Is a Manual Transmission Swap Worth It?

So far we’ve beat the absolute crap out of our new e36 BUT the automatic transmission is kinda ruining the party for us. So today we are turning our family automatic sedan into... well still a family sedan with a cooler shift stick. Was it all worth it???

Money Pit is where you get to learn about cars as we work on them. Each ep we’ll breakdown how each component works and then we’ll upgrade it. Join us in our journey to build cool cars, learn about them, and drive the crap out of them!

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Donut Media is at the center of digital media for the next generation of automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. We are drivers, drifters, and car enthusiasts who love to tell stories.

[Kabilibobers]

You guys should start adding a “time spend” counter. I’m curious to see how long all these projects take

[masondamato]

“i want a car that hasn’t been abused”
“why?”
“i want to abuse it”

[rowen]

Mad respect for not using a lift. This gives us a lot of confidence we need. Awesome work!!!

[dillonmiller]

I actually did this because of this video on a 2006 ford mustang, and it was my first big job. I did it while I was pulling the engine so it is not fully the same, but if you plan to tackle this I have some advice regardless. First, he isn't kidding when he says do your research, Take tons of videos and pictures of everything together, and as you take it apart, stay organized by keeping bolts in Baggies and marking on them what they go to. Now planning is key you're going to need too dedicate a lot of time to this especially if you're relatively new don't expect it to be done on a weekend Plan accordingly. Speaking of planning, order everything you need before you start the job you're going to be very annoyed that you wasted an entire week in the garage because you have to wait until the UPS gods deliver your aftermarket clutch line you desperately wanted. Biggest tip of all. If you're learning how to drive a manual try to stick to an oe style clutch when picking parts Try to stay away from 6 puck, or really aggressive stylings, you can go to stage twos to account for horsepower, but you're going to stall out so much at red lights trying to learn on a hyper aggressive design; ask me how I know. Other than that take pictures of your progress, and take pride in your ride I grin constantly as I im banging gears on the road It really is a riot.

[davidsavic]

I love how Zach always works on the ground with jack stands. Like, we know he has access to a lift, but he chooses to do it cowboy style because thats the shit most of us are doing. What a beauty.

[nathanjoseph]

Up to Speed on how Donut Media came to be please

[austinalaniz]

Is no one gonna talk about his magic hand at 16:08 when he tossed the razor blade at it and it just sticks!!!

[RenderBones]

that is so freaking cool. seems like the hardest part is having the tools necessary to do the job.

[mbinkalsubaey]

22:40 i love how no one talked about this legendary guy wearing a turkish hat

[skunch]

22:36 my man's rolling up in style

[shawngerman]

The only Manual Transmission swap I've ever done, or to be more accurate, helped a friend who had the mechanical experience, was on a 1981 XE Ford Falcon. The reverse gear in the stock 3 speed auto shat itself, and I managed to find a reconditioned 5 speed manual for a good price. We did it on ramps in my sloping driveway and took the whole weekend to finish, but it was the best thing done to that car. The 5 speed manual went like dream and the Falcon became a hell of a lot more fun to drive.

[bogdanpashchenko]

This is freaking amazing. I did not even think that would be even remotely possible without completely butchering half of the car. Great content, thanks!

[xx_UnLmTd_xx]

13:54
You know what im torquin' about?
Yeah that should be made into a t-shirt

[lostmuffin]

This was very relaxing to watch. Its nice to see a swap video where the process is just as important as the end result. The music was also very calming. Thank you guys.

[gypsyjay]

I love the fact that your showing yourself doing this on the ground as most of us would be doing with no hoist. Respect

[AngelTheOne]

22:37 Are we going to ignore the fact that Aladdin got out of his Silver Hyundai Sonata? Hahaha

[jasielcruz]

You guys should put the “episode” numbers on eat one of these money pit and since it’s a new car new “season”

[OneNoteScream]

“As easy as that” he says while the sweat drips down his back washing away whatever oil is on him. Hands destroyed but gives it a little tap enough for someone to see he has a bandage from probably either a tight spot cut or a breaking a bolt loose. What a man.

[HunterNapier]

This was a really nice format. Not full of clickbait crap, not super over produced but enough splices together with just enough tech info on the process to be watchable. More of this please.

[ItsNuxFury]

Zach is the perfect host for this content format. Dude is charming as hell and his enthusiasm and excitement for these project cars makes watching these episodes incredibly satisfying. My only complaint is that these episodes aren't an hour long!