Changing a Semi-Auto NC to Manual is it do able and worth it

IB1ZA · Postby **IB1ZA** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:35 pm

I have a 2007 Semi-Auto NC. I really would rather to be able to swap the transmission instead of selling the car and getting a manual one.

Is it possible to swap the transmission and is the cost going to be worth it?

tank · Postby **tank** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:56 pm

You'll need to find a wrecked manual transmission NC and get all the parts off it. Buying all the parts from Mazda will be very very costly. You'll probably need the ECU from the manual car as well.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:41 am

isn't there 3 separate ECU's on the NC's?

TieNN89 · Postby **TieNN89** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 3:48 pm

LOL like I told you before

Just sell yours and get a manual one

more than likely cheaper, less hassle,

and while your at you can get the facelifted version

And plus I doubt a converted NC would attract more value than one that is not converted

I don't know why your even considering converting it when the option of sell and buy is available

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 3:52 pm

seems like it would be a very expensive project, fairly difficult, and i think it would affect the resale value of the car , a lot.

i'd just sell it and buy another... remove any mods you've done (such as that neat stereo install) and fit them to the new car.

philz · Postby **philz** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 4:46 pm

Change cars, not worth it.

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 7:31 pm

Semi-auto NC?

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:30 pm

insurance, engineering etc will cost the swap again. buy another one. sell it to a chick for more then the cost of the manual and be done with it.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:52 pm

Everyone seems of the one mind- not a good idea. If you want to sell my guess is that it will sell very quickly - many like a sporty auto esp on increasingly busy suburban roads.

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:40 am

There are NO semi-auto MX-5's.
Only automatic ones, or manual ones.

Changing an auto to a manual is more difficult than meets the eye.
You'll need the manual pedal box, and the master cylinder mounted on the firewall for the clutch.
Then, you'll need at least one new computer as the ones for autos are different than manuals, then buy a manual box and sell your auto box to help pay for it.
Not sure about the driveshaft connections etc, but you may need another drive shaft as the auto ones may be a bit shorter than the manual ones.
And then there is the gear indicator on the dash, which would be a dead give-away when you come to sell.

IMHO, it will probably cost you around $5K to do the conversion, and then you end with a butchered car with a reduced value down the track when you want to sell it.

Personally, if I was in your position, I'd either trade it for a manual, or just live with the current auto.
The auto is a great box and is still a lot of fun to drive, and as you say, a lot better to use in heavy traffic.