So I have a 97' Eclipse RS non-turbo.
Automatic trans and I was told the trans casing was cracked.
Now I am looking to replace the trans. I know a manual is much more fun and even gets better gas milage. From what I was told from the few salvage yards I called, a manual trans is gonna cost about $50 more with 50k more miles on it. An automatic trans would cost around $450-$500 with about 62k-75k miles.
Is the manual trans worth getting with that many miles or should I keep looking around?
Also, about how much would I be looking to pay to convert my car to a manual 5 speed?
I am looking for all advice and suggestions. Thanks.

they are raping you on the trans price. should be around $300 for the auto.

to do a 5-speed swap you will need about $1000 and alot of time to do it right

Ok. So I am def. going for the manual. I deliver parts and one of our accounts is aamco transmissions. I talked to a guy there today and he gave me a card for shop thats supposed to be really good for converting the auto to a manual. I only asked him about it because I know I wouldn't be able to do it alone or even with the help of friends.

What do you think he would charge? The guy I talked to today is a good friend of the shops owner and im close with the guy. Think he will be willing to help a guy out for a good price or you think hes gonna charge me big time?

I can get a rhino clutch kit from work for about $130. Is it a good product? And I guess a junk yard would be a good place to start for the other parts.

Does that include the ECU?

Probably one of the questions I should ask. I read on here somewhere that a new ECU may not be needed.

I'm not trying to be a troll, but heed this.

Fun + gas mileage are like opposites.

Manual transmission may be fun, but you have to waste a lot of gas (low gears, double-clutch, burnouts).

Manual transmission may get good gas mileage, but that would mean having to use a higher gear and keep your RPM's low in your own control. Which most of the time isn't fun because you inch away from the line.

However, manual transmissions do still offer both these things, just not both at once.

Well your right. I am looking for both. Sometimes I wanna be fuel efficient and sometimes I wanna show off. I'm not a very flashy driver. Meaning I wont be showing off too terribly much and most of my friends aren't too big into driving so no racing the friends down the block. The manual is probably about 80% for efficiency and safety and the other 20% will be fun and showing off :P

if you don't get a ecu from a car with a manual tranny I don't think you'll be able to rev past a certain rpm. (I think it's 4k rpm's but I'm not sure)

Correct. You need the ECU.

I think the rev limit is 6800rpm for auto and 7200 for manual. not much of a difference if you don't want to change the ECU. Just make sure you splice the speed sensor into the right wires or it won't idle the best

Then I will work on getting that ECU. I can get one at a junk yard?
I found a manual 98 rs today. Its still got the stick and clutch pedal. Guys basically gonna give them to me. Should I check for the ECU and is that in the middle under the dash?

no it's right above where the intake ends (under the hood). It's a slim gray or black box looking thing with a sea of wires coming out of it. You might as well just get it considering they probably won't charge you too much and it's better to be safe than sorry.

^I see. Its in the same place as the automatic. Right above the fuse box. I am going to a junk yard on monday and apparently the guy who runs it as cool as shit. Im sure he will let me walk out with it for a really good price. If not free.

I found a shift lever and a shift lever boot yesterday. Also a clutch pedal. All for free. I am getting pretty lucky on these things :)
Finding a trany for a reasonable price will be a bitch. I might just try to find a repoed car for like $500

I believe you will need the console as well.

I don't think he needs the entire center console but he's gonna need that little frame for the shift boot that's held in there with 4 screws.

I thought I replied to this post but I guess it didnt work?
Well I will be getting the center console as well. I figured I would just in case. Thanks for the tips tho. Anyone got any others? all information will be greatly appreciated