How hard would it be to swap out my automatic tranny for a manual tranny on my 1.8t B6 ??? And how hard is it to find a manual in decent shape?

 

It's not pretty, that much I can tell you... I think there is actually something different about the engine itsself, so you'd need a new engine too. FWIW, to replace the manual transmission in my '03 A4 (5 speed, not 6, which is farrrr more touchy), it would have been $8000 for parts at the stealership.

It's going to end up being cheaper and way easier to just trade up, no matter how much sentimental value the car has to you...