I'm very interested in exploring the possibility of converting my auto to a manual. Why you may ask? 1. I think the auto really blunts the true performance potential 2. It would be closer to my 4 seater 550 Maranello ideal 3. I don't want to trade up to a 612 as I personally don't think that Image Unavailable, Please Login they're as stunning as the 456 4. The manuals, M's especially, are rarer in the UK at least So my question is, beyond the obvious mechanical components, is it an easy conversion and has anyone on here done it? Many thanks.
Surely swopping cars would be more cost-effective and make for easier resale ? Just ask someone like Mike at Rardley to keep an eye open
Sure, good idea but I'm really happy with mine and figured if I could convert really cheaply ie less than £3k then I would explore.
The cost has got to be stunningly prohibitive; it's not just mechanicals. Lots of electronic sensors and other hardware involved. I'm pretty sure it's been discussed in prior threads. As a New Yorker would say, "fuggedaboudit."
There have been some conversions from F1 to three pedal, but the two versions use the same transmission, clutch, etc, so much easier to do and still $6-10K if you do it yourself. Different ball of wax going from a torque converter automatic to a 6 speed. You would just about need a complete donor car to do that, and it would still be a pain. For £3k, no way. Very pretty M GTA and those NF2s look really nice on her.
Thanks Taz. Well that's kyboshed that idea. I'm waiting for a detailed response from Foskers Ferrari, who race a 456 so they have loads of spares incl. boxes. I'll let you know what they say.
only 61 456M manuals were imported to the UK. I'm sure there is no difference between the 456 and the 456M for the gearbox. There is a Cat C 456GT that is being sold shortly, so if you don't get one off Foskers, I'll dig out the auction company details. There is also a Cat B 599 going for sale shortly [you need to be a registered dismantler to purchase :-( ]wonder if you could fit a 599/612 engine in a 456 ? complete with F1 ?
612 with a hood scoop, probably, because the 456 and 612 blocks are very similar. The difference in wheelbase (2950 vs 2600) might cause some real problems with the torque tube, though.
Mark- It is 33 GT and 139 GTA for the 456M. Someone got their numbers crossed because for the 456, it is 141 GT and 61 GTA, so that is where the 61 number originated.
I would go another way. The C6 vette with A6 autotranny can be reprogramed to shift and hold shifts like an F1 gearbox at 100MS! That is fast for an auto. I would put the C6 gearbox in the 456. The layout is the same engine torque tube gearbox. Now that would be an awesome change. Another area of research is if the 456 GM gearbox really some kind of 4L80 variant or similar. The aftermarket has made peddles for them. So if you could juice the performance and paddle the stock gearbox that could save a huge headache.
