Auto to manual swap, worth it?
 

I have a 1983 240D with power windows and sun roof, and it has an automatic transmission. I would really like to get a 5spd manual in it, but what i don't know, is if it is worth the time and effort to change it out. I found a 5spd for $200, but i'm not sure how much and where i can get the rest of the parts. If someone could point me in the right direction, that would be great :) im sure there was a post about this with directions and everything, i just can seem to find it :( Thanks for you help :D

ABSOLUTELY NOT.. you would never be happy with all the work you would have into that project.....
I hate that you got stuck on this deal, being new to MB and all... so I will reimburse you that $200 you have into that transmission... just email me....

i didn't buy it yet, and why would i not be happy with the work i put into it? I've had this car for about a year now, and i'm relaly starting to like it. From the little bits i have read, it seems like an easy enough job for me to tackle.

sounds like you are just after the 5spd transmission ;)

Me either! Just feel sorry for you ...

You could, at a minimum, double your money on that 5 speed in a day.

Actually, to answer your question, press the "search" button near the top right of the page, and enter "transmission swap". Doing that I found this thread, which will get you started: Transmission Swap

Without your car being standard in the first place it would be a big job without a donor car.. for pedals, hyd clutch, shifter , clutch,flywheel, adapter plate on the rear of the engine...
So it really might be better to double your money and look for a donor car... which, with a blown engine , for instance might be found for the price you can get for the 5 speed from someone who already has a manual trans car....

My mechanic did it!!
 

Actually my mechanic did that to his 1983 300D TurboDiesel. He used the 4-speed but I don't know all the details. If you want I could get you his number.

Yeah it's possible but you don't want to attempt this without a complete donor CAR, not just the tranny. And IMO it is absolutely NOT worth it. I'm with leathermang on this one. Buy a manual tranny car if you want a manual. Especially since the 240D was available with a stick in the first place!

It makes more sense if you have a car you totally love and really, REALLY want a stick shift, and are willing to for over $1-2k for the complete conversion. Rumor is that on turbocharged engines, the results are less than desireable due to the fact that boost drops every time you let off the pedal to shift... MB put autos behind them for a reason. This doesn't apply to the 240 of course but thought I'd mention it for others reading this...

My plan was to get the transmission now and do everything over the summer. Ammount of work is not a issuie, i really want to do this, the only constraint would be how much it would cost, and if i can get the transmission for $200 and find a donor car around here, i should be ok. I'm going to take a look at the local junk yards to see if i can find a donor car. I would just use the transmission from it, but if i can get a 5spd, why not? :) oh and thanks for that link, i'm in the process of reading it now.

Thanks to Ridge, he has spelled out everything needed with
a reply to "slipping trans and a long way from home" which
is currently on page 4. There is another related thread at
the top of page 3. Of course you still could use a donor car
but many of the how to's have been covered.
Alternatively, you could save your bucks for a manual trans
car such as the 240d or Euro 300d, neither came with a turbo
but that is something I can live without.
(won't be missed in stop and go traffic)

Please post the persons phone no with the five speed;). I feel the need to talk to him. All kidding aside - BUY IT IMMEDIATELY FOR $200!!!!!!!! I'll give you $300 for it right now if it is a good transmission.

Thats what i was contacting him about, i want to see if its good before i go out on a limb and spend $200 on something that doesnt work. i'll let you know if i'm going to buy it or not, and if i don't ill be sure to post all the relevant infomation on how to get it :) I think i'm going to take your suggestions. I'll see if i can find a manual car locally and sell my auto. I have a few things left to do on it, like fix the speakers and stereo, and fix the vaccum pump. My auto door locking system doesnt work, and i think i have a bad vaccum pump becuase it also takes a bit of force on the brake pedal to keep the car stopped at idle. Does anyone know if a place like autozone or pep boys will have a vaccum pressure guage? i heard someome talking about a mighty vac (not sure if thats what its called). Thanks for your help and suggestions :)