Average cost for SMG to manual conversion

[jet_dogg]

Nobody said either of those things man don't be so insecure. Props to those grannies who are more manly than men who can't drive a manual transmission.

An automated gearbox is going to make you faster on a track too, nobody was arguing that either.

[simonnim]

Not insecure. I've owned both. Just putting it out there in addition to my opinion in price.

It does bother me that people think it's some type of machismo to drive a manual car. But just ranting more than anything.

[Will ZCPM3]

I purchased my car new with SMG due to the sole fact I had a 1.5 hour commute in stop and go traffic at the time. I was driving a manual 323ci before that and the drive was a leg killer. I still consider myself manly...

[pawelgawel]

Back in the day SMG was something new and exciting... it was hyped up and technically did exactly what it was build to do. The conversions happening now are done for 2 main reasons, long term cost of SMG and to be more in tuned with the vehicle. SMG is great and I actually didn't mind it at all. Drove through some beautiful roads up north where I live and loved how fun and fast the gearing was. Sometimes I still wonder why I did the swap, then I take it for another drive and I get my answer.
Some cars are just meant for manuals.

[Icecream]

I consider you a poo c.

Anyone that equates manual driving with manliness is confused lol.

[r4dr]

Also the manual vs smg/dct whatever is that unless you've driven both on the track, you won't understand the benefits of using paddles for shifting. You can focus on the lines and trail braking and correction without thinking about depressing the clutch, rev matching and throwing in gear while taking a turn.

Let's not conflate SMG and DCT... I actually think an E46 M3 would be pretty interesting with a modern DCT.

That being said, these cars are low HP and slow enough that I don't think a talented driver would have issues managing the shifting on top of driving the car. It's different when it's a fast car like an F8X or even a 991 GT car. But even the GT cars with sticks have auto rev matching and no lift shift.

[jet_dogg]

I consider you a poo c.

Anyone that equates manual driving with manliness is confused lol.

Ok "icecream".

[oceansize]

There is always fear in what you don't understand which adds to people's desire to swap. For most an SMG unit is a magic black box. Adding to that complexity is the absolute requirement of having INPA with all the SMG utilities or DIS.

I've taken apart my pump and rebuilt it and then relocated it to the drug bin. After you do that the fear of the hydraulic unit is gone because you know how it works and it is super simple to access. Parts can now be had at various resellers so if my unit dies I could care less. I'll rebuild it again. It still isn't what I would call "cheap" but you gotta pay to play, either through a swap, or maintenance.

That leaves the GPS, clutch slave, springs on the transmission (but these are in manual cars as well) and the actuator. None of that is complicated either but it certainly seems so if you aren't mechanically inclined.

[Icecream]

Ok "icecream".

I think my sarcasm button is broken.

[simonnim]

Let's not conflate SMG and DCT... I actually think an E46 M3 would be pretty interesting with a modern DCT.

That being said, these cars are low HP and slow enough that I don't think a talented driver would have issues managing the shifting on top of driving the car. It's different when it's a fast car like an F8X or even a 991 GT car. But even the GT cars with sticks have auto rev matching and no lift shift.

No, but how it's driven. You change gears with a paddle, or with the shifter. There's no clutch pedal. If you gave someone both without any prior knowledge, the only thing they might say is that one car shifts smoother. In a sense of driving experience, you can conflate them as pseudo auto-boxes.

[M3 2K3]

I am looking for a reputable shop to preform my 03 M3 SMG to manual conversion. Does anyone have recommendations

[mtpktz]

I am looking for a reputable shop to preform my 03 M3 SMG to manual conversion. Does anyone have recommendations

Where are you located? If you're in the TX area, George Hill knows these cars very well and his shop Hill Performance Bimmers has a great reputation.

https://www.instagram.com/hillperformancebimmers/

[9kracing]

This is in the Bay Area, CA, so I'd imagine this is on the high end for pricing. However I also supplied some parts.

[sapote]

This is in the Bay Area, CA, so I'd imagine this is on the high end for pricing. However I also supplied some parts.

What is "SMG swap kit"? They charged $500 for bellhousing mod, so what is the said kit?

[9kracing]

I'm not sure TBH. I assumed it was all the ancillary parts needed for the swap, ie bolts, gaskets, pedals, etc