Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Parts list: ATX to MTX conversion - need help!

I know this has been probably beat to death before (I didn't find anything worth noting in the search) but I am considering this conversion sometime and putting together a list of parts. I am also figuring in aftermarket performance parts since it might be a good time to install. I figured with everyone contributing their varying knowledge we could come up with a pretty accurate and specific list. I'll list some parts and feel free to add/delete/correct and discuss. And any pics/diagrams you might have would help too

manual transaxle (aftermarket differential)
transaxle mount
transaxle mount bushings (aftermarket)
clutch (aftermarket)
flywheel (aftermarket)
clutch pedal
break pedal
shifter/boot/assembly
shift control linkage
slave cylinder
driver/passenger axles (different?)
PCM (different?)
hoses/lines/cables/wiring (can anyone provide a route for these?)

Any help?

That conversion will probably be easiest if you locate a car in a wrecking yard that still has everything in tact. That way, you can take pictures of how everything goes together and get all your parts from the same car.

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'98.5 Mystique GS ATX/re-contented door lights/K&N Filter/Energy Suspension Sway Bar Bushings/Mintex Street Pads/high-beam bulbs in low-beams/Pioneer DEH-P3100 receiver/Pioneer TS-A6855's in all doors/removed ding gaurds

what a funny conversion... taking an option and removing it to go back to something that is standard... hehe, good luck.

Title to car
Buyer
Used car on the lot

Itll probably cost you half as much money and headach to just go buy another car but a five speed.Its not EVEN going to be worth it,all kinds of things can and will go wrong!
Hell if you trade your car in on a used SVT,youll most likely be saving alot of money,plus getting the SVT package.
This is a very bad idea,belive me!

Donor car. The only way.

When you finally work it out. (money wise) It would probably be cheaper to just buy a MTX car to begin with...

I can get most of the parts at cost shipped to me if they are provided a list. I have a mechanic in the family that can help put this together. How can anyone say it's going to be more expensive if 1) no one has done it 2) no one knows exactly what parts are involved. I am sure it would be really expensive if you took it to the local bend-me-over shop and asked for the "funny" conversion with parts and labor. That's why I asked and that's what the purpose of the list was because I had already seen in the searches the typical "why didn't you get the manual in the first place?", "it costs too much", "sell car, buy manual car". The donor car has always been a good idea though. Oh well, add this thread to the list.

Mark,

Here are the economic realities.

To a car dealer, a car with an ATX is worth more than the same car with an MTX. Probably more than the price guides say.

Why? 'Mericans don't buy MTX's for the most part.

So you are going to drop the value of your car by $1K easily by dropping in an MTX. Perhaps even more.

Then you are going to pay even more money for the parts to do the swap.

Your time has to be worth something, even if you don't need to pay your mechanic friend.

So, unless you plan on keeping the car until it reverts back to its raw materials, you are probably better off trading.

Let dealers know that you are looking for an MTX Contour. You can make it a win-win for them. They get an ATX Contour they might actually want to put on their lot, and you take off their hands a car you want, and they really don't want.

The reality of it. I traded my 99SE V6/ATX with 14.xK on the clock and $2700 for a 98 E0 SVT with 35K on the clock. Not bad considering the difference in prices of these when new was over $4500.

I thought it was a heckuva deal, and I got a car off the dealers lot that he was going to have a hard time selling.

We both won!

Just my opinion, as I can't tell you what to do, but can tell you what I would do.

I do realize you didn't ask that question.

Cheers,

TB

The resale value of my car has gone to crap (99 V6 Cougar) which I bought new. Even the newest ones have a bad resale value. I am keeping my car till it falls apart. I've taken really good care of it and it will last me a long time. I almost have it paid off so buying another car of the same type and going into a bigger debt and pretty much throwing away the money I've already invested in my current car because of resale value. Plus if I decide to sell this "newer" manual car down the line (maybe it has major problems!?), I am going to lose again with the horrible resale value. Believe me, I've already looked at the situation and weighed everything. But it's not like I am going to go out tomorrow and start the conversion, I just wanted a little info of what it entailed.