Transmission swap

[the_weber]

on the LD9 what exactly is going to be needed to do the transmission swap? how hard will it be? what will I need to do?

[sleepyalero]

are you just putting in a new stock one, or what? putting that would help someone in answering your question.

[the_weber]

yes just a used stock one

[Greencoupe2.2]

I think he also wanted to know if you were converting from auto to manual

[sleepyalero]

well i was just asking because when i think of a trans "swap" i think of it putting a different transmission in. (non stock)

[heineck]

u gotta remove the axles, the cooler lines and harness, then u gotta remove the 3 mounts on the tranny: front side back. remove all the bellhousing bolts, theres a sneaky one on the bottom thats backwards, remove the 3 15mm torque converter to flywheel bolts and split and lift up.... just pull the engine/tranny as a combo and split once its out. not that much work. just take your time and keep ur bolts in a box or bucket so nothing gets lost.

[the_weber]

I think he also wanted to know if you were converting from auto to manual
would it be hard to go from a auto to manual?

u gotta remove the axles, the cooler lines and harness, then u gotta remove the 3 mounts on the tranny: front side back. remove all the bellhousing bolts, theres a sneaky one on the bottom thats backwards, remove the 3 15mm torque converter to flywheel bolts and split and lift up.... just pull the engine/tranny as a combo and split once its out. not that much work. just take your time and keep ur bolts in a box or bucket so nothing gets lost.

ok. Theres no way to do it without removing the engine?

[wrestlingandrunning]

Drop the subframe and you wouldn't have to pull the motor.

[the_weber]

how would i do that?

[xXManwhoreXx]

You would drop the subframe by dropping the subframe....

[sleepyalero]

^^ haha

[the_weber]

So helpful. Ive never worked on FWD cars or cars in general before. Jsut jeeps and trucks. So please explain further

[sleepyalero]

http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32652

pic at bottom of first page... thats the subframe.. i posted that thread awhile back, and some of the stuff in there might be helpful... idk i didnt read it i just remembered that one thread i posted someone had a pic of it in there.

so here ya go.

[the_weber]

So how would I drop the subframe? Or was that a joke? because that sounds way easier (I have a lift and a 40x80 shop with 30 grand worth of tools)

[sleepyalero]

un bolt it.

[the_weber]

Thats it???? Why doesnt everyone just do that for the tranny swap? Will the engine fit out too?

[widbyj]

Yes, it all comes out in one big/heavy piece. Assuming you have a hoist this is by far the easiest way to do it. Basically you support the subframe on some jackstands, disconnect everything from the top down (leaving all the wires, hoses and crap in the engine bay), unbolt the subframe and then lift the car up and out of the way. Do the necessary engine and tranny work. Lower the car back onto the subframe and reconnect everything. One day of shop time and no issue with bolts you can't see/reach etc...

[sleepyalero]

i had my buddy do a rebuild on mine for me.... he dropped the subframe and pulled the tranny in his garage... wonder how much of a pain that was.. lol

[the_weber]

So If I have me, a lift, 2 extra guys, and every tool you could ever imagine this should be doable in about 10 hours? for a first timer?

[AleroB888]

So If I have me, a lift, 2 extra guys, and every tool you could ever imagine this should be doable in about 10 hours? for a first timer?

If I had to do that again, I would definitely take it out the top. Neither method is easy at all.

In Denver, the local AAMCO said they would do it for $500 if I provided the tranny. I would have done that, but there were too many non-stock items on my car to trust anybody else with.

Aside from the sheer dead weight of the subframe, wheel hubs and all, the hardest part for us was reinstalling the steering column coupler in correct alignment. In any event, count on doing a front end alignment if you drop the subframe.

[the_weber]

If I had to do that again, I would definitely take it out the top. Neither method is easy at all.

In Denver, the local AAMCO said they would do it for $500 if I provided the tranny. I would have done that, but there were too many non-stock items on my car to trust anybody else with.

Aside from the sheer dead weight of the subframe, wheel hubs and all, the hardest part for us was reinstalling the steering column coupler in correct alignment. In any event, count on doing a front end alignment if you drop the subframe.

when I said any tools imaginable that includes a Snap-On Sensor Four Wheel Alignment Machine (I love this fucking machine) ha so alignment isn't a problem.


Now my other question would be how much harder would it be to convert to manual? would it be worth it?