Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

I'd really like a manual 928 but since only 10 percent of production was specified with this option they are rather rare. Does anybody know how much work it takes to convert an auto to manual and possibly how much?

Hi

In the UK it was around 15% that were imported as manuals....

The costs are quite high as you need all the parts plus a LOT of labour...

As a guess, assuming you can FIND the parts (manual box being the main problem) ...I would think you are looking at around 2k to 3k in total....maybe more if you are not doing the labour yourself....

Personally I would invest that money in buying a manual....ALL GTs are manual for example...

All the best Brett

I'm with Brett on this one - far easier to search out a manual car to start with; you'll only get a manual gearbox for your conversion from a scrapped manual 928, different model years have different gearboxes, you'll also need the pedals and clutch cylinder (the fitting of which may require cutting a hole in the firewall), gear change mechanism etc. etc.

Once again, Paul Anderson is probably the best person to ask as he has actually done several conversions.

Having said all that, have you actually tried many automatic 928s? When I was first looking for a 928, I too felt that I'd have preferred a manual but ended up with an auto; now I'm quite happy with it - much easier in stop/start traffic (the later clutches are said to be quite heavy going), not much compromise in terms of performance (just move the selector out of "D" to change down) and I feel that the auto box adds to the luxurious/effortless "feel" of driving a 928.

Hi

One further comment about the autos......

Do NOT buy a manual if you live in a city, like London ETC....

The clutch is relatively heavy with a long throw, and take my word you will NOT like traffic jams etc in one.....

The auto on the other hand is smooth as silk in a city and as has been said, if you want to push the car, you can use the auto almost like a manual by using 1,2 and 3 hold....

All the best Brett

Why? as previously mentioned the 928 mainly came with an auto and in my opinion it just suits the car better with an engine of this size. Since ive owned my car ive bought various books on the 928 and in my opinion the auto just suits the car better..you have all that power and the kick down is something else.

In the pics that ive seen I just think the manual stick just looks odd..like bugs bunnys ear sticking out! I drive a 2.0 (170bhp)6 speed Passat (watch out Mr A3!) manual during the day..and with traffic jams and eveything else I cant understand why everyone dosent opt for an auto - I would if my boss wasent such a tight arse- I do a fair bit of mileage and carry a "spare leg" wherever I go.

My 928 is for pleasure and I love driving the car as it is and I wouldnt swap it for a manual transmission anyday! Gook Luck RT

Autoboxes are now far better than they used to be. I think a manual gearbox really only suits older cars or hot hatches.