I've seen some nice aftermarket replacements for automatic transmission shift levers. It's got me thinking...what would be needed to leave the transmission auto, but change the cockpit setup so that the shift lever and "boot" look manual? Shifting would still go from top-down, and you'd have to learn to count clicks to make sure you're in the right gear, but I believe that the opening in the console for both transmission types is the same...meaning technically it'd fit. The aftermarket automatic shift levers I've seen only have the one button for shifting gears, so a second button would need to be placed somewhere for toggling overdrive.

What do you guys think? Too ricey? I don't really care that much about image, or trying to make my car look like something it's not. I don't plan on ever showing, just racing. The change would just be for my own enjoyment.

 

I would say go for it.
If it makes you happy, then just do it.
It sounds pretty interesting and tight!
Luv, IR2

 

If you don't care about image then why do it? It won't make your car go faster and I think it might actually take away from your driving pleasure cause it will make it more difficult to drive.
Also think about the next time someone else drives your car and can't find the gears.
They might put it in drive when they are backing out of a parking space and BANG! Oops! They just hit the car parked in front of them. I would say its a bad idea but that is just my .02 worth. Your choice.

 

it sounds cool to me man but how would you go about doing this? if you get any pics when your done let me know.

 

I'd just be doing it for kicks. It'd just be something a little different and unique. I don't care about image, but I still put my Team SR decals on...

As for confusing other people...I'd certainly hope that if someone got into my car to drive it:
a) I'd know that they're driving my car, and would have told them about the alteration,
cool.gif they would be a competent / obervant enough individual to have tried to press in the clutch before turning my car on, and noticed its lack before starting my car, putting it into gear and hitting anything, or
c) not being able to shift out of park without pushing in the button on top of the shift lever would clue them in that this car isn't manual.

I haven't thought out all the kinks yet...I won't know for sure how feasible this will be until I open up the console and see how things look inside. If there's a lot of crap in there for the shift boot to get caught in or clog up, then I'll nix it. If the boot dosen't allow the lever to rest securely in park or in low, then I'd nix it. I don't know what I'll do with the OverDrive button...either cut into whatever I used for a gearshift, or mount the button low enough on the lever that I'd be able to find and use it through the boot material.

Thanks for raising the concerns, regardless...I appreicate your replies. The more input and discussion, the better!