I'm wanting to change my 2000 magna sports from manual to auto (the Mrs can't drive manual and won't learn). I need to know if it's worth it and do you just need the auto or do I need to change ecu as well?

my 2002 Magna VRX is auto, want to pay someone to swap them over ?

I'm in Sydney.

I would need to know what it's gonna cost to install it before I swapped it but yes I would swap!

I would also consider swapping my manual box for an auto but really don't want to pay anyone but I'm in Vic :P

my 2002 Magna VRX is auto, want to pay someone to swap them over ?

I'm in Sydney.

Seriously, an auto for a manual AND he pays labour

OP don't get stitched mate as that is bloody stupid

If each party paid labour would be closer to fair. If you use 5 sp auto lotsa work. You really should aim for 4 sp auto, tippy from a tj exec series 2 as is tippy. Most others require tcl to be connected thus much more work

You will in addition to obvious parts need ecu, bem, it barrel/key and engine loom

I would also consider swapping my manual box for an auto but really don't want to pay anyone but I'm in Vic :P

Depending on your model and mileage / service history we may be able to do something

222000km approx, I get the car serviced and maintained by ultratune (I do regular oil changes anyway just to maintain the old girl). There used to be a leak in the tranny but that should be easily fixed up if its still there - it was incredibly slow. While it's out it wouldn't hurt to service what you can on it but yeah. Hit me up if you're ever interested. It shifts smoothly but occasionally gets a little stuck going into reverse but shifting to first or second frees it up, never had to force it.

1999 3.5 mitsubishi magna executive - just over 222000km


You will in addition to obvious parts need ecu, bem, it barrel/key and engine loom

When you say this, is this all conversions? I only have 1 key for the car

You will in addition to obvious parts need ecu, bem, it barrel/key and engine loom

I forgot to ask this the other day Mal, if going for a manual conversion, do u need a new ECU or retune of it?

I forgot to ask this the other day Mal, if going for a manual conversion, do u need a new ECU or retune of it?

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I read, if its 4sp to manual or vice versa, no retune/flash, if its tippy 5sp I read somewhere that needs to be flashed.

Also when it comes to the dash cluster, doesn't that need to be changed aswell? and if so, what happens to the total km part?

When you say this, is this all conversions? I only have 1 key for the car

The reason you need to get a new key is because the ECU is locked to the BEM, so therefore if you change the ecu, you need to change the bem as well (from same car as ecu is from or buy brand new ecu & brand new bem). The bem controls immobiliser and the unlocking system so you need to get a new key cut and programmed into the car or have the original key for the car the ecu & bem was removed from re-programmed into the car.


I forgot to ask this the other day Mal, if going for a manual conversion, do u need a new ECU or retune of it?

If you've already got an auto then you do not need to change the ecu or returne for a manual conversion. You can but it's not necessary. You just need to modify the inhibitor switch wiring so that the car thinks it is in Neutral mode. Easily done. Search the forum for info. Retuning would be for better power.


Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I read, if its 4sp to manual or vice versa, no retune/flash, if its tippy 5sp I read somewhere that needs to be flashed.

Also when it comes to the dash cluster, doesn't that need to be changed aswell? and if so, what happens to the total km part?

The problem with a 5sp conversion is mostly regarding the TCL system. All 5sp autos came with Tcl and therefore you need to install this OR I believe you can reflash the ecu with an AWD map that bypasses the need for TCL. Search the forums and speak to member WytWyn who knows heaps about reflashing and different ecu maps.

The cluster is not necessary to be changed, the gears will still change, except you just won't see the light on the cluster that tells you which gear you're in. Usually if someone goes from a 4sp auto setup to 5sp, then you can probably look past not being able to see whether the car is in 4th or 5th however if you've originally got a manual, then you will have no indication whatsoever. It definitely is nice to see what gear you're in, however you can learn to live without it as well. You'll know whether you're in Park, Neutral, Drive (if all else fails, check the selector ;) ) and you can generally after some time with the tippy you'll know which gear you're in without being told. I know when I had the 4sp auto I rarely needed to cross-check what gear I'm in on my dash and I was well aware and could feel it as well as checking against the speed & rpm.

KM-wise, well of course, anouther cluster will likely different km's (unless you're very lucky!). You can just put it in and don't worry about it or have it reprogrammed by mitsubishi to the right km's. If the 5sp cluster has less km's than what your car has then you can setup a DIY circuit to advance the km's forward by simulating the speedo as if you were driving. I managed to push a KJS1 blackout cluster forwards by 280km's per hour.

Seriously, an auto for a manual AND he pays labour

OP don't get stitched mate as that is bloody stupid

If each party paid labour would be closer to fair. If you use 5 sp auto lotsa work. You really should aim for 4 sp auto, tippy from a tj exec series 2 as is tippy. Most others require tcl to be connected thus much more work

You will in addition to obvious parts need ecu, bem, it barrel/key and engine loom

that sounds like a lot of work!

Manual to auto = new ecu etc

Auto to manual = no new ecu

Magnapi sorry mate a lot lot more to it than what you posted. Te 5 sp auto engine harness requires much of the tcl system UNLESS you can both get an AWD engine harness AND you know what to do with it to get the abs and a few other bits to still function

so realistically this will be a pain to swap over and im guessing that would mean it wont be cheap. Pretty sure i can do NONE of the work!

Well I don't have ABS or airbags so that seems like it might be a bit easier on my end. I would have to sit down with you or who ever and work out exactly what needs to be done, how many hours of labour etc but I've got a good bit of know how to do a lot of work on my end, just not the tools, eg engine crane, to get it out. It's probably not so bad for me as there are a lot of wrecked magnas (Thank you terrible drivers!) to get an auto and full kit to go with it.

Manual to auto = new ecu etc

Auto to manual = no new ecu

Magnapi sorry mate a lot lot more to it than what you posted. Te 5 sp auto engine harness requires much of the tcl system UNLESS you can both get an AWD engine harness AND you know what to do with it to get the abs and a few other bits to still function

So there's more work then just installing a full TCL system? (dash & engine looms, tcl module, ecu & bem, new tb & tcl tps, vacuum & tcl solenoid, steering wheel sensor) ?

I was under the impression once that is all installed, then the 5sp auto would work fine.

My car has a 5 speed tiptronic and no TCL and isn't 4WD, would the information from my ECU be of any use to anyone?

Edit: Probably should mention it's a Diamante with a DOHC 2.5 engine.

$300 and you can have my '97 sports 4 speed auto with tiptronic, ECU, key, ignition barrel and the whole shifter unit. It's out of a car I bought from a chick a couple of house blocks up from me who parked the car after a big end went in the engine. It had done 160k when it happened and the auto was still going ok. Not sure if the '97 auto is suitable for your '00 though?

Can only imagine how much the freight on that would be to NSW.

How much for the manual gearbox and all the bits required for the conversion when you take them out and i'll consider buying them.

Most others require tcl to be connected thus much more work

Simple... find someone local with openport (or purchase one) turn periphery bit for tcl off upload and then no tcl issue...


You will in addition to obvious parts need ecu, bem, it barrel/key and engine loom

Again can be done at the same time as turning tcl perifery off, simply grab imob code from current ecu and add the code to the new 3 row pin auto ecu... no need for bem+key change etc



Magnapi sorry mate a lot lot more to it than what you posted. Te 5 sp auto engine harness requires much of the tcl system UNLESS you can both get an AWD engine harness AND you know what to do with it to get the abs and a few other bits to still function

as above... other alternative is using an awd rom but not necessary simply just turn tlc bit off.