Swapping to Manual transmission in a '99 Saab 9-5

[Jimferd]

I don't really know much about cars; this is going to be my learning car. It's a '00 Saab 9-5 with an automatic transmission. I'd like to change it to a manual transmission, among other things. I know this is going to be a LOT of work. My questions were:

1. Is it possible?
2. What, basically, do I have to do?
3. How much will I end up spending?
4. And last, for the open ended question, anything else you recommend doing to enhance my Saab expierence?

I posted this on another forum and they directed me here, but the general consensus is that this is a bad idea. I'd really like to do it anyway, and I was wondering what your general opinion was.

Edit: Here's the specs I could dig up:
2.3-liter Light Pressure Turbocharged DOHC 16-valve inline-4
(170 hp at 5,500 rpm), 4 cyl (obviously) - it's also a 00, not a 99 (oops)

[Raven18940]

Here's the problem with things like this, the 9-5 is still a fairly new car. It is also a more grown up car than say a civic. As a result of this, few have thought about, let alone attempted something like this. Not that it's impossible, just that information/advice is going to be next to nil.

The easiest way to do what you're asking would be to go to a junk yard and find a wrecked 9-5 with a manual. Then take all the bits and pieces off of that car. Flywheel, clutch, clutch master cylinder, shifter and linkages, halfshafts, any sersors you find, and maybe even the computer in case it's different. There's probably more that I'm forgetting and you have to rip apart the front left suspension to change the transmission.

I'm not trying the scare........well I am, but with good reason. This probably isn't something you want to attempt if you don't know much about cars. Maybe if it was an old car that was carbuerated, but the Trionic 7 ECU is a beast all it's own. These cars are sensitive and can be very tempermental. These are great cars, I'm just not sure it's something you want to learn on mostly because information isn't plentyful and parts are costly.

Sorry, that's something of a downer. Ummm.......welcome. If you do decide to go ahead, you've come to the right place as this is a great bunch and they'll try to help anyway they can. Most of them are Brits so they won't be weighing in til tomorrow.

Oh, and what are the details about your car, like engine and what not.

[XAAMOTTOMAAX]

You would be much better off selling your auto on the open market and using the funds to buy a manual.

[StX221]

I wouldnt reccommend trying the swap on a saab. I havent done it myself, or talked to people that have, but like Raven said, they are tempermental cars. Ive talked to people on a different forum when i owned my VW Jetta, and many guys over on that site have done the swap on Jetta's...but with the saab, i think they've got it right, sell the one you have and look for one thats already a manual.

Hey, even take the money you would have spent on the tranny and swap and get yourself an aero...:cheesy: !

[95 Aero]

Wow its a brave person that takes that on.
I would sell the auto and buy a manual it will save a huge amount of time and money :)

But if you do it the hard way I wish you luck :D

[timmehhhhhh]

Not worth it. You could probably find a 2002 manual transmission 9-5 for about $12,000 anyway.

[Finn]

Hi Jimferd welcome to Saab Central http://phpbb88.com/phpbb/images/smiles/th_welcome.gif (javascript:emoticon(':welcome'))


Finn :)