If you get some value out of this video, either education, or entertainment, please give it a share. The better this does, the more likely I can do more things just like this again LOL
Great job Charles, really enjoy your vids. BTW, I'm surprised at how minimal the oil leaks are on that engine with over 200K. My wifes Q5 3.2L with 175K leaks from every sealing joint. Lol..
can take all the gearbox/Transmission all at once as box stays on centre shaft i know how heavy the box is as i changed mine on jackstands on my lonesome , never again
I likely, hell-won't ever, be doing a trans swap on an Audi but I watched every minute of this video and enjoyed it. Charles, you have one of the best channels on TH-cam. Your humor and explanation of how things should, or should not, be done are perfect. Looking forward to you next video.
@@HumbleMechanic the title could probably be written better, it’s a long video just to find out if swapping to manual is worth it. “S4 dsg to manual swap in less than 5 hours for $600?!” Something like that creates intrigue and makes the length of the video worth investing time in to. Two parts might help to, or even 3.. I’m fine with long videos but it does put some people off. Great video nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it x
@@HumbleMechanic I'm liking the video but it took me a week or so to sit down and be ready to spend this long on a YT video. I generally like YT because it's typically shorter than TV shows or movies and I tend to not have very long block of free time at once.
The last time I did a trans swap was auto to manual on a Volvo. It was nowhere near as complex as this, but still a fair bit of work. Great video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
So much awesomeness (showing so much intelligence, hard work, knowledge, and experience) packed into this, thank you so much for this amazing content for the B8/8.5 platform. Huge respect for you to not only make this happen but to also explain all the details showing all the steps. I suppose this is not just about S4 but can probably help the owners of all those DL501 DSG (S4/S5/RS5/S6/S7 from 2009-2017) Audi owners who might ever want to swap their transmission instead of maintaining their DSG going forward. Just wish your shop could swap my S5 Sportsback (not in US) which never come with MT, but RS5/S6/S7 MT builds should be super sick for enthusiasts. This video totally deserves as much view as possible and more people supporting mechanics (hopefully with donation or sponsorship) with these kind of attempts and content. Now that you covered all those manual swap questions, here's some ideas that might interest the same crowd: 1) racing parts sourcing and reviews (eg. clutch pack, headlights, brakes); 2) collaboration with shops in other countries so more people can do the same. Hope you can do more things like this again, giving my first ever Super Thanks!
About a year ago - I wrote some comments in this channel on how here in Latvia, I''ve used my un-original VCDS from Aliexpress - to do everything on my 2008 Allroad 3.0 TDI - and how everything has been working flawlessly, meaning, the EPB, the lighting/rain sensor/DPF/EGR coding, etc, etc, etc. The comment was deleted. I then typed how puzzled I was about the comments being deleted - and even that was deleted. Since then - I don't think that the HumbleMechanic is necessarily HUMBLE - or a good mechanic (there's this thing called right to repair - I've heard about it in Latvia - most good mechanics have probably heard about in the US as well). SInce the time my comments were deleted on this channel - about an un-original VCDS that I use - I cannot watch the channel - because the guy seems to be supporting the wrong side of the DIY "industry". Good luck on to your way of becoming actually HUMBLE.
I'm on 6 by the end. 6 times I said to myself "hell no!", like working under the dash. I do appreciate seeing it, although not that difficult the "why?" question takes it all out. Also few things that went through my spine, like the junk blocking the drain, I have enough VAG experience to know that you have to check it twice a year to avoid floating control modules or weird smells. All in all, great job! Unnecessary, but great!
I swapped my ‘05 GTI and I’d say it’s the best money I’ve ever spent in terms of fun factor. Fired up and drove first try - was the biggest relief of my life. Awesome video! This is definitely a more involved job than my car was!
@@socialising6037 Apologies. From auto to manual is easier than from manual to auto. The former needs to remove more (for example oil cooler lines, ECT, ...) while the latter needs to install and code these things
What I appreciate the most about you Charles (among many talents and skills), is how positive you are throughout your videos while working on Audi/VW products... I giggled when you were removing skid plates, practically the first step, and you mention the 700 different fastener types... You AINT LYIN...
Very happy I bought my B8.5 S4 with a 6speed swap already done at the factory 😅 That's some involving work Charles! Great video and I laughed a bunch too 🍻
As I watched this video I laugh because this is nearly the exact process when I manual swapped my B5.5 W8 Passat. Watching you do it in one video shows in depth how much had to be swapped over. Crazy to think how similar the cars are and how well VW/Audi set up their cars for the future.
I have a regular 1.9 TDI C5 but with a 500k CVT :D Been considering this the day I got it. Manuals with better interior spec etc are rare. I guess easier to swap the interior to some...
Just got done having a 2014 DSG installed into my 2010. I pressed many places for a manual swap but I think it was just too much to be worth it. Costed 6k with parts and labor to swap in a b8.5 trans. Would’ve easily exceeded 10-12k to do this swap you just did with a shop. This is only worth it if you hate money or have the ability to do it yourself and have a lift. Doing it on stands is doable but it would be hell and would probably make you resent the car after the job is done. Great video as always. This is most in depth by far!
Not so true...I did the swap on my e36 bmw in my single car garage while she was in winter storage. It was nice to be able to just "walk away" when I would get aggravated.
True inspiration really. When I think about some of the small issues I put off with my car (mk 1 Audi TT) then I see these videos and everything you talk on, I’m ashamed. Always gets me back to work.
Loved this video and the personality you put into your videos/work. Nothing I'd ever attempt in a million years, but fun to watch an expert pull it off. One more regret you could add to the list at the end--not making Paul suffer throu--err, do some of this work with you. 🤣
A master craftsman has the ability to make a job appear to be easier than it is and to efficiently remove any obstacles that may arise. IMHO, you easily meet this criteria.
Doing a manual conversion on cars are similar overall with a couple differences as expected. Is it worth the time and money???......if you are having fun and enjoying the car more, of course it's worth it 👍👍
Bmw's pre 2006 are EASY to swap and def NOT one of those German brands. Best decision I ever made was swapping a manual into my e36 when the auto crapped the bed
Commenting for the algorithm. That looked... mind bogglingly complicated. I think you're really underselling it describing it as "not too bad." Humble indeed! 😁
Most jobs are doable when you got the right tools, the right equipment, the right knowledge/experience and most importantly the right amount of beard 😂
Man.. this brings back nostalgia when i did the same swap on my A4 b6 four years ago. It was relatively easy, took two days, and had the biggest smile afterwards having 6 speed AWD. Regardless if the car already existed with one. Everything is buttoned up nicely, no codes or warnings. TONS of fun in the snow and dirt.
doing a manual swap on one of the cars i own and being able to daily drive it is on my bucket list. i don't own an audi and not planning on buying one soon but your video on this swap had me glued to the screen the whole time, i can't believe 50 minutes went by that fast!
If a manual swap is on ur bucket list,get an e36 bmw. They were made as a manual from the factory unless someone got the automatic transmission option. So everything is in place or made for the manual. Like the master cylinder reservoir has a nipple where the clutch is supposed to go,so just cutting the end off and putting the hose on is necessary.
I just watched this for a second time, looking for something to pass time while on the exercise bike. 50 minutes just flew by. Without doubt, THE channel to visit when looking for mechanical shenanigans, presented in a no nonsense light hearted but ultimately very satisfying way. Thanks again Charles, and don’t stop doing what you do! Greetings from Scotland!
A while back I entertained the idea of manual swapping my 2011 A3 TDI. This video confirms I made the right choice in not swapping it. I'm a DIY'er and can't imagine doing this.
I wish I had someone like this in my life.. It's so good to be friends with Mechanic's like this.. I am friendly with some people who cut me brakes, But I would love to have a Real friend with a lift... I am too old for jack stands in the drive way anymore.. So Now I just handle basic's like brakes and oil changes myself.. God I wish I had a garage and a lift in it..
That is some of the most insane wiring I have ever seen in a car. That part made my head hurt. Everything is just packed into its space in them as well.
I've just bought an A5 with 3.2 V6 6 speed! I like it but geez Luiz, timing chains are at back of motor, awd, this thing is most complicated car I worked on! Seeing your channel is very encouraging, maybe I'll keep her. I coming from an e46. So this channel is like a breath of fresh air.
As a sewist I was hollering when I saw him using what I call the sewing thread buster on the "hose housing" thingy, as I do not remember the name 🤔 at the moment. This man lets me remember many years ago when I use to help my uncle work on the cars in his shop. After over 20+ years I can still remember certain stuff. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thank you Mr Charles. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THIS. And I also learn from your repairs as I own a 2010 Polo tdi and can see and understand the similarities. 😉 I knoooow that most would not get it, but I am sure you do. 😌
Again, Charles - superb video!! Great photography, excellent audio, and the biggest win: By far, yours continue to be the best-edited car how-to videos to slow down and show details (with great lighting and focus) where needed, while also skipping / FFW-ing past the simple/repetitive stuff. 👍 Having done a few Mk4 TDI auto-to-manual swaps, I've always been curious if the process was do-able in newer cars...and this showed that indeed, it is roughly the same, just a little "more" of everything.
If you are familiar with SMG in early 2000's Bmws mine failed, spent money to fix it, failed again. Finally I swapped it to manual and had a blast driving from Seattle to Portland, definitely worth the coin to never have the issue again.
Charles always doing the amazing things that make people think 'Huh, that doesn't look too hard. I could do that'....no realizing he's a VW master mechanic and instructor. Although he is very good and informative as well as entertaining. I watch and I hate VW and Audi
I enjoy watching your videos as they are by the book. Your attention to detail is unmatched. This video was a lot of do as I say and not as I do. Its different from all the other videos you do. Either way Keep it up! I look forward to seeing more of your content
It’s good when you hear professionals using the same hack as you I filled a engine mount on my fiat with no more nails while waiting for the new one only for a week though
I bought an Audi A3 quattro (8p) brand new.... they were only available in AWD with a DSG. I manual swapped it a few years ago, and it was difficult, but easier than I thought it would be. The hardest thing was wiring... the Bentley had like 4 different diagrams because for the 8p there were 4 different versions of the relay module depending on what you had (BPY, 3.2, TSI) and I needed to tie into that for the reverse lights to work. I also had to figure out which wires on the DSG harness did the reverse lights and cruise control, and there were also 3 different versions of that wiring diagram. Once I did it though... so glad I did. I think it's still the only AWD 6 speed A3 in North America, although not for long. There's two guys on the forums that I've given a bunch of information to that are doing it. It was a cool learning process, but I wish Audi would just offer more options from the factory.
Well done on your swap, sounds like an absolute mission. I will probably be driving my VW until the end of my days, as it is essentially impossible to get an MT in any model anymore (and I'm not even in the US). DSG's are not enjoyable to drive, they break, they cost the earth to repair (replace, more likely) & you pay more initially for the car just to have the privilege of one.
I did a manual to manual swap on a Jetta TDI 2006. Took me a Saturday late evening and the daylight Sunday. I did not change the clutch neither. Was much easier because I had to less steps and no adaptation. The real pain was to install the driver side transaxle without removing suspension parts... I am not mechanic, I am a nurse...
When you realize, after committing to it, that you will have to torn the whole car apart… and hope you haven’t missing a thing when mounting it back… Nicely done ! Truly entertaining for sure (new subscriber here) Though, it reminds me, never get near an automatic car…
I have a MY12 Lancer Ralliart with the SST (DSG) and contemplating a manual swap. I build prototype EVs for a day job so i have the skills. This does inspire me.
Good Lord. I just did a manual swap into my FC RX-7 and I thought *that* was a PITA. I can see I got off easy. This was thoroughly enjoyable to watch...thanks for making me feel like I'm not completely nuts for doing mine!
Marvelous work. Only thing I don't get is putting 5A rated slow fuse in front of 1ft 24awg wire. It's useful as much as an ashtray on a bike. This wire start to heat up after 3.5A and will cause insulator to decay before fuse kicks in.
Absolutely! If you want to make your S4, which you presumably bought for luxury and performance, to be slower, thirstier, dirtier, and less luxurious. -B8.5 and B9 S4 owner.
Just bought an B8 with hopefully just a bad Trans harness going to replace it this weekend so we will see if I need to follow this swap lol. Always a pleasure watching your videos!
You can jump a 12v battery pack(cordless tool) to the power lead on wiring harness under the seat. Pretty simple operation if you’re in a pinch and absolutely needed the seat to move.
In the end is still cheaper than replacing a DSG gearbox. I liked the whole video. If the car was just FwD or just RWD swaps are easier, but Quattro is little more complex. I’m also watching a kid in Argentina that swapped a Audi VR6 into a Gol, then a 6 speed Passat Quattro gearbox into it, for later on making it AWD.
Always love the videos! Could watch for hours. It’s nice to see how things work and not having to have it all broken on the driveway with no idea of what to do feelings as it’s all on your videos!
I have a 1997 Corolla AE111 with a 2nd Gen 4A-FE which had an automatic transmission, I bought a Toyota C160-12C 6 speed manual transmission which came with a factory helical lsd from a AE111 Corolla Levin 20V Blacktop and I can say I have never been happier in traffic jams. The gear whine from the lsd makes it worth every penny, it now gets 25km/L on highways and 600+km on 40L with mixed driving if I can keep my foot off the pedal 🤣 I would say getting a manual swap is only for those who know and can really appreciate what they want. Go for it my brothers we are the last of the dying breed!
Mann Charles you a great mechanic, The Mechanic God, I do hope you have an apprentice to teach and carry the skill along with your name.. I wish there were Guys like you existed in the Caribbean island of St Kitts. 🇰🇳
32:15 The "extended part" is called a key. The entire connector is a "keyed connector" and it's done to ensure orientation. Fun fact: most people call the connector on your patch/ethernet/network/drop cables RJ45 connectors. They're actually not. Those connectors on your network cables are technically 8P8C (8 position, 8 contact) connectors (or modular plugs). The real RJ45 connectors are keyed and not used outside the telecom industry (AFAIK). It makes sense that the origin of the ethernet cable's connector is the RJ45 connector though, as Bob Metcalf (the co-inventor of the Ethernet physical and protocol standard) used RJ45 jacks initially as that was what was available. Well, technically it was David Boggs that selected the connector IIRC.
Man...after watching this I look back on my e36 bmw swap and am thankful how easy it was. Plus now I have a CLEAN,not beat on e36...that I can't drive now because I'm a felon that NO ONE will hire
For a person who doesn't like automatic transmission cars this is satisfying. I'll probably never buy a car with an automatic transmission or electric e brake!
Im litterally in the middle of this with a 12v vr6 auto to 6speed and everything besides the wiring I was able to do. Finding correct wiring diagrams is tuff and trying to understand it w 0 knowledge is even worse but this just made me want to finish it off and get that first start going
Amazing job 👌🏻 You are real expert in all categories, so mechanics, wiring and coding 👌🏻 and here is what is possible with this knowlage/skills. Amazing 👌🏻
This video could be 49min 30 sec shorter if you just said "buy a manual car".... I jest....a bit. Great video, a lot of time and effort went into making this a thing and I appreciate it.
I love this! I've done a manual swap on a Honda accord using an Acura tl doner car cost me 900 and about 1000 in parts and other things to refresh the car. The physical swap was easier and didn't require coding but the wiring was about the same repinning and adding a few wires switching out pedals and things. For the v6 accords especially the pre-2007 accords doing a manual swap is worth it as the automatic transmissions aren't known to be reliable. And you can spend more than that keeping the car automatic. It's been 3 years Since then I've manual swapped another Acura tl and I think my next project will be manual swapping a vw jetta. Another reason to manual swap is you can find a clean chassis that is automatic for much less than manual chassis. In some cars.
Awesome work here Charles! I wonder if this has ever been done in a cabrio. It’s not available from the factory with a manual so that would be unique. I’d love to do this on my B8 A5 cabriolet.
Awesome to see it up and running so smoothly! Glad I could help with my coding. I'm glad you share my same view on wiring, lol. Somehow it's therapeutic! Maybe because it makes us feel smart lmao
im swapping my beetle from auto to 6 speed and theres certainly more wiring for me to rip out and i spent hours slowly unwrapping the harness in the engine bay to squeeze the extra wiring out and im definitely going to nab a seam ripper to finish off the harness work.
I'm very glad I didn't attempt this swap, the B8 S4 only came to Australia in DSG (for some reason). The B8 S4 DSG being so problematic threw me off so I ended up getting an R36 Wagon instead. There's one B8.5 S4 that's known about in manual that was a NZ import in the entire country.
Absolutely loving the content you and mr. DAP create! Thanks for sharing your manual swap with us. I have entertained the idea of manual swapping my Q5 3.0T using s4 components. I dont think the Q5 chasis ever came with an option for a manual... do you believe s4 manual hardware you used would work and what would possibly be some issues I would need to face that could be different?
It's pretty irritating to manual swap nowadays because every module has to talk to every other module, and without the modules being wired and programmed to recognize the manual trans, it's gonna be warning light city. I'm very impressed you pulled this off so quickly. It's nice seeing a car that otherwise would have been written off getting a new lease on life, even if it is a rolling meme.
This is one of the easiest cars from an electronics stand point since it comes with a manual. You literally tell the car that there is no auto and for the engine to behave like it has a manual behind it. Everything else is programmed and ready to accept a manual tranny.
Finally, someone brave enough to do the swap on the B8 chassis, I've been ordering parts for over 7 months just to do this and now figuring out its actually possible saves the major heart ache I had about doing this swap. What did you use to figure out all the coding. I have VCDS and know my way around it decently but still wondering what "screenshot' you were referring to for the manual coding.
I'd suggest finding a tuner that specializes in audi will just flash ur ecu. For my e36 bmw I used kassel performance,luckily they were in the same state as me so I just took them the ecu and they flashed it to what a manual car would have had. Then again I could also just open my ecu and pop out the auto transmission module to get the car moving,but if I wanted it to pass inspection I had to get it coded
@@TechTokOffical so ive seen people recode the automatic ecu on the b8 chassis to manual with no problem, i have vcds and a small guide on what to do but im not exactly sure what to recode, plus no one near me specializes in tuning german cars so big bummer for me
As someone with a b5.5 swapped manual Passat the top right bell housing bolt is the worst to remove. Doing clutch job it took a good bit of creativity to get off.
I might get my hands on a V12 Audi Q7 in January, and I've been contacting mechanics to see if they'd be willing/able to help me manual swap it. The prospect of having a V12 daily is just to delicious of a proposition to pass up. I was teetering on the precipice of doubt, thinking it might not be worth it, but this video has reignited my desire for the manual swap! Thank ye kindly!
@@andries4561 Hear hear - especially if it hasn't been maintained properly. I feel like the car has to be mechanically sound well before I even consider doing the swap.
If you get some value out of this video, either education, or entertainment, please give it a share. The better this does, the more likely I can do more things just like this again LOL
You've done well! Now go enjoy your Christmas with the fam! See you next year for the TT build! 😀
@@danieloshaughnessy8476 HAHA Thank you! The TT build is high priority
Great job Charles, really enjoy your vids. BTW, I'm surprised at how minimal the oil leaks are on that engine with over 200K. My wifes Q5 3.2L with 175K leaks from every sealing joint. Lol..
can take all the gearbox/Transmission all at once as box stays on centre shaft i know how heavy the box is as i changed mine on jackstands on my lonesome , never again
Shared with a few enthusiasts!
I likely, hell-won't ever, be doing a trans swap on an Audi but I watched every minute of this video and enjoyed it. Charles, you have one of the best channels on TH-cam. Your humor and explanation of how things should, or should not, be done are perfect. Looking forward to you next video.
Thank you so much! That means the world. Im feeling kinda meh as this video sin't doing as well as id hoped. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
@@HumbleMechanic Love the video but it is too long for average viewer. I would split into 2 parts. Taking stuff apart and putting back together.
@@HumbleMechanic the title could probably be written better, it’s a long video just to find out if swapping to manual is worth it. “S4 dsg to manual swap in less than 5 hours for $600?!” Something like that creates intrigue and makes the length of the video worth investing time in to. Two parts might help to, or even 3.. I’m fine with long videos but it does put some people off. Great video nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it x
The older Audis are much easier. Such as the B5 A4 or S4. 94-02
@@HumbleMechanic I'm liking the video but it took me a week or so to sit down and be ready to spend this long on a YT video. I generally like YT because it's typically shorter than TV shows or movies and I tend to not have very long block of free time at once.
The last time I did a trans swap was auto to manual on a Volvo. It was nowhere near as complex as this, but still a fair bit of work. Great video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm looking for an old 240 to do this very thing. I'm glad it wasn't this involved, gives me hope.
'90 Mustang for me, pretty simple swap, except for having to remove the transmission again because I forgot to install the pilot bearing.
So much awesomeness (showing so much intelligence, hard work, knowledge, and experience) packed into this, thank you so much for this amazing content for the B8/8.5 platform. Huge respect for you to not only make this happen but to also explain all the details showing all the steps. I suppose this is not just about S4 but can probably help the owners of all those DL501 DSG (S4/S5/RS5/S6/S7 from 2009-2017) Audi owners who might ever want to swap their transmission instead of maintaining their DSG going forward. Just wish your shop could swap my S5 Sportsback (not in US) which never come with MT, but RS5/S6/S7 MT builds should be super sick for enthusiasts. This video totally deserves as much view as possible and more people supporting mechanics (hopefully with donation or sponsorship) with these kind of attempts and content. Now that you covered all those manual swap questions, here's some ideas that might interest the same crowd: 1) racing parts sourcing and reviews (eg. clutch pack, headlights, brakes); 2) collaboration with shops in other countries so more people can do the same.
Hope you can do more things like this again, giving my first ever Super Thanks!
THNKA YOU SO MUCH!!!
@@HumbleMechanic really are humble idk if id be so excited over 8 bucks xD
About a year ago - I wrote some comments in this channel on how here in Latvia, I''ve used my un-original VCDS from Aliexpress - to do everything on my 2008 Allroad 3.0 TDI - and how everything has been working flawlessly, meaning, the EPB, the lighting/rain sensor/DPF/EGR coding, etc, etc, etc. The comment was deleted. I then typed how puzzled I was about the comments being deleted - and even that was deleted. Since then - I don't think that the HumbleMechanic is necessarily HUMBLE - or a good mechanic (there's this thing called right to repair - I've heard about it in Latvia - most good mechanics have probably heard about in the US as well). SInce the time my comments were deleted on this channel - about an un-original VCDS that I use - I cannot watch the channel - because the guy seems to be supporting the wrong side of the DIY "industry". Good luck on to your way of becoming actually HUMBLE.
The people who created VCDS need to eat, if u running fong kong u r not supporting the development of the tool.
I'm on 6 by the end. 6 times I said to myself "hell no!", like working under the dash. I do appreciate seeing it, although not that difficult the "why?" question takes it all out. Also few things that went through my spine, like the junk blocking the drain, I have enough VAG experience to know that you have to check it twice a year to avoid floating control modules or weird smells. All in all, great job! Unnecessary, but great!
great advice, check the VAG at least 2x yearly to avoid weird smell!
@@drowebd twice a year.......?
I swapped my ‘05 GTI and I’d say it’s the best money I’ve ever spent in terms of fun factor. Fired up and drove first try - was the biggest relief of my life.
Awesome video! This is definitely a more involved job than my car was!
Is it easier to go from manual to dsg or dsg to manual
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@@socialising6037 what do you think?
@@dokterkarel I'm a builder that's what I think
@@socialising6037 Apologies. From auto to manual is easier than from manual to auto. The former needs to remove more (for example oil cooler lines, ECT, ...) while the latter needs to install and code these things
What I appreciate the most about you Charles (among many talents and skills),
is how positive you are throughout your videos while working on Audi/VW products...
I giggled when you were removing skid plates, practically the first step, and you mention the 700 different fastener types... You AINT LYIN...
Wish I can swap my VW GTI with Manual as yours. Nothing wrong with it..but still the amount of connecting you get with your car is simply next level.
I think the GTI would be about the same work. There was a lot of things I could have skipped like EPB module and reverse lights.
Very happy I bought my B8.5 S4 with a 6speed swap already done at the factory 😅 That's some involving work Charles! Great video and I laughed a bunch too 🍻
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As I watched this video I laugh because this is nearly the exact process when I manual swapped my B5.5 W8 Passat. Watching you do it in one video shows in depth how much had to be swapped over. Crazy to think how similar the cars are and how well VW/Audi set up their cars for the future.
I have a regular 1.9 TDI C5 but with a 500k CVT :D Been considering this the day I got it. Manuals with better interior spec etc are rare. I guess easier to swap the interior to some...
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Just got done having a 2014 DSG installed into my 2010. I pressed many places for a manual swap but I think it was just too much to be worth it. Costed 6k with parts and labor to swap in a b8.5 trans. Would’ve easily exceeded 10-12k to do this swap you just did with a shop. This is only worth it if you hate money or have the ability to do it yourself and have a lift. Doing it on stands is doable but it would be hell and would probably make you resent the car after the job is done. Great video as always. This is most in depth by far!
Not so true...I did the swap on my e36 bmw in my single car garage while she was in winter storage. It was nice to be able to just "walk away" when I would get aggravated.
True inspiration really. When I think about some of the small issues I put off with my car (mk 1 Audi TT) then I see these videos and everything you talk on, I’m ashamed. Always gets me back to work.
YES!! I did a manual swap on my allroad. Surprisingly easy and very well documented.
Loved this video and the personality you put into your videos/work. Nothing I'd ever attempt in a million years, but fun to watch an expert pull it off. One more regret you could add to the list at the end--not making Paul suffer throu--err, do some of this work with you. 🤣
LOL
A master craftsman has the ability to make a job appear to be easier than it is and to efficiently remove any obstacles that may arise. IMHO, you easily meet this criteria.
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So satisfying to watch your work, it looks incredibly easy until I see that you have to basically re-fabricate 1/3 of the engine bay 😂
haha A few wires and we good to roll!
With enough time, money, and tenacity, very few things are impossible.
Thank for you doing the Lord’s work and putting an elite transmission back into this absolute beast of a car!
Doing a manual conversion on cars are similar overall with a couple differences as expected. Is it worth the time and money???......if you are having fun and enjoying the car more, of course it's worth it 👍👍
EXACTLY!!!
Loved my B8 S4 manual. You're not going to regret all of the hard work necessary for this swap!
Nice video, Charles.... you convinced many of us (manual fanatics) that playing with certain german brands are not worth it. What a cluster funk!
Bmw's pre 2006 are EASY to swap and def NOT one of those German brands. Best decision I ever made was swapping a manual into my e36 when the auto crapped the bed
Commenting for the algorithm. That looked... mind bogglingly complicated. I think you're really underselling it describing it as "not too bad." Humble indeed! 😁
LOL It was easier than I was expecting
Most jobs are doable when you got the right tools, the right equipment, the right knowledge/experience and most importantly the right amount of beard 😂
hahahahah FACTS!!
Man.. this brings back nostalgia when i did the same swap on my A4 b6 four years ago. It was relatively easy, took two days, and had the biggest smile afterwards having 6 speed AWD. Regardless if the car already existed with one. Everything is buttoned up nicely, no codes or warnings. TONS of fun in the snow and dirt.
I absolutely love your videos! The pacing, the knowledge, the awesome camera shots and narration is just top of the line! Keep it going!
thank you!!!!
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Great video! I’ve done many engine swaps on 80s and 90s VWs and Audis. Having said that…NOPE!!!
doing a manual swap on one of the cars i own and being able to daily drive it is on my bucket list. i don't own an audi and not planning on buying one soon but your video on this swap had me glued to the screen the whole time, i can't believe 50 minutes went by that fast!
If a manual swap is on ur bucket list,get an e36 bmw. They were made as a manual from the factory unless someone got the automatic transmission option. So everything is in place or made for the manual. Like the master cylinder reservoir has a nipple where the clutch is supposed to go,so just cutting the end off and putting the hose on is necessary.
I loved my manual S4. Mine was a 2010. I put about 60,000 miles on it before getting rid of it. Really loved how the car felt.
I just watched this for a second time, looking for something to pass time while on the exercise bike. 50 minutes just flew by. Without doubt, THE channel to visit when looking for mechanical shenanigans, presented in a no nonsense light hearted but ultimately very satisfying way. Thanks again Charles, and don’t stop doing what you do! Greetings from Scotland!
I really appreciate the simplicity and design decisions of Subarus after watching your videos.
That was the best 49 minutes of television I've seen in a long time.
A while back I entertained the idea of manual swapping my 2011 A3 TDI. This video confirms I made the right choice in not swapping it. I'm a DIY'er and can't imagine doing this.
Took me a while to figure out the brake booster bolts held the pedal assembly in place when I did the manual conversion on my B5 S4.
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That sounds phenomenal! You just can’t beat a manual for driver feedback and involvement! You just feel more in control of what the car is doing.
Absolutely love this channel. I sold my Audi a few months ago to get back into a BMW but still watch every one of your videos.
I wish I had someone like this in my life.. It's so good to be friends with Mechanic's like this.. I am friendly with some people who cut me brakes, But I would love to have a Real friend with a lift... I am too old for jack stands in the drive way anymore.. So Now I just handle basic's like brakes and oil changes myself.. God I wish I had a garage and a lift in it..
This type of knowledge but also being very fun n like eye catching. Is a perfect example of how to get people to sign up.
That is some of the most insane wiring I have ever seen in a car. That part made my head hurt. Everything is just packed into its space in them as well.
I've just bought an A5 with 3.2 V6 6 speed! I like it but geez Luiz, timing chains are at back of motor, awd, this thing is most complicated car I worked on! Seeing your channel is very encouraging, maybe I'll keep her. I coming from an e46. So this channel is like a breath of fresh air.
All Hail Lifetime Audi Parts 🙌
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They are the best!!!
As a sewist I was hollering when I saw him using what I call the sewing thread buster on the "hose housing" thingy, as I do not remember the name 🤔 at the moment.
This man lets me remember many years ago when I use to help my uncle work on the cars in his shop. After over 20+ years I can still remember certain stuff. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you Mr
Charles. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THIS. And I also learn from your repairs as I own a 2010 Polo tdi and can see and understand the similarities. 😉
I knoooow that most would not get it, but I am sure you do. 😌
This video took me like five days to look at but I made it, like the brutal honesty at the end.
Badass video. Wiring is the tricky part. Doable job on a lift and suicidal on jack stands.
Again, Charles - superb video!! Great photography, excellent audio, and the biggest win: By far, yours continue to be the best-edited car how-to videos to slow down and show details (with great lighting and focus) where needed, while also skipping / FFW-ing past the simple/repetitive stuff. 👍
Having done a few Mk4 TDI auto-to-manual swaps, I've always been curious if the process was do-able in newer cars...and this showed that indeed, it is roughly the same, just a little "more" of everything.
If you are familiar with SMG in early 2000's Bmws mine failed, spent money to fix it, failed again. Finally I swapped it to manual and had a blast driving from Seattle to Portland, definitely worth the coin to never have the issue again.
Holy damn!!! I remember watching you when you had maybe 2k subs years ago. This video popped up and so awesome to see u doin this good bro!!!
Charles always doing the amazing things that make people think 'Huh, that doesn't look too hard. I could do that'....no realizing he's a VW master mechanic and instructor. Although he is very good and informative as well as entertaining. I watch and I hate VW and Audi
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I feel your pain at 13:03, I swapped a 2.0 auto mk4 gti to a 1.8t manual a few years back, and the pedal cluster was a nightmare, the rest wasn't bad
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Phenomenal install Charles. That was both an entertaining watch and super informative about the underpinnings of the B8.
Much appreciated!
That exhaust sounds really good.
I enjoy watching your videos as they are by the book. Your attention to detail is unmatched. This video was a lot of do as I say and not as I do. Its different from all the other videos you do. Either way Keep it up! I look forward to seeing more of your content
manual swapping a modern car, good stuff man!
This was awesome. I had an E38, and everything to do the swap to an E39 transmission but found it impossible in a 6’6” garage. Nice work
It’s good when you hear professionals using the same hack as you I filled a engine mount on my fiat with no more nails while waiting for the new one only for a week though
I always enjoyed my 5spd and 6spd mk5 and mk6 much more than dsg/auto ;]
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I bought an Audi A3 quattro (8p) brand new.... they were only available in AWD with a DSG. I manual swapped it a few years ago, and it was difficult, but easier than I thought it would be. The hardest thing was wiring... the Bentley had like 4 different diagrams because for the 8p there were 4 different versions of the relay module depending on what you had (BPY, 3.2, TSI) and I needed to tie into that for the reverse lights to work. I also had to figure out which wires on the DSG harness did the reverse lights and cruise control, and there were also 3 different versions of that wiring diagram. Once I did it though... so glad I did. I think it's still the only AWD 6 speed A3 in North America, although not for long. There's two guys on the forums that I've given a bunch of information to that are doing it. It was a cool learning process, but I wish Audi would just offer more options from the factory.
Well done on your swap, sounds like an absolute mission.
I will probably be driving my VW until the end of my days, as it is essentially impossible to get an MT in any model anymore (and I'm not even in the US).
DSG's are not enjoyable to drive, they break, they cost the earth to repair (replace, more likely) & you pay more initially for the car just to have the privilege of one.
I did a manual to manual swap on a Jetta TDI 2006. Took me a Saturday late evening and the daylight Sunday. I did not change the clutch neither.
Was much easier because I had to less steps and no adaptation. The real pain was to install the driver side transaxle without removing suspension parts...
I am not mechanic, I am a nurse...
now I drive a CVT Subaru; how much the CVT will last? It is worth to swap a manual transmission in when the CVT dies?
When you realize, after committing to it, that you will have to torn the whole car apart… and hope you haven’t missing a thing when mounting it back…
Nicely done ! Truly entertaining for sure (new subscriber here)
Though, it reminds me, never get near an automatic car…
Hahaha always a worry
I have a MY12 Lancer Ralliart with the SST (DSG) and contemplating a manual swap. I build prototype EVs for a day job so i have the skills. This does inspire me.
46:37 wow thanks i didnt know i needed a manual transmission for a manual transmission swap
all kidding aside great video
Good Lord. I just did a manual swap into my FC RX-7 and I thought *that* was a PITA. I can see I got off easy. This was thoroughly enjoyable to watch...thanks for making me feel like I'm not completely nuts for doing mine!
👆👆Great fan❤️, thanks for watching You have been selected among my shortlist winner's,Dm on WhatsApp above to acknowledge your prize 🎁🎁
Thought the ae thing bout my e36. Then again bmw put everything in place cuz they all came as manuals from the factory unless ordered with an auto.
Awesome video. Glad you weren't pancaked by that DSG.
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I manual swapped my Infiniti G35 this year, and wow is that way easier than this! At least you don’t have to drill any holes or cut anything.
Saying Nissans are easier to work on than VWs is not allowed around here! 😉
I learned the cardboard trick 20 years ago and it’s super awesome for lots of jobs
Marvelous work. Only thing I don't get is putting 5A rated slow fuse in front of 1ft 24awg wire. It's useful as much as an ashtray on a bike. This wire start to heat up after 3.5A and will cause insulator to decay before fuse kicks in.
Absolutely! If you want to make your S4, which you presumably bought for luxury and performance, to be slower, thirstier, dirtier, and less luxurious.
-B8.5 and B9 S4 owner.
Nice job Charles and good tip with the ear plugs they also work good for filling holes on an engine block before you paint.
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HumbleMechanic I wish I had as a neighbor in Germany. What a mad lad!
Just bought an B8 with hopefully just a bad Trans harness going to replace it this weekend so we will see if I need to follow this swap lol. Always a pleasure watching your videos!
You can jump a 12v battery pack(cordless tool) to the power lead on wiring harness under the seat. Pretty simple operation if you’re in a pinch and absolutely needed the seat to move.
This is amazing, I used to drive a manual b8 s4 -- amazing car, so I whole heartedly approve! Hope this video does well for you Charles
In the end is still cheaper than replacing a DSG gearbox. I liked the whole video. If the car was just FwD or just RWD swaps are easier, but Quattro is little more complex. I’m also watching a kid in Argentina that swapped a Audi VR6 into a Gol, then a 6 speed Passat Quattro gearbox into it, for later on making it AWD.
Is this the start of another exceptional build 😎😎😎👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
LOL Im about done with this car I think. Who knows. HAHA Audi content is hit or miss. So I have to see how views are to determine if its worth keeping
Always love the videos! Could watch for hours. It’s nice to see how things work and not having to have it all broken on the driveway with no idea of what to do feelings as it’s all on your videos!
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I have a 1997 Corolla AE111 with a 2nd Gen 4A-FE which had an automatic transmission, I bought a Toyota C160-12C 6 speed manual transmission which came with a factory helical lsd from a AE111 Corolla Levin 20V Blacktop and I can say I have never been happier in traffic jams. The gear whine from the lsd makes it worth every penny, it now gets 25km/L on highways and 600+km on 40L with mixed driving if I can keep my foot off the pedal 🤣
I would say getting a manual swap is only for those who know and can really appreciate what they want. Go for it my brothers we are the last of the dying breed!
Mann Charles you a great mechanic, The Mechanic God, I do hope you have an apprentice to teach and carry the skill along with your name.. I wish there were Guys like you existed in the Caribbean island of St Kitts. 🇰🇳
32:15 The "extended part" is called a key. The entire connector is a "keyed connector" and it's done to ensure orientation. Fun fact: most people call the connector on your patch/ethernet/network/drop cables RJ45 connectors. They're actually not. Those connectors on your network cables are technically 8P8C (8 position, 8 contact) connectors (or modular plugs). The real RJ45 connectors are keyed and not used outside the telecom industry (AFAIK). It makes sense that the origin of the ethernet cable's connector is the RJ45 connector though, as Bob Metcalf (the co-inventor of the Ethernet physical and protocol standard) used RJ45 jacks initially as that was what was available. Well, technically it was David Boggs that selected the connector IIRC.
Man...after watching this I look back on my e36 bmw swap and am thankful how easy it was. Plus now I have a CLEAN,not beat on e36...that I can't drive now because I'm a felon that NO ONE will hire
For a person who doesn't like automatic transmission cars this is satisfying. I'll probably never buy a car with an automatic transmission or electric e brake!
Im litterally in the middle of this with a 12v vr6 auto to 6speed and everything besides the wiring I was able to do. Finding correct wiring diagrams is tuff and trying to understand it w 0 knowledge is even worse but this just made me want to finish it off and get that first start going
Amazing job 👌🏻 You are real expert in all categories, so mechanics, wiring and coding 👌🏻 and here is what is possible with this knowlage/skills. Amazing 👌🏻
thank you!
This video could be 49min 30 sec shorter if you just said "buy a manual car"....
I jest....a bit. Great video, a lot of time and effort went into making this a thing and I appreciate it.
I love this! I've done a manual swap on a Honda accord using an Acura tl doner car cost me 900 and about 1000 in parts and other things to refresh the car. The physical swap was easier and didn't require coding but the wiring was about the same repinning and adding a few wires switching out pedals and things.
For the v6 accords especially the pre-2007 accords doing a manual swap is worth it as the automatic transmissions aren't known to be reliable. And you can spend more than that keeping the car automatic. It's been 3 years
Since then I've manual swapped another Acura tl and I think my next project will be manual swapping a vw jetta.
Another reason to manual swap is you can find a clean chassis that is automatic for much less than manual chassis. In some cars.
Awesome work here Charles! I wonder if this has ever been done in a cabrio. It’s not available from the factory with a manual so that would be unique. I’d love to do this on my B8 A5 cabriolet.
Heck yea
Echoing all the positive statements prior to this. Good on you Charles!
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Awesome to see it up and running so smoothly! Glad I could help with my coding. I'm glad you share my same view on wiring, lol. Somehow it's therapeutic! Maybe because it makes us feel smart lmao
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Wow what a well timed video. I’m currently manual swapping my 2008 A6 wagon. And dropping an s4 v8 in it
Watched the entire thing, about 10 min in I figured out that Ill def. just buy a manual S4 lol
If you can find one…….b8 was the last year and good luck finding someone who wants to part with it.
Same, I'm think it would be easier for him to put his good engine in the car that tranny came out of
im swapping my beetle from auto to 6 speed and theres certainly more wiring for me to rip out and i spent hours slowly unwrapping the harness in the engine bay to squeeze the extra wiring out and im definitely going to nab a seam ripper to finish off the harness work.
"We could spend a month here waiting for all of the fluid to drain out." I felt that.
I'm very glad I didn't attempt this swap, the B8 S4 only came to Australia in DSG (for some reason). The B8 S4 DSG being so problematic threw me off so I ended up getting an R36 Wagon instead.
There's one B8.5 S4 that's known about in manual that was a NZ import in the entire country.
Your channel is awesome, what a feeling it must be to make this conversation. Keep making videos 👍🏽
Absolutely loving the content you and mr. DAP create! Thanks for sharing your manual swap with us. I have entertained the idea of manual swapping my Q5 3.0T using s4 components. I dont think the Q5 chasis ever came with an option for a manual... do you believe s4 manual hardware you used would work and what would possibly be some issues I would need to face that could be different?
It's pretty irritating to manual swap nowadays because every module has to talk to every other module, and without the modules being wired and programmed to recognize the manual trans, it's gonna be warning light city. I'm very impressed you pulled this off so quickly. It's nice seeing a car that otherwise would have been written off getting a new lease on life, even if it is a rolling meme.
This is one of the easiest cars from an electronics stand point since it comes with a manual. You literally tell the car that there is no auto and for the engine to behave like it has a manual behind it. Everything else is programmed and ready to accept a manual tranny.
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Finally, someone brave enough to do the swap on the B8 chassis, I've been ordering parts for over 7 months just to do this and now figuring out its actually possible saves the major heart ache I had about doing this swap. What did you use to figure out all the coding. I have VCDS and know my way around it decently but still wondering what "screenshot' you were referring to for the manual coding.
I'd suggest finding a tuner that specializes in audi will just flash ur ecu. For my e36 bmw I used kassel performance,luckily they were in the same state as me so I just took them the ecu and they flashed it to what a manual car would have had. Then again I could also just open my ecu and pop out the auto transmission module to get the car moving,but if I wanted it to pass inspection I had to get it coded
@@TechTokOffical so ive seen people recode the automatic ecu on the b8 chassis to manual with no problem, i have vcds and a small guide on what to do but im not exactly sure what to recode, plus no one near me specializes in tuning german cars so big bummer for me
Really liked the seam ripper. I always learn a new trick here.
18:05 I'm going to get just that tool as a reminder for some of the projects I will never start.
What a monumental task to swap to a manual transmission on a modern vehicle!
Swapped an 02m into my ‘03 Jetta TDI. Best thing ever.
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As someone with a b5.5 swapped manual Passat the top right bell housing bolt is the worst to remove. Doing clutch job it took a good bit of creativity to get off.
I might get my hands on a V12 Audi Q7 in January, and I've been contacting mechanics to see if they'd be willing/able to help me manual swap it. The prospect of having a V12 daily is just to delicious of a proposition to pass up.
I was teetering on the precipice of doubt, thinking it might not be worth it, but this video has reignited my desire for the manual swap!
Thank ye kindly!
Please watch out, it could be an endless money pit
@@andries4561 Hear hear - especially if it hasn't been maintained properly. I feel like the car has to be mechanically sound well before I even consider doing the swap.
If you know my Channel, you know I am ALL about the Manual Swaps! lol just... on Mercedes AMG's. Great work and Video as always!