Average cost for SMG to manual conversion

[Kipjames3]

I was at a shop down the road a coolant hose refresh and the guy told me they had done a 6MT swap and was about $6k. Thought that seemed quite high

That seems to be the going rate, maybe a little on the higher end. I was quoted $4,5k - $6k in the DMV area. Lower end was a shop that's done a few and higher end was a shop that's done over 100 (Kassel in PA).

[psnowm3]

I was at a shop down the road a coolant hose refresh and the guy told me they had done a 6MT swap and was about $6k. Thought that seemed quite high

[Cube]

Hi All,

I am looking for a shop to do my swap here in the Atlanta area. Does anyone know any good shops for this? I got one quote for $6100 and one for $4000.

Planning to go with the $4k but wanted to ask around a bit first.

Thanks all!

[9kracing]

Check out SV Bimmer

https://svbimmer.com/

[M3 2K3]

I am located in the Northern California Bay Area looking for a good shop to make my conversion

[9kracing]

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

[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]

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.

[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/

[M3 2K3]

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

[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.

[Icecream]

Ok "icecream".

I think my sarcasm button is broken.

[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.

[jet_dogg]

I consider you a poo c.

Anyone that equates manual driving with manliness is confused lol.

Ok "icecream".

[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.