It's not that big of a deal, but I'd like to turn this from an automatic to a manual! What steps would I need to take? Also what transmissions, if any, would work with making this a manual car? If there isn't a way then it's no big deal. I just thought it would be fun to drive a manual transmission for a while!

 

If it's not a big deal to you, then it certainly isn't worth doing. It is definitely possible, there are manuals that will bolt to the engine- everything else is just fab work and wiring/tuning. The problem is the cost and labor. Since the monte never came with a manual, it's not like you can just get a donor car and do an a>b swap.

If you just want to drive a manual for a little while, take whatever you were budgeting for a swap (say a couple grand) and go buy a manual F body, mustang, miata, etc. Sure, you're not going to get a nice car straight up for the cost of a swap, but if you're just looking to try it out- buy a decent car that you can enjoy (say something up in the $10k range), drive it for a year or so and sell it. Between depreciation from the mileage and maintenance costs- you'll be out the same couple grand the swap would've cost you-and you won't have completely ruined the resale value on the monte.

 

True. I'll keep it an automatic.