Why Not to Swap Your Cars Transmission
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Date: 2019-05-28
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Comments and reviews: 9
QuentinQuatermass
Ha I enjoyed this. Im an old guy who swapped a dying automatic transmission for a manual in my first car, a 1959 Ford Fairlane (that had been hit by a bus) What a job even back then I got all the parts at a junk yard (except a brand new clutch plate) and worked on it all weekend. And the next and the next. When I started it up and drove it around the block I realized I connected my Hurst floor shift linkage wrong. And the throwout bearing was too rough. Fixed that over another weekend and it seemed ok but later I had to swap the rear end, I think the auto used a 3. 20 gear ratio which was too low for the manual so I had to get something like a 3. 55. Anyway, it did end up working fine even though it was my first major auto repair job. What a job though 50 years and I still remember it. I cant imagine what a pain it would be on todays cars - as you pointed out Besides, Im 70 now and pay someone else to work on my cars.
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Ha I enjoyed this. Im an old guy who swapped a dying automatic transmission for a manual in my first car, a 1959 Ford Fairlane (that had been hit by a bus) What a job even back then I got all the parts at a junk yard (except a brand new clutch plate) and worked on it all weekend. And the next and the next. When I started it up and drove it around the block I realized I connected my Hurst floor shift linkage wrong. And the throwout bearing was too rough. Fixed that over another weekend and it seemed ok but later I had to swap the rear end, I think the auto used a 3. 20 gear ratio which was too low for the manual so I had to get something like a 3. 55. Anyway, it did end up working fine even though it was my first major auto repair job. What a job though 50 years and I still remember it. I cant imagine what a pain it would be on todays cars - as you pointed out Besides, Im 70 now and pay someone else to work on my cars.
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Max Jonson
I did the opposite, I had a Bas model2001 Cavalier that was originally a manual trans with a 2. 2 engine. I had to get rid of the old 2. 2 since it was leaking and burning oil at an alarming rate. So I took a wrecked 2000 Cavalier Z24 and took everything that made it a Z24. Wheels and tires, suspension (which included a front anti-sway bar that wasnt original to the 2001 Cav) exhaust, wiring, computer, 2. 4 engine with a 4 spd auto. The worst part of that swap was the mounting brackets for both transmissions were completely different. I had to cut out the mounting bracket for the auto trans, cut out the manual trans bracket and weld in the auto trans bracket. then I had to close up the hole for the clutch master cylinder. It was worth it though, that base model 2001 Cavalier was kind of a sleeper and was much faster and handled way better after that.
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I did the opposite, I had a Bas model2001 Cavalier that was originally a manual trans with a 2. 2 engine. I had to get rid of the old 2. 2 since it was leaking and burning oil at an alarming rate. So I took a wrecked 2000 Cavalier Z24 and took everything that made it a Z24. Wheels and tires, suspension (which included a front anti-sway bar that wasnt original to the 2001 Cav) exhaust, wiring, computer, 2. 4 engine with a 4 spd auto. The worst part of that swap was the mounting brackets for both transmissions were completely different. I had to cut out the mounting bracket for the auto trans, cut out the manual trans bracket and weld in the auto trans bracket. then I had to close up the hole for the clutch master cylinder. It was worth it though, that base model 2001 Cavalier was kind of a sleeper and was much faster and handled way better after that.
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PracticalTech
This guy is not completely honest and simply does not truly know what he is talking about regarding many things. Yes, its a lot of work to change from automatic to manual, but there are many benefits. However, because of the time, expense, and labor involved, you might want to only do it to a vehicle you plan to keep for a long time. Naturally, it is usually easier with older vehicles than newer vehicles. To make it much easier, find a wrecked vehicle thats similar to your own that has the right parts in it, especially the clutch and brake pedals and hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinders. To agree with another comment: If everybody listened to what this guy says about cars or had a similar attitude, there would be no car/truck community and no DIY enthusiasts.
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This guy is not completely honest and simply does not truly know what he is talking about regarding many things. Yes, its a lot of work to change from automatic to manual, but there are many benefits. However, because of the time, expense, and labor involved, you might want to only do it to a vehicle you plan to keep for a long time. Naturally, it is usually easier with older vehicles than newer vehicles. To make it much easier, find a wrecked vehicle thats similar to your own that has the right parts in it, especially the clutch and brake pedals and hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinders. To agree with another comment: If everybody listened to what this guy says about cars or had a similar attitude, there would be no car/truck community and no DIY enthusiasts.
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Francisco Fernandes
To late. I just started AOD to T5 swap on my 91 Mustang. So far, its has not been fun. I just did the pedals right now and I still have a long way to go. The good thing is I dont have to change the computer. I also would not recommend it. I should have let the guy at a local shop do it for 1, 000 because he wanted his Mustang to be an automatic. It would have saved me the headache. Well, now I know. PS, there were more manual 5. 0 mustangs produced from 87-93 than automatics, but the bodies are now beat to hell. The only way to get a decent manual car for less that 6, 000 is to do the swap yourself. you can get a good strait unmolested automatic foxbody for about 3, 000 and people sell kits to do the swap for around 800 on Craigslist.
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To late. I just started AOD to T5 swap on my 91 Mustang. So far, its has not been fun. I just did the pedals right now and I still have a long way to go. The good thing is I dont have to change the computer. I also would not recommend it. I should have let the guy at a local shop do it for 1, 000 because he wanted his Mustang to be an automatic. It would have saved me the headache. Well, now I know. PS, there were more manual 5. 0 mustangs produced from 87-93 than automatics, but the bodies are now beat to hell. The only way to get a decent manual car for less that 6, 000 is to do the swap yourself. you can get a good strait unmolested automatic foxbody for about 3, 000 and people sell kits to do the swap for around 800 on Craigslist.
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askpatrick
I just did that on a 2008 Kia picanto. I found one at a scrap yard that had a standard transmission and just took everything I needed. Transmission, shifter cables, pedals (all three, as there wont be space for Just the clutch pedal, harness, shifter. This works best on cars that come with both automatic and standard options and as most the mounting points and holes etc with be available on the frame. So find the manual counterpart of you vehicle at a scrap yard and go for it. Just remember, with a standard it will not be possible to red-line your car and demand more power than the engine was designed to put out. Youll end up damaging your engine like I did. But for me it was still absolutely worth it. Id do it again. Good luck.
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I just did that on a 2008 Kia picanto. I found one at a scrap yard that had a standard transmission and just took everything I needed. Transmission, shifter cables, pedals (all three, as there wont be space for Just the clutch pedal, harness, shifter. This works best on cars that come with both automatic and standard options and as most the mounting points and holes etc with be available on the frame. So find the manual counterpart of you vehicle at a scrap yard and go for it. Just remember, with a standard it will not be possible to red-line your car and demand more power than the engine was designed to put out. Youll end up damaging your engine like I did. But for me it was still absolutely worth it. Id do it again. Good luck.
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Jay Barker
Scotty, you cant get a car with a manual trans unless you(Almost literally) stick a gun in the dealers ear. They have to special order one from the factory. Theyd rather take a loss on some P. O. S. that they already have on the lot. Dont get cars that run on Micro-Soft. Fire it up one day and the Info-center tells you: .Sorry, your software is now out of date. Upgrades are NOT available for your current O. S(End Program) Cars with gearboxes dont need computers. I have an 83 Porsche 928 with ONLY 180K miles on it. It runs great and has NO COMPUTER. Bosch K-Jet F. I. Hagertys has lifted the 5000 mile limit. If you dont drive them, they fall apart. I designed my cars to be DRIVEN, not polished. DR. ING h. c. F PORSCHE.
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Scotty, you cant get a car with a manual trans unless you(Almost literally) stick a gun in the dealers ear. They have to special order one from the factory. Theyd rather take a loss on some P. O. S. that they already have on the lot. Dont get cars that run on Micro-Soft. Fire it up one day and the Info-center tells you: .Sorry, your software is now out of date. Upgrades are NOT available for your current O. S(End Program) Cars with gearboxes dont need computers. I have an 83 Porsche 928 with ONLY 180K miles on it. It runs great and has NO COMPUTER. Bosch K-Jet F. I. Hagertys has lifted the 5000 mile limit. If you dont drive them, they fall apart. I designed my cars to be DRIVEN, not polished. DR. ING h. c. F PORSCHE.
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qaz3000
You just need to pIan ahead Scotty I went on a road trip this summer to find the cleanest Tercel in Canada ( It was my first car ) Needless to say it wasnt manual, it only took me a 3 days weekend to do the swap BUT I am a mechanic/shop owner and before starting, I gathered every part needed so that I had everything in hand and I had designed my plans for the wiring prior to doing it, so I didnt have to stop to think about anything I had allready planned every step in my head. I actually encourage people to do so, it is very rewarding in the end when your power shifting it and everyone knew it was an automatic Just my 2 cents.
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You just need to pIan ahead Scotty I went on a road trip this summer to find the cleanest Tercel in Canada ( It was my first car ) Needless to say it wasnt manual, it only took me a 3 days weekend to do the swap BUT I am a mechanic/shop owner and before starting, I gathered every part needed so that I had everything in hand and I had designed my plans for the wiring prior to doing it, so I didnt have to stop to think about anything I had allready planned every step in my head. I actually encourage people to do so, it is very rewarding in the end when your power shifting it and everyone knew it was an automatic Just my 2 cents.
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GTA Ashwagandha Man
I read something about this that this guy has an automatic 1994 chevy cavalier z24, he said he hated himself and the car so much swapping in the NVG 550 manual from the Th-125 automatic it took him almost 3 weeks and he was relieved that it was so successful, he is now happy and having the fun of his life with it. I am looking into doing the same with my 1993 chevrolet cavalier Z24 the automatic is iffy at times I like the reliability of the manual and fun, i found a pontiac Fiero specialist that is willing to do it for me THANK GOD Im on a roll now, all those parts though holy mackerel
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I read something about this that this guy has an automatic 1994 chevy cavalier z24, he said he hated himself and the car so much swapping in the NVG 550 manual from the Th-125 automatic it took him almost 3 weeks and he was relieved that it was so successful, he is now happy and having the fun of his life with it. I am looking into doing the same with my 1993 chevrolet cavalier Z24 the automatic is iffy at times I like the reliability of the manual and fun, i found a pontiac Fiero specialist that is willing to do it for me THANK GOD Im on a roll now, all those parts though holy mackerel
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Collin Eastman
With all due respect i have to disagree with Scotty here. I swapped to a manual with 120, 000 less miles on a 2005 ford focus and the body of the car was designed for both configurations(no fabrication needed) If you have a nearby scrapyard or scrap car its actually a fun and cost effective project. Although it is true that several parts need to be swapped too like driveshafts, ecu/pcm, wiring harnesses, ignition must match the computer. But my auto already had holes for everything like master cylinder and shift cables, even has the same mounting bracket for both transmissions
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With all due respect i have to disagree with Scotty here. I swapped to a manual with 120, 000 less miles on a 2005 ford focus and the body of the car was designed for both configurations(no fabrication needed) If you have a nearby scrapyard or scrap car its actually a fun and cost effective project. Although it is true that several parts need to be swapped too like driveshafts, ecu/pcm, wiring harnesses, ignition must match the computer. But my auto already had holes for everything like master cylinder and shift cables, even has the same mounting bracket for both transmissions
reply
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