volvo 340 changing gearbox, and a few other questions

[whitey51]

H there people, im new to the forum and im looking to buy a 1.4 volvo 340 to learn to drift in can only have a 1.4 cause thats all ill be able to aford on insurance unfortunatley, im 18 and im just aproching a years driving in december.
basicaly what i want to know is since there are sooo many 340s out there with an auto gearbox, exactly how much of a task is it to find a manual box to drop in and how much of a task is it to fit.
Ohh and just to add im searching like mad to find one ill have the money to buy one the 26 of this month iv looked allover ebay, pistonheads, trovit, autotrader, and pretty much anywere else, im looking for a 3 dr 1.4 preferably in white or a dark color although in reality its not that important so long as it runs and its in good nick, i can spend up to £600 on the car, if anyone sees any knocking about please let me know, dont expect anyone to go out of their way though.
oh and one more thing any tips to get my ins cheep been driving a year 1 speedingt ticket and 1 years no claims soon

cheers people.

[Speedy88]

Stay well away from swapping manual box into an auto. It's very difficult, annoying and you may as well wait for a manual to show up.

[nvdw]

The main point with swapping an automatic for a manual is that most of the parts need to be sourced from a manual car anyway: not only the gearbox, but also the flywheel, bellhousing, linkages, propshaft, pedals and all the other associated bits 'n' bobs.

[macplaxton]

can only have a 1.4 cause thats all ill be able to aford on insurance unfortunatley

There's the problem: Converting a standard automatic car to become a manual, really makes it "modified" to the insurer, and can in some cases load up the premium.

[Chris_C]

It will load the insurance on all but specialist policies. If you want a manual, buy a manual.

[whitey51]

Thanks everyone, to be fair i though id get that responce, and just to add i said 3 door.. its not realy that important if its 3 door or not.