what you could do with it. I am indeed mechanically inclined and have had sleds and still have motocross bikes. It's way more like pulling wrenches on a sled than a V8 Chev. I love it. And I take it for what it is, an auto ZTS. And I go from there. I liked my header and exhaust. I liked my tune. I liked my cam gears, and my CAI. I liked my tower brace. I am going to love my PW set-up.
I got a spare head off ebay for a buck, I think a good valve job will be nice, might do some porting.

And you know, I bet that it is already one of the fastest funnest things I ever owned. The 89 5.0 notchback was a 5 speed....they came box stock with factory roller rockers, headers, and a bunch of sweet suspension stuff. FUN! But not as fun as the ZITS. That car was 225 stock hp. This little ZTS feels quicker most days. I can't rev it and dump the clutch like I could with that, but smoke shows are behind me. Well mostly.

Just be happy with what you got, if you really want to climb the other side of the mountain to see what a standard is all about, give 'er. Enjoy forever all the tools you are going to acquire on your project. It all applies later.

Other wise be happy with what you got.

06-22-2007, 08:34 PM	#76
bic469focus TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: El Paso, Tx Posts: 150	Re: Auto to Manual Swap Write Up. Updated April 17, 2005 Has anybody figured out the electrical yet?

06-24-2007, 06:12 PM	#77
o2_designs Resident Wheel-Whore Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Rochester MN Posts: 9,038	Re: Auto to Manual Swap Write Up. Updated April 17, 2005 Alright, for anyone who has done this, if I have one car with a MTX75, and another with an automatic, how long should the swap take? I'm just going to swap trannys from one car to another. So I should have all the parts. __________________ *~~Boost Crew supports single mothers~~* *_/ ResidentWheel-Whore\_* 'Bone Stock'2002 TwilightBlue ZX3-Neglect has led to a nasty whine from under tha rusty hood. (CHROMED) STS Prep'd 2001 Pitch Black 5spd Wagon-(666-STFU) "Your mom has an SVT bumper..."-Pappy, 2008 --No longer allowed access to FJ 'For Sale' Forums. Has a uncontrollable urge to buy stuff I don't need--

07-04-2007, 10:09 AM	#78
t-roy1987 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carnesville, GA Posts: 59	Re: Auto to Manual Swap Write Up. Updated April 17, 2005 prolly anywhere from 3 days to a week depending on how much you know mechanically and how much of a day you spend working on it __________________ 2001 zx3 - custom intake, custom 2 1/4 in magnaflow exhaust (with turndown), 4-2-1 header with no cat, accel thundersport wires with bosch double platinum plugs. ::: soon to be in the works - custom turbo kit, auto to manual conversion, fiberglass interior, and other such etc.

07-10-2007, 04:57 PM	#79
MY20ZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 196	Re: Auto to Manual Swap Write Up. Updated April 17, 2005 The Focus automatic transmission is controlled by the PCM. The PCM uses the reading from your throttle position sensor and crankshaft position sensor to determine when and where to shift. The PCM from the manual transmission uses the Clutch Safety Switch for starting the car, to tell the PCM you're about to shift (the computer will keep the revs up with the clutch in while moving so you don't jerk the car), and to disengage the cruise control. You'd have to change the wiring harness and the PCM. Or like what was said above, by putting a chip in the PCM to disengage the automatic functions and do some re-wiring (for instance, the wires going to the neutral safety switch would obviously go to the clutch safety switch instead). With all the work and money needed to do it, honestly, you're far better off trading the automatic in for a manual. Not only will a manual be about $500 cheaper, but you won't waste time and run into problems later. If you plan on selling the car for something newer down the road, nobody's gonna pay more than $400 for a Frankenstein Focus. Last edited by MY20ZX3 : 07-10-2007 at 05:05 PM.

08-09-2007, 05:21 PM	#80
Uncle Tail Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: alberta Posts: 67	Re: Auto to Manual Swap Write Up. Updated April 17, 2005 hmmmm....I have had all sorts of vehicles in my life. Camaro, 5.0 notchback, 72 mach 1, a bunch of trucks, a bunch of old school. I ended up with the darn Focus not really getting what you could do with it. I am indeed mechanically inclined and have had sleds and still have motocross bikes. It's way more like pulling wrenches on a sled than a V8 Chev. I love it. And I take it for what it is, an auto ZTS. And I go from there. I liked my header and exhaust. I liked my tune. I liked my cam gears, and my CAI. I liked my tower brace. I am going to love my PW set-up. I got a spare head off ebay for a buck, I think a good valve job will be nice, might do some porting. And you know, I bet that it is already one of the fastest funnest things I ever owned. The 89 5.0 notchback was a 5 speed....they came box stock with factory roller rockers, headers, and a bunch of sweet suspension stuff. FUN! But not as fun as the ZITS. That car was 225 stock hp. This little ZTS feels quicker most days. I can't rev it and dump the clutch like I could with that, but smoke shows are behind me. Well mostly. Just be happy with what you got, if you really want to climb the other side of the mountain to see what a standard is all about, give 'er. Enjoy forever all the tools you are going to acquire on your project. It all applies later. Other wise be happy with what you got. __________________ Red Rocket-01 zts PW@11 lbs./FC 65mm/OBX adj. cam gears/MSD 1972 Mach1 351C

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode