Is this right? and who can do it cheaper?

9fcskells · Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:41 pm

Ok, I have an 09 Focus. It is automatic. Don't judge lol. I wanted a manual, but my salesman said they are impossible to find. So, I have found the tranny from an 08 manual that was totaled. I called up a performance shop and they quoted like 10,000-15,000.00 for the swap in which is including parts and supposed "extensive" labor. Now a simple pull and replace of a tranny is only 600.00. That is at 8 and a half hours. Well, I know 10-15,000.00 for a swap is just outrageous and I don't believe it. I won't say which shop it was so don't ask. Anyway, if someone knows anyone that can do this or has done this let me know. I want it done badly!! Thanks!

frankjt96 · Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:55 pm

Try SCI in Minneapolis. They deal mainly with euros but they'll do a domestic from time to time. There number is 612-722-8897 ask for Chad.

P.S., your salesmen was probably getting to the end of his pay period and wanted to make quota or bonus cause I've seen A LOT of MT 09's around. They probably just didn't have one on the lot, didn't want to have to order one, and he wouldn't get commission until that car came in and you signed the papers. The AT is an option for the Focus, the MT is standard regardless of trim level.

Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:55 pm

I'd do it for 2k plus parts....

Redlineracer12 · Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:01 pm

Um 10k is outrageous. They should be able to put a v8 in there and convert it to rwd for that much

Forbidn · Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:08 pm

Buy an svt? lol

Monkey-Gein · Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:58 pm

buy a salvaged car and drive that. next time stick too your guns, a new car is a big purchase

Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:58 am

The only reason they're hard to find is that the dealerships are too stupid to order them with manual transmissions.

That and the salesman you were dealing with was lazy, he could have arranged a dealer trade for a manual trans car. I know for a fact that we have a couple at Tousley right now.

When I wanted a new car in 2004 I told the car salesman to find me a ZX3 2.3 manual and he did, of course I then ended up trading it in for my SVT but a good salesman WILL make an effort to find you the car you want.

HilloNative · Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:33 pm

^^^ or work magic to make you leave the lot with a car and a Happy face... they did that when i got mine...

spots25 · Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:30 pm

last time I was at Tousley, i didn't see a single manual. Anyway, when you're buying a car, buy what you want. If they don't have it, walk away. You'll need more than just the tranny, you need the shifter tower/cables/linkages, and a complete clutch setup (lines, master/slave cylinder/lines), new pedals, and probably a bunch of more parts.

Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:11 pm

spots25 wrote:last time I was at Tousley, i didn't see a single manual. Anyway, when you're buying a car, buy what you want. If they don't have it, walk away. You'll need more than just the tranny, you need the shifter tower/cables/linkages, and a complete clutch setup (lines, master/slave cylinder/lines), new pedals, and probably a bunch of more parts.

I talked to him on the phone the other day so he knows whats involved

focinite · Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:50 pm

your best bet is to find a wrecked car same model, then just swap over all parts to do the job. this way you have all you need its like legos.

CleanZX3 · Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:38 am

I say put that money towards a turbo kit. I hear the new autos can handle some low boost.

ch435 · Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:26 am

I agree that sales rep pulled a fast one on you, but that's irrelevant at this point.

I agree with clean xz3 to put your money towards a turbo. A better investment imo. You get a much better performance improvement for a lot less than a tranny swap.

At secondly, I really think you should tell us the name of the shop that gave you that outrageous quote. That's what this forum is all about - helping each other, and if you withhold the name, some other poor soul might end up at that shop that otherwise would not have had you alerted us to its name.

9fcskells · Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:05 am

yeah, my friends were telling me same thing. that I should just get the turbo kit. but I want around 3-400 at the wheels for hp. As far as the shop goes. My friend owns it so I wont disclose it. But, he only thought it would be that much including parts. Also, I sent them a write up of the swap on fj and after they looked came up with somewhere around 2000 for labor. So, its just they had never done work on a focus. just didnt know what would be all involved especially with mine being an 09. So, dont worry about them. they came down dramatically in price with a write up they could go off of. Hope it doesnt upset anyone. If my friend wasnt the owner of course I would give shops name originally, but dont want to take business away from him. especially since he has helped me in so many ways and he is hooking my friend that has an evo x up with a free stage 3 port and polish.

As far as salesman. Yeah, last time I will trust one of them. My fiancees friend and coworker used to work at hastings ford and knew the salesman so I felt like I should trust him. Looks like hes like every other salesman though...always looking out for themselves.

spots25 · Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:01 am

i don't know about the rest of you, but i'd rather have a manual than a turbo...