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2012 SRT8 Manual Transmission

36K views 50 replies 29 participants last post by  gnasty1521 
#1 ·
Has anyone every heard of a place that can put a manual tranny into a Jeep SRT8? The Challenger comes in a manual mated to the same engine. I realize there are other issues... I know it sounds ridiculous but I would like to have it done if any place can do it.
 
#2 ·
Anything can be done with enough cheddar....question is, how much are you willing to spend ;) ;)
 
#11 ·
We've gone down this road before. It can't be done. I'm mean ya sure it can, but 10k isn't going to get you even close, so how much are you willing to spend, and is 20n to 30k worth having a stick in a Jeep?? The electrical nightmare alone wouldn't be worth it, but then you'd have to fab up pretty much everything else from scratch, because yes the 6 speed links up in the Chally, but nothing will in the Jeep. I wanted to do this 3 years ago. BAD, but it's just to expensive. But if you got a crap load of money than who cares right. I'd rather put a TT 426 with a fully built driveline in for the same price if not cheaper. But that's just me.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Maybe Modern Muscle out here in Oswego, Illinois might take a shot at it... Not sure if Tim at Mr.Norms might though.... This definitely sounds like a project though and it will be up there $$$.....
 
#14 ·
Do you want to keep it AWD? Mating the Tremec 6060 up to the AWD transfer case could be an issue. If you wanted to convert it to 2wd, I think it could be done. Keeping it AWD would require more custom fab and drive the price up, probably by double, if not more. Keoni's brother actually asked me about this back at VMP ;-)

J
 
#16 · (Edited)
Try Century Automotive in Richmond, Texas. http://www.centurytransmission.com/

They put a heavy duty racing automatic in my dad's Viper about 5 years ago. Top notch work. I don't see why they couldn't do the reverse.

PS. The auto swap was around $25k. It can be done a lot cheaper but with serious power I wouldn't recommend cutting any corners.
 
#17 ·
Try Century Automotive in Richmond, Texas. http://www.centurytransmission.com/

They put a heavy duty racing automatic in my dad's Viper about 5 years ago. Top notch work. I don't see why they couldn't do the reverse.
Because you have to add all the linkage, pedals, cut holes for pedals....etc..... Nightmare. But again if you got all the money in the world. I'd say it can't be done for less than the price of a 2010.
 
#19 ·
Interested.....

Id like to see if it can be done.
Could be interesting to convert the Jeep into a manual and RWD drag beast! Throw some drag tires on the back and get a wheelie bar too.
 
#26 ·
If Money is no Object, I'm sure there are a few Vendors on here that would be able to try it. You will probably need some custom adapters to get the Tcase to mount to the trans but its not impossible. Anything is possible if you have someone willing to do the work. And it will be alot of work, but doable IMHO.

J
 
#28 ·
Hi! I'm Nick from Munich, Germany.

Such a conversion can be developed for about 15-17k$, further conversion kits will cost about 3,5k $. We've mated RWD-only M5 E39 Getrag tranny to NV125 TC on 4.6l E53 X5 and it works perfectly so far, the engine will be supercharged soon as well.



V8 powered X5 never've been ofered with manual tranny.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/90835-4-6is-6-speed-manual.html

For such a development I'll only need a 3D-scan data from the RWD tranny and the TC housing. First prototype will be made of plastic to try it on the car, and if it suits, the final product (housing) will be casted from the regualr Al/Si-alloy, or from the alloy of your choice. We can also produce the input shaft for the TC.

Electronics wasn't a problem in case of BMW and I also presume, it won't be a problem in case of Jeep either, but I have no experience with Jeep at all.

The parts we can't provide from distance will be the shifting mechanism and the pedals insatllation. All other parts needed for such a conversion will be OEM.

Regards,

Nick
 
#30 ·
I would love to have a 6spd in my 2010...

I was really hoping the so called "car guys" at SRT would drop the 6-spd Tremec into the new Jeep SRT8, even as an expensive option. I've even considered selling my 2010 SRT8 to get a Porsche Cayenne GTS with a 6 speed manual gear box.

It's really a shame SRT only offers a manual in the Challenger and the new Viper. It's also too bad SRT decided to jack up prices on all their new SRT vehicles.
 
#31 ·
I am have been researching a Tremec T56/T6060 swap in the Jeep SRT8 on and off for the past few years.

There are no documented swaps on the internet. My "mechanic" has found a source that tells him it has been done a couple times in the WK1 and maybe a WK2. We are trying to get a hold of the guy(s) that was doing the swaps.

I don't own a GCSRT8 yet. I would prefer to go with a WK2 if we can do the swap on it. If not I will go with a WK1.

This is the info I have so far:
Transmission: RS Gear Magnum TZ Trans. Challenger parts for clutch, flywheel, etc. Options for 650 and 850ft/lbs and a few gear ratio options (starts at $3995 for T56 650ft/lb, $4395 for T6060 850ft/lb) Versions in 27 and 32 spline (t6060 is 32 spline only)
www.rsgear.com/products/transmissions/tremec-t56.aspx
The transmission includes RSGear adapter plate for TC mount.


NP242HD Transfer Case (has 2hi, 4hi, Fulltime High, N, 4lo) Several Dodge/Jeep models had this TC. Need to research input/output shafts to know if there is difference. Rated at 2000ft/lb torque, so good for around 680 crank tq with a 2.97 first gear ratio.
Could also use NP242AMG (Hummer H1 rated at 2300ft/lb, but would have to modify to have 2wd) I believe this is 32 spline
Remanufactured can be had for around $1000


For tuning apparently they used a Challenger SRT8 Manual Base tune in ECU. The WK2 has more electronics so it would be more challenging that WK1 I would think.

Lots of details needed for fabrication (trans and TC mounts) and additional parts like drive shafts, clutch pedal, sorting of electronics.

Working on a budget, So far at under $10k for parts including estimates for additional parts.

I think $20k might be achievable with labour, fabrication and Tuning...

I will update as I get more info.
 
#33 ·
I am have been researching a Tremec T56/T6060 swap in the Jeep SRT8 on and off for the past few years.

There are no documented swaps on the internet. My "mechanic" has found a source that tells him it has been done a couple times in the WK1 and maybe a WK2. We are trying to get a hold of the guy(s) that was doing the swaps.

I don't own a GCSRT8 yet. I would prefer to go with a WK2 if we can do the swap on it. If not I will go with a WK1.

This is the info I have so far:
Transmission: RS Gear Magnum TZ Trans. Challenger parts for clutch, flywheel, etc. Options for 650 and 850ft/lbs and a few gear ratio options (starts at $3995 for T56 650ft/lb, $4395 for T6060 850ft/lb) Versions in 27 and 32 spline (t6060 is 32 spline only)
www.rsgear.com/products/transmissions/tremec-t56.aspx
The transmission includes RSGear adapter plate for TC mount.
Tranzilla 4 X 4 Adaptor Plate for Tremec T56 and Magnum 6-Speed Transmissions ID11152 - YouTube

NP242HD Transfer Case (has 2hi, 4hi, Fulltime High, N, 4lo) Several Dodge/Jeep models had this TC. Need to research input/output shafts to know if there is difference. Rated at 2000ft/lb torque, so good for around 680 crank tq with a 2.97 first gear ratio.
Could also use NP242AMG (Hummer H1 rated at 2300ft/lb, but would have to modify to have 2wd) I believe this is 32 spline
Remanufactured can be had for around $1000


For tuning apparently they used a Challenger SRT8 Manual Base tune in ECU. The WK2 has more electronics so it would be more challenging that WK1 I would think.

Lots of details needed for fabrication (trans and TC mounts) and additional parts like drive shafts, clutch pedal, sorting of electronics.

Working on a budget, So far at under $10k for parts including estimates for additional parts.

I think $20k might be achievable with labour, fabrication and Tuning...

I will update as I get more info.
I could do this but don't have the time for all the wrenching metal stuff, but I can sort out the electronics for you so the electronics would work in the WK2 or Wk1 .....your choice.
 
#34 ·
As someone going through very costly and very time consuming transmission r+d on another platform my only suggestion is not to do it.

If you want a manual, look at a different platform. There is a reason why most vendors will not be interested in the work - it's a huge can of worms that will end up with either the shop losing money, you (the owner) spending a shit load more than planned, and/or both you and the shop being pissed off at each other over the whole scenario.

If you really want a manual trade in your 2012, pick up a 2014 with the 8 speed and fart around with the paddles. There may be no clutch but in track mode it shifts almost as fast as a DCT and you can control it well enough that it drives similar to a manual.

Or, pick up a busted wk1 and hack the hell out of it, drop in a new motor/trans, convert to 2wd and run a Motec instead of the factory ECU and custom tune the entire thing to work with a stick.

If you try and reinvent the wheel in a build like this it is inevitable that it will take twice as long and cost twice as much as anybody ever planned.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App
 
#35 · (Edited)
^Some really good points Rik84, I'm still curious to see what this would look like though. Also, maybe I'm old school but I prefer being able to shift with the shifter anyday over paddle shifters, so if anything I'd think someone who wants manual would rather have the current shiftable autostick option in the WK1 and 2012/2013s versus only a paddle shifter setup on the 2014. Now if his goal is just to shift really quickly and with ease then the 8 speed on the 2014s or a built trans on a prior year would be great.
 
#36 ·
First, this is not a pie in the sky idea by someone uninformed.

We are putting in the research and I have enough mechanical knowledge and experience to make an educated decision. This is beyond my abilities to do on my own, nor do I have the time. But my mechanic is an excellent fabricator, mechanic and builder and has built some seriously cool stuff over his 30+ year career. We have worked closely together on my race cars for the last 7 years and he has built a show car quality '30 Ford Model A Hot Rod for my dad (seriously cool shit on this car, GM L92 6.2L V8 with custom billet aluminum Individual Throttle bodies, custom installed glass panoramic sun roof, T56 6 speed, slight roof chop, etc). He has also done a few other projects for us. So we are on the same page about what this will take to figure out and build and there will not be any hard feelings if we go ahead. We do need a tuning specialist to work with us. From what we understand the guy that has done this swap can do the tuning. Hopefully we will get in touch with him this week. Once we talk to him we will make a decision to do this or not.

Blown7, I will send you a PM as more knowledge is better. Thanks for offering!

As for why I want to do this versus a SUV with a DCT or 8 speed auto with paddles. I just enjoy the purity of a manual. I do have seat time in a Boxster PDK and an S5 with DTC. Great technology, faster that a manual, probably better MPG too. Same goes for the 8 speed in the 2014 GCSRT. But they just don't do it for me. There will be a few people that get that. If you don't get, I would even try to explain as I think you just don't get it.

I also decided 10 years ago that I was not going to daily drive something that I don't enjoy as life is too short. An SUV is much better for my work and fits my life style better than a sports sedan that I could get a manual in.


Once I decide to go ahead, I will start a separate build post
 
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