Auto to Manual Swap - 370z

Ratatouille89 · 09-09-2019, 01:02 PM

I know I know, it's cheaper to buy a manual car.. trust me I do want that.
but the options in Korea are a bit limited.. there are 7 manual 370z's and the I know all the owners and they do not want to sell it. to bring a used manual car from the states or canada costs around +170% of the car to just bring it here, so my options are either a swap or get rid of the car and drive a hyundai. I want to do the swap. I have a couple people who worked on Z's for a long time (professionally) so we can have the parts and hardware installed, no problem. The only problem is the software side of things. Since noone has tried to convert a 370z auto to a manual with the original VQ engine, there are no information available to me. So despite all the criticism from basically everyone who doesn't drive manual here in Korea, how would the software side work to make this swap work?

P.S. please keep the criticism to yourself, I'm pretty tired of all this "I would buy a BMW, BENZ, etc. with that money" crap that I get everyday while I'm here: I just love this car and I love to drive manual.

JARblue · 09-09-2019, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratatouille89

Since noone has tried to convert a 370z auto to a manual with the original VQ engine, there are no information available to me. ... how would the software side work to make this swap work?

I haven't heard of anyone doing the swap successfully, which is why there is virtually no information. Since you're paving the way here, I'm guessing you're on your own for figuring out the software. Good luck!

SouthArk370Z · 09-09-2019, 01:27 PM

You will need to replace the ECM and TCM plus some wiring harnesses. Plus the shifter position switch will have to be replaced. Probably some other stuff.

The FSM (link in sig) will be a useful resource for your project.

Personally, I'd enjoy the auto until one of the manuals comes on the market.

andy_meng1024 · 09-09-2019, 01:54 PM

There are almost 10 370Z/G37s that have converted from 7AT to 6MT including mine here in Taiwan. I have been driving it for almost 3yr without problem.

To answer your question, you can either swap to 6MT ECU or use your original ECU to re-flash it to the version you want.

macdaddymayZ · 09-09-2019, 02:33 PM

I would *LOVE* to swap my 7AT to a 6MT!!! I have two teenagers who have grandiose visions of going to college, so my dream of upgrading to a 2019 or 2020 6MT Nismo will continue to remain a dream for LONG time. By the time I am ready to upgrade to a 6MT Nismo, Nissan will have a new Z ready to buy (ha-ha, just kidding).

I love my Z and I have little desire to replace it with anything (...except possibly a Camaro 2SS...), I just wish it had a manual transmission.

Ratatouille89 · 09-09-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_meng1024

There are almost 10 370Z/G37s that have converted from 7AT to 6MT including mine here in Taiwan. I have been driving it for almost 3yr without problem.

To answer your question, you can either swap to 6MT ECU or use your original ECU to re-flash it to the version you want.

do you have details on how u have done it ?

Ratatouille89 · 09-09-2019, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdaddymayZ

I would *LOVE* to swap my 7AT to a 6MT!!! I have two teenagers who have grandiose visions of going to college, so my dream of upgrading to a 2019 or 2020 6MT Nismo will continue to remain a dream for LONG time. By the time I am ready to upgrade to a 6MT Nismo, Nissan will have a new Z ready to buy (ha-ha, just kidding).

I love my Z and I have little desire to replace it with anything (...except possibly a Camaro 2SS...), I just wish it had a manual transmission.

yeah if there was a nismo in korea I would have got it straight away but the 3~4 nismos here costs around $80,000 and nissan korea doesnt sell manual or nismo

Ratatouille89 · 09-09-2019, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

You will need to replace the ECM and TCM plus some wiring harnesses. Plus the shifter position switch will have to be replaced. Probably some other stuff.

The FSM (link in sig) will be a useful resource for your project.

Personally, I'd enjoy the auto until one of the manuals comes on the market.

sweet thnks for the info ! we have some used salvaged parts that we can get directly from japan and a manual tranny is one of them

Ratatouille89 · 09-09-2019, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I haven't heard of anyone doing the swap successfully, which is why there is virtually no information. Since you're paving the way here, I'm guessing you're on your own for figuring out the software. Good luck!

hey thanks for the support, really appreciate it

vtec to vvel · 09-09-2019, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratatouille89

but the options in Korea are a bit limited.. there are 7 manual 370z's and the I know all the owners and they do not want to sell it. to bring a used manual car from the states or canada costs around +170% of the car to just bring it here, so my options are either a swap or get rid of the car and drive a hyundai.

I'm sorry, but Japan is right across from the Korean peninsula and wouldn't be it easier/cheaper bringing the vehicle from Japan where it's made?

Ratatouille89 · 09-09-2019, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

I'm sorry, but Japan is right across from the Korean peninsula and wouldn't be it easier/cheaper bringing the vehicle from Japan where it's made?

I wish it was but with the boycott that is happening currently in Korea, the tax is enormous if you want a right hand drive car.

vtec to vvel · 09-09-2019, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratatouille89

I wish it was but with the boycott that is happening currently in Korea, the tax is enormous if you want a right hand drive car.

Fortunately, the dollar is at the moment way stronger than the won. I’m currently in the Gangnam area of Seoul for work and I’m treated like a king when I tell them I’m an American (I’m 100% Korean but born in the States) and you’d be surprised how much they will bargain and deal. But yeah, good luck on your venture and keep us posted!

andy_meng1024 · 09-09-2019, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratatouille89

do you have details on how u have done it ?

Yeah I bought new trans, clutch combo, clutch oil reservoir including clutch line, pedals, and manual shifter. Rear diff, manual drive shaft, and ECU I also bought but they’re optional. Seb can do the manual ECU firmware reflash if you don’t have a local tuner that’s capable of doing it.

iPhoneTapatalk

Ratatouille89 · 09-10-2019, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_meng1024

Yeah I bought new trans, clutch combo, clutch oil reservoir including clutch line, pedals, and manual shifter. Rear diff, manual drive shaft, and ECU I also bought but they’re optional. Seb can do the manual ECU firmware reflash if you don’t have a local tuner that’s capable of doing it.

iPhoneTapatalk

so there were no electrical issues like no rev matching or other sorts?

Ratatouille89 · 09-10-2019, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

Fortunately, the dollar is at the moment way stronger than the won. I’m currently in the Gangnam area of Seoul for work and I’m treated like a king when I tell them I’m an American (I’m 100% Korean but born in the States) and you’d be surprised how much they will bargain and deal. But yeah, good luck on your venture and keep us posted!

yeah same for me , I'm 100% korean but born in the states, lived in Canada for the other half of my life. but the paycheck I get is won and it kinda sucks for me cuz the won is at a shitty state atm. I'm also in gangnam haha nice to meet someone like me here

09-09-2019, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ratatouille89 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Seoul Posts: 22 Drives: 14 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 6	Auto to Manual Swap - 370z I know I know, it's cheaper to buy a manual car.. trust me I do want that. but the options in Korea are a bit limited.. there are 7 manual 370z's and the I know all the owners and they do not want to sell it. to bring a used manual car from the states or canada costs around +170% of the car to just bring it here, so my options are either a swap or get rid of the car and drive a hyundai. I want to do the swap. I have a couple people who worked on Z's for a long time (professionally) so we can have the parts and hardware installed, no problem. The only problem is the software side of things. Since noone has tried to convert a 370z auto to a manual with the original VQ engine, there are no information available to me. So despite all the criticism from basically everyone who doesn't drive manual here in Korea, how would the software side work to make this swap work? P.S. please keep the criticism to yourself, I'm pretty tired of all this "I would buy a BMW, BENZ, etc. with that money" crap that I get everyday while I'm here: I just love this car and I love to drive manual.

09-09-2019, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	You will need to replace the ECM and TCM plus some wiring harnesses. Plus the shifter position switch will have to be replaced. Probably some other stuff. The FSM (link in sig) will be a useful resource for your project. Personally, I'd enjoy the auto until one of the manuals comes on the market. Ghostvette and wideglideleon like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

09-09-2019, 01:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
andy_meng1024 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Taipei Posts: 233 Drives: 2012 370z Rep Power: 3382	There are almost 10 370Z/G37s that have converted from 7AT to 6MT including mine here in Taiwan. I have been driving it for almost 3yr without problem. To answer your question, you can either swap to 6MT ECU or use your original ECU to re-flash it to the version you want. JARblue, Brendan, Jayhovah and 1 others like this. __________________ Current: 2015 C200 / 2018 Cayenne / 2012 370z / 2012 C250 Coupe Gone: 2013 Cayenne / 2004 Cayenne S / 2003 SL55 AMG / 2008 C300 / 2006 350z / 2006 C280 4Matic

09-09-2019, 02:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
macdaddymayZ Base Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Northern Alabama Posts: 1 Drives: 17 370Z Red A7 Rep Power: 8	I would LOVE to swap my 7AT to a 6MT!!! I have two teenagers who have grandiose visions of going to college, so my dream of upgrading to a 2019 or 2020 6MT Nismo will continue to remain a dream for LONG time. By the time I am ready to upgrade to a 6MT Nismo, Nissan will have a new Z ready to buy (ha-ha, just kidding). I love my Z and I have little desire to replace it with anything (...except possibly a Camaro 2SS...), I just wish it had a manual transmission. __________________ I Sport-Tech my Red Z!

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