Converting a first-generation Audi R8 from R tronic to a gated 6-speed manual is a big job, but it’s a bolt-in job. There’s no welding or fabrication when you use the right parts. This guide walks through the main stages so you or your shop know what to expect. Exact steps vary by car, and every EPOXY54 kit comes with unlimited free install support until your conversion is done right.
Before you start
- Confirm your car. The kit fits 2007–2012 R8s with R tronic, V8 or V10, coupe or Spyder. 2013–2015 cars use S tronic and aren’t covered.
- Plan for coding. You’ll need a VCDS interface (or a shop with one) to code the car for the manual gearbox at the end.
- Check the clutch. If your R tronic clutch is near the end of its life, the conversion is the ideal time to replace it.
- Get a lift. The gearbox side of the job is much easier with the car in the air.
1. Strip the cabin
Remove the centre console and R tronic selector, and take off the steering column trims. If the car has shift paddles, they come off too. Keep everything labelled: much of the trim goes back in.
2. Swap the pedal box
The R tronic pedal box has no clutch pedal, so it’s replaced with a manual pedal assembly. Owners who have done this on the closely related Gallardo say the pedal box is the trickiest part of the cabin work. Their tip: pull the wiring harness out of the way with bungee cords before removing the top bolts, and when refitting, locate the bottom of the pedal box behind the steering shaft first, then work the top into place.
3. Fit the gated shifter and cables
The gated 6-speed shifter bolts into the tunnel where the R tronic selector sat. The two shift cables run from the shifter back to the gearbox. Take care to route them without tight bends, as cable routing has a big effect on shift feel.
4. Convert the gearbox side
The R tronic gearbox is the same basic transaxle as the manual car’s, so the gearbox stays. What changes is how it’s shifted. The R tronic actuator is replaced with the manual shift selector housing and linkage, and our kit includes the manual shift forks, rails, bushings and nuts. Fitting those means working inside the gearbox, so plan for the gearbox to come out. We’ll confirm the exact approach for your car before you order.
5. Plumb the clutch hydraulics
On an R tronic car, the automated system works the clutch. After the conversion, the clutch pedal does. Fit the hydraulic clutch line from the pedal’s master cylinder to the slave, then bleed the system thoroughly.
6. Wiring
The wiring changes are smaller than most people expect. Owners who have documented the job report that the changes are concentrated around the gearbox control unit and the reverse light switch, not spread through the car. The two signals that matter are the clutch pedal switch, so the engine knows when the clutch is in, and the reverse signal, so the reverse lights and camera work. Our kit includes the wiring harness for the job.
7. Code the car
With everything installed, the car’s control units are coded for a manual gearbox using VCDS. Remote coding guidance is included free with every EPOXY54 kit.
8. Adjust and test
Check the shifter alignment, adjust the cables so every gate is clean, confirm the reverse lights and clutch switch work, and road test. Recheck for fluid leaks after the first drive.
DIY or shop?
A confident home mechanic with a lift and good tools can do this conversion. If you’d rather not, choose our Kit + Install option and our installer in British Columbia handles everything for $22,990 USD total.
Related reading
- Audi R8 manual conversion guide
- Audi R8 manual conversion cost breakdown
- Is an Audi R8 manual conversion worth it?
Sources
- Lamborghini Talk: Professional DIY LP Gallardo gated manual conversion (the Gallardo shares much of its drivetrain with the R8)