Lamborghini LP640 Roadster Manual Conversion. I've found 2 ways to make this rare car even rarer

Part 2. I bought this Lamborghini Murcielago egear LP640 around a year ago from VVS the Lamborghini specialists after a failed attempt to buy a Ford GT.
I've always loved this golden era of car manufacturing.
Cars like the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DBS, Ferrari 430, Dodge Viper and Porsche 911 turbo.
This is when these big beast manual cars were in their zenith.
I desperately wanted a manual Murcielago Roadster but I didn't think it was possible to convert an egear to manual.
Although Driftworks had managed to convert their LP640, it was widely agreed that it was near on impossible.
It wasn't until I was at SB Race Engineering in Aylesbury and saw a converted egear Murcielago that I decided to start on this path.
Along with SBR, we spent a year sourcing the parts - definitely not an easy task.
In this video I talk you through the project up until this point.
And there is one more thing I am going to do to make this rare car even rarer...
To see part 1 where I drive this car with the e gear still intact, click on this link -- • Lamborghini Murcielago...

[@driftworks]

Very interesting! I get asked all the time about converting Egear Murcielagos to manual and the answer is always; It's pretty much not possible without the massive compromises I made to my car. I know there is a gentleman in Hong Kong with an SV that was converted. But I think he essentially bought $200,000 of parts and spent 5 years struggling with the electronics. When doing my research I was led to believe that everyone else that has attempted the conversion (of which there are many), got the mechanical side of things sorted. But failed at the point of working out the electronics. Who is the owner of the LP640 that SBR have already converted? I will happily send everyone that asks in the direction of SBR if it's a proven conversion. Fantastic to see it happening though, and I look forward to the next update... Subscribed.

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks for subscribing. Mine is thr first LP640, the one they did last year was a late non LP640 Murci egear. But there’s no difference as far as SB is concerned. I’ll let you know when mines ready. I’d love to park it along side your epic (& famous!) car.

[@Joooohhhnnn]

What a beautiful car! Well done uncle peter love your channel! Love joshi

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks Joshi! It’ll be great when it’s done!

[@MrAlexMillan]

Great video! Can't wait to see a follow up on how it drives.

[@sportscarstory]

Yes it’s coming. Thanks for watching!

[@sportscarstory]

I’m going to SB tomorrow to drive it. Video soon!

[@petegeorge6605]

Thank you for the video! I have been looking forward for the update!

[@sportscarstory]

No problem! Sorry for the delay!

[@XoticLLC]

I have a pre LP Roadster EGear. I am really looking forward to the shakedown and driving of the manual conversion

[@sportscarstory]

It’s coming! Hopefully before the end of the summer. SB haven’t got much to do on it , but they’re swamped.

[@tcolley]

Soon????

[@johndavey72]

There's 3 things that make this rare exotic even rarer . The gearbox conversion , the hardtop and it' s appetite for consuming vast amounts of cash ! 😂😂😂 Well done !

[@sportscarstory]

True. Very expensive!

[@ProjectBiehlmeister]

I’m especially interested in hearing how you figure out the ECU reconfiguration. That seems like a challenge on the obscure electronics Lamborghini used for these cars.

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks for your reply. SB have sorted it once, so they’re quite confident- but I’ll update as soon as it’s done.

[@trinitt]

@@sportscarstory Completing the mechanical part of the conversion without having the ecu portion resolved might bite you in the end. I too am curious to see how that goes.

[@sportscarstory]

Should be ok - they know a guy who does the “flash” for them. I think the problem is getting hold of the guy - he’s very busy. Update coming soon I hope.

[@ProjectBiehlmeister]

Awesome video - thank you for sharing! I’m sure Ed Bolian @VINwiki is disappointed that his rare gated Murcielago is now just a bit less rare. This is definitely a very good example of a great car. Please post an update when the project is complete and driving!

[@sportscarstory]

Will do. Thanks for the comment!

[@commasNculture]

Great content !Can you give us a ballpark as to overall cost? Parts/labor?

[@sportscarstory]

Not sure of the Labour yet. Conversion parts not including clutch and release bearing £17k. But I was very lucky, I got the tower secondhand and Lamborghini are hiking the prices every day now. Thanks for watching! Subscribe to see more details next time I do the Lambo

[@ToxCcc]

Could they not have replaced more parts it make it compatible with the newer VW release bearing?

[@sportscarstory]

We really thought about that, but it would have been too many. Thanks for watching! Stay subscribed cause I’ll be driving it in the next week or two.

[@ProjectBiehlmeister]

Any update on how this project is progressing?

[@sportscarstory]

Yes. Haven’t done a video yet as we’re on holiday, but the car is back together. The ecu guy is coming in next week, so very exciting. They still need to sort out stereo & hardtop latching but getting there!

[@ProjectBiehlmeister]

Do you have an update on how this project is progressing?

[@DylanJ-r3k]

How’s this going? I am wanting to send my LP640 roadster in as well for the conversion and looking for feedback.

[@sportscarstory]

On the cusp of of ready. I’m just waiting for SB to weld the hardtop clasps to the screen rail ( nothing to do with the manual conversion, but must be done while all ecu’s can be disconnected. Last time I spoke to SB they were just doing the ecu flash for manual. Will chase tomorrow!

[@DylanJ-r3k]

Awesome! Thanks for the updates - fingers crossed everything goes well. I’ve been searching for someone who can do this for years, so if they do, I’ll be shipping mine from the US for the same treatment 🙌🏻

[@sportscarstory]

I can definitely vouch for the guys at SB. They’re very honest and hugely capable. Also fun to deal with.

[@XoticLLC]

Any updates?

[@sportscarstory]

Started and driving through the gears now. Besides the ECU map (next week), Waiting for tiny little things now. For instance, the electric window buttons need little bowls under them as they are set lower. The foot rest needs to be replaced with the smaller manual rest etc. I want to get my hands on it before they start salting the roads!

[@AnarchyJoe666]

Do you have a list of parts for people that would like to do the conversion

[@sportscarstory]

Sorry no. The list is held by SB. They said I needed to get the Tower though. Do try and talk to SB, but I think they’re quite guarded about it unless they’re doing the conversion for a customer.

[@550LMS]

please tell me you guys had the shift tower scanned so that it can be recreated for future conversions on other cars?

[@sportscarstory]

No we didn’t unfortunately 😢 sorry about that. I was just focused on getting my car done.

[@550LMS]

@@sportscarstory ah that's a shame. I hope SBR has something in the works...The piece is pretty simple to be honest, just need all the angles to be correct so the pattern matches the original H gate cover thingy,

[@sportscarstory]

Yes. Maybe SB can sort it for future conversions.

[@550LMS]

@@sportscarstory lets hope so

[@SBR_Eng]

@@550LMS dont worry 😉

[@f581474x]

How much did it cost you?

[@sportscarstory]

Not sure yet, but all the parts were over £20k - including the new clutch and release bearing.