850 manual conversion part(s) question

NC855R · Post by **NC855R** » 11 Jul 2023, 11:15

Oh wizened P80 hive mind.... Need some advice on parts for my planned 850 manual conversion. I have absolutely every part needed as outlined by the many online tutorials/postings. What I don't have is the center console trim that is required for the shift boot to snap onto. Tasca said they could get it from Sweden so ordered it but the order was cancelled to day as NLA.

I've look at eBay and classifieds to no success. Any recommendations on how to solve this? I have an R so I was going to cut up the donor console trim and attach to the R trim (this is what DIYRobert did) so I can keep my nice birch trim.

Also not clear is do I need different drive axles? I don't see any mention of this in the tutorials/guides and planned on using the one I have (auto)

Thanks for any advice would be appreciated.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 19 Jul 2023, 20:00

For the center console a wrecked manual car is the best bet. I haven't seen Robert's work around but if he does something then that's more than enough to convinvce me that it's a good option.

You don't need different axles. You do need different axle seals.

NC855R · Post by **NC855R** » 20 Jul 2023, 05:52

Thanks! And thanks for your extensive guide on the swap, I've studied it extensively and used it for my parts sourcing. I've got the seals but will need to check them to see if they are correct. Do you have to part # handy? If not I'll search around and find it.

As for the center console I think given the rarity/lack of availability even used I'll have to concoct some sort of plastic rim for the boot to snap onto. I've seen references to use ABS plastic to construct this on the original auto console, so will give that a go.

polskamafia mjl wrote: ↑19 Jul 2023, 20:00 For the center console a wrecked manual car is the best bet. I haven't seen Robert's work around but if he does something then that's more than enough to convinvce me that it's a good option.

You don't need different axles. You do need different axle seals.

Post by **Chuck W** » 20 Jul 2023, 07:22

I don't have pics from the manual swap on my T5, but a manual console piece is NOT needed.

I used a piece of 1/16" black ABS plastic. I cut out a piece that matched the needed opening for the manual shifter boot and them left the flange wide enough to epoxy that to the bottom of the auto console opening (roughly 1" wide). The manual shifter boot clips into the new flange opening.

No need to hunt down a manual trans console plate.

NC855R · Post by **NC855R** » 20 Jul 2023, 15:01

Thanks, that is the approach I'm taking now.

Chuck W wrote: ↑20 Jul 2023, 07:22 I don't have pics from the manual swap on my T5, but a manual console piece is NOT needed.

I used a piece of 1/16" black ABS plastic. I cut out a piece that matched the needed opening for the manual shifter boot and them left the flange wide enough to epoxy that to the bottom of the auto console opening (roughly 1" wide). The manual shifter boot clips into the new flange opening.

No need to hunt down a manual trans console plate.

Post by **Clemens** » 21 Jul 2023, 13:50

This worked well for me:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4495942

It pops into the original console from the top. You have to trim is a bit on the inside to make the boot fit correctly.

NC855R · Post by **NC855R** » 22 Jul 2023, 08:04

That looks really nice. Thanks for the link.

Clemens wrote: ↑21 Jul 2023, 13:50 This worked well for me:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4495942

It pops into the original console from the top. You have to trim is a bit on the inside to make the boot fit correctly.

Post by **Clemens** » 22 Jul 2023, 15:21

This is how it looks.
I still need to grind off the bottom part of the Econ/Sport switch, hence the hole.

: 20230722_231615.jpg (302.04 KiB) Viewed 382 times