Greetings members, I have a Octy MK1 with an AGU code engine and a 01M FDC auto gearbox. Few days ago, the gearbox decided to kaput and I was thinking of doing a swap to manual instead of rebuilding the old auto box.

I have seen a mk4 golf with the same AGU engine code and manual who are selling them for parts, I am wondering what parts would I need to grab to complete the swap. My car isnt kitted with the cruise control. (thought i'd inform this)

Cheers from Malaysia!
Thanks!

Reckon you would need a fair few bits starting with pedals and master cylinder plus pipe to slave and you may need a different ECU for the manual box unless the original can be reprogrammed. If you need an ECU then it will have to be coded etc. Drive shafts may be different plus new flywheel, clutch, gear linkage plus centre consol/gearstick. Thats if any of the vw parts fit. Reckon it would be easier and a lot cheaper sourcing a second hand autobox or a MK1 octavia thats manual and use it as a donor car. Daughter converted a classic mini from auto to manual which took a lot of time and effort/cost and thats a car without electronics.

Alasdair

3 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

Reckon you would need a fair few bits starting with pedals and master cylinder plus pipe to slave and you may need a different ECU for the manual box unless the original can be reprogrammed. If you need an ECU then it will have to be coded etc. Drive shafts may be different plus new flywheel, clutch, gear linkage plus centre consol/gearstick. Thats if any of the vw parts fit. Reckon it would be easier and a lot cheaper sourcing a second hand autobox or a MK1 octavia thats manual and use it as a donor car. Daughter converted a classic mini from auto to manual which took a lot of time and effort/cost and thats a car without electronics.

Alasdair

Hey friend, sourcing a second hand autobox is nearly impossible in my country at the moment, I have contacted several scrapyards etc and had no luck. I did find a Bora MK4 w the AGU and manual box. That is why I was wondering if I could just go the manual route. We also do not have MK1 Octy w manual imported in Malaysia, only autos with 01M box.

Cheers

Thats a problem as you would need specific parts for skoda. Is it possible to import an autobox from australia/singapore etc. or are they not available there either. Another option would be to have the autobox reconditioned but depending on whats gone wrong and at what price. Good luck in your search

16 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

Thats a problem as you would need specific parts for skoda. Is it possible to import an autobox from australia/singapore etc. or are they not available there either. Another option would be to have the autobox reconditioned but depending on whats gone wrong and at what price. Good luck in your search

Could specify what specific parts I might need to get? Also not possible to import from AUS or SG since it would cost a lot for shipping etc. My original autobox had completed rendered useless where there's bearing and grinding noises. It would need a full rebuild which I estimated the cost would be as much as a manual swap (manual box plus other parts I would need from the Bora MK4 scrap car).

Thanks

The specific parts that I think would have to come from an octy would be mainly interior etc such as centre consol for gearlever , pedals/master cylinder assembly unless the vw is the same plus hydraulic lines etc. Probably gear linkage cables and not sure on gearbox mount. You could use https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs They have exploded diagrams with part numbers for skoda and VW. It may take a while but you could cross check which part numbers are the same on things you reckon you could take off the vw.

14 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

The specific parts that I think would have to come from an octy would be mainly interior etc such as centre consol for gearlever , pedals/master cylinder assembly unless the vw is the same plus hydraulic lines etc. Probably gear linkage cables and not sure on gearbox mount. You could use https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs They have exploded diagrams with part numbers for skoda and VW. It may take a while but you could cross check which part numbers are the same on things you reckon you could take off the vw.

For the interior, I could custom make for the manual shifter. I am assuming the gear lever cables all should be plug and play as it is the same platform. I will take a look into the catalogue. Gearbox mount has to be from the Bora. I am gonna wait out and get more inputs from the others here who have done the swap or know a thing or two about the swap before I carry on.

Thanks

bump

Update, I have ordered all the parts I need for the swap. Might be looking at next 2 weeks time. Hope all goes well once I get the manual box and the bits needed for the swap. As for the auto box, I disassembled it and found pieces of bearings just compiled on the bottom. Completely wrecked so no way to refurbish it as the housing also has damages.

Good luck with the swap. Auto boxes are pretty reliable but when they go its often catastrophic.

Alasdair

34 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

Good luck with the swap. Auto boxes are pretty reliable but when they go its often catastrophic.

Alasdair

Thanks mate! My experiences with the auto boxes weren’t keen. They always failed, my dad had 2 mk1 Ovtys back in the day and they caused so much trouble. We didnt really get MK1 manual imported in Malaysia. I guess my Octy MK1 will be the only manual tranny in Malaysia haha.

Edited 18 April18 Apr by Jochu

Partially done with the swap, I've installed everything and still waiting on the manual power steering line. I wanted to try and start the car but nothing. Did I do something wrong here? any help would be apreciated! I get voltage to the starter but the signal 1 wire isnt getting any voltage when i turn the key.

You could take live feed from battery instead of signal wire to see. It may be a missing earth or not sure if theres a relay involved?

Alasdair

Just thought if there was an autobox there may have been a switch so you could only start in park. I doubt the manual box would have one but it may need switch if there is bypassed. On my newer MK2 12 plate car wont start unless clutch depressed. On my older Mk2 08plate it started without clutch depressed. Both were manual but my Toyota people carrier wont turn over unless in park (auto)

Alasdair

1 hour ago, Alasdair1 said:

You could take live feed from battery instead of signal wire to see. It may be a missing earth or not sure if theres a relay involved?

Alasdair

I figured it out and I basically jumped the pins at the Transmission plug, the 6 pins. Jumped pin 1-3 and 4-6. Started right up. Only issue at the moment is the gearbox isnt gonna get bolted to the mounts since the power steering line is in the way, I might need a manual power steering line. Have to wait for awhile for that now.

Dont suppose a hydraulic hose company could adapt the auto steering hose for you?

Glad your getting sorted though.

Alasdair

On 29/04/2026 at 00:14, Alasdair1 said:

Dont suppose a hydraulic hose company could adapt the auto steering hose for you?

Glad your getting sorted though.

Alasdair

Possibly but for now I have tucked it under the engine mount and have to cover the lines in a soft material so it doesnt rub on the metal.

I have completed the swap and everything is perfect, just some minor things such as shifter bushings (cabin side) and at the engine side. Reverse lights dont work as of now but that doesn't bother me. The brake lights have been sorted as well.

Funny was just thinking on how you were getting on. Glad its going to plan.

Alasdair.