Has an MR-S badge on the boot, car sits too low, and clutch began slipping 1500km after purchase. Took it to Terry at Ipswich Road & Track to get it ride height raised, get clutch fixed, and maybe full manual conversion. Turns out the six speed is not that obliging. The computer for our SMT six speed has no manual equivalent in this country. Possibly because of our Australia Design Rules, it seems the six speed's vsc, tsc and abs are unique. Terry is still checking the possibilities.

Looks nice and tidy, especially with the hardtop on!! Hope you can get the ECU issue sorted. Is a manual conversion a big thing for you or would you be happy to retain the SMT if it proves too difficult?

I've got a 6 speed manual with LSD so never had the VSC and TSC that came on the SMT models. It isn't on the road yet though. I am hoping that the lack such a system doesn't prove an issue :(

Australia never had any Gen3 manual Trans models...only SMT sold here.
 
Terry tells me:
"the reason most folk convert is the incessant trouble with the SMT as they age. repair parts are insanely expensive and there are plenty of cars which have had $5-$10k spent on SMT repairs in their life to date, and after continued problems, it is just tossed away."
 
I have the Torsen LSD.
 
Due to different design rules/government regulations Japanese and American models very different to ours, Brit/Euro models same in 5 speeds, but different for six speeds.
 
The Brit six speed didn't have traction or stability control. If I use a UK computer those systems will become disabled. That looks like where I'm going....
 

I'm sorry, what?
 
6SMT to MT swap is straightfoward, ECU can be any Manual one (except USDM ones with the silly fuel lines/sensors etc.) as I found out.  TRC and VSC you will have to do without, but its no great loss, in fact, having no TRC made it MUCH easier to get out of turns into traffic without the 'bogging down'.
 
I'm using a UK ECU and have had zero issues, apart from a CEL for the post-cat O2 sensor that doesn't exist on ADM cars.  Seems to run nicer too.  The VSC system is tied into the ABS computer (witchcraft) and is more of a nuisance than anything else.

The only parts that are fundamentally different are the shifter shaft itself and the blockout mechanism for stopping you getting into Reverse in a hurry.
 
Otherwise, cookie-cutter stuff! :)

Terry said he hadn't done a six speed before, but nothing he says disagrees with you. Seems like I'm going to have done what you did.. If you and he talk - maybe I can have it done sooner .....
 
Ipswich Road and Track Ph (07) 3201 8866
 
Terry is the man....
 
 

Why not leave it SMT at the moment and wait till you do have problems? The later 6 speeds were more reliable than the early SMTs.

If the clutch is slipping, I'd highly recommend replacing it with an Exedy HD, ACT HD or Extreme Stage 1 clutch setup (as we did).  the modest increase in clamp didn't cause any issues with the SMT system and the difference in general feel even after 3000kms of daily use was awesome.  When we pulled the box off to change the fork out (about 5500kms of driving) the clutch disc showed nominal wear, evenly across the surface.  It launched too! :)
 
Job can be done without disconnecting the GSA and all, so its like a conventional MT to work on :)

sweeetpete
Why not leave it SMT at the moment and wait till you do have problems? The later 6 speeds were more reliable than the early SMTs.

Already having problems though. ECU had number of SMT fault codes and clutch is gone as a result, so might as well try to nip in the bud while I can.....

Could worn clutch have given faults to start with?
 

Out of interest, what are the error codes you are getting? I am documenting SMT failures and would like to investigate :)