For those that have done this.
What is the cost of parts?
If I do this will have a shop do it not me so + labor.

What parts do I need aside from 6spd tranny and 6spd ecu?

thx

 

Pedal set, shifter and linkage, longer drive-shaft (custom welded)different/longer front axles, sub-frame mods, flywheel mods, and on & on.

Do a post search here and on Quattroworld D2 forum of "6 speed" or "manual trans"...poster TozoM8.

Not many have done this.

A couple of threads (of hundred's) discussing it:

http://forums.quattroworld.com/a8/msgs/54912.phtml

http://forums.quattroworld.com/a8/msgs/8652.phtml,

 

I managed to get all the parts for around £2500.
used DGV gearbox form Germany £500
used DGV drive shaft from Germany £120 (brand new is over £1000)
few other used bits from Germany (gearbox oil cooler lines, etc) £300
new flywheel from Audi UK £330
new clutch & plate from Audi UK around £400 (cant find the receipt)
new DGV gearbox mounting brackets £110 each
new front half shafts (longer to fit DGV) £210 each

lots of other bits also add up. Basically the gearbox and the drive shaft are the most expensive items, if you can find those two cheap you are sorted.
Also if you can find a 6-speed from a S8 (rare I know) you avoid having to customise the sub frame as you can use the original gearbox mounts.

also if you cant do the work yourself (same as me) you will probably end up running up a labout bill of 24 hours (see Tozo's post to see how long it took him), so (in the UK at least) thats a minimum of 24 x £50/hour = £1200 (probably more than that realistically).
Considering that a good rebuild of the auto is over £2500 in the UK and that a new auto box is around £4000, I think its well worth doing a manual conversion.

I have the added complication that for Right hand drive the pedal box has to be converted by welding on a suport plate for the clutch slave cylinder, in the US you dont have that problem just get all the stock bits from a standard manual car. Keep checking German ebay - thats where I got most of my parts for cheap.

 

Forgot to say, I dont think you need a 6-speed ecu. I think Tozo used the auto ECU. Also the Auto ECU already has the 6-speed programming, you can re-code it using VAG com. I have done this although not with the 6-speed gearbox in place so I cant confirm if it still looks for the signals from the auto box, although in theory it shouldnt as its the factory program for the manual box. You would need to add a wire for the clutch safety switch somewhere to the auto ecu though.

I havent done my conversion yet (not going to do it in winter, have to wait for warmer wearher)

here is a jpeg of ECU coding from ElsaWin for facelift models.
According to this the 4th digit is for gearbox programming, auto code = 5, 6-speed code = 1

 

sorry here is a better picture hopefully, and the text:

Encoding control unit
Encoding control unit
Notes:

◆ If the appropriate code for the vehicle is not displayed or if the control unit has been replaced, the control unit must be encoded.
◆ During control unit identification a 5-digit code must always be displayed.
◆ Incorrect coding may lead to higher emissions and increased strain on the automatic gearbox resulting from harsh gearshift joints.
‒ Connect the vehicle diagnostic, testing and information system VAS 5051 or fault reader V.A.G 1551 and select engine electronics control unit with "Address word" 01 => Page 01-15.
For this purpose, the ignition must be switched on.


→ Indicated on display: Rapid data transfer HELP
Select function XX

‒ Press keys 0 and 7 for the function "Encode control unit" and confirm entry with Q key.


→ Indicated on display: Code control unit Q
Enter code number xxxxx (0-32000)

‒ Enter the appropriate code number for this vehicle and confirm with Q key.
Compose the code number as follows (example):

EU IV (emission standard)
11




4WD with ESP

7



Automatic gearbox


5


Audi A8 + S8



3

Code number
11
7
5
3



→ The display on fault reader V.A.G 1551 shows the control unit identification code e.g.: 4D0907558.. 4.2l V8/5V G D.⇒
Code 11753 WSC 06388

‒ Press ⇒key.


→ Indicated on display: Rapid data transfer HELP
Select function XX

‒ Press keys 0 and 6 for the "End output" function and press the Q key to confirm entry.
‒ Switch the ignition off and then on again.
Note:

The next time the ignition is switched on the newly entered code will be activated.

Coding variations for the engine control unit