2003 Vue replace VTi with 5 speed?

[nlandas]

Hello Saturn ?Fans?,

Does anyone know if it's possible to replace a VTi transmission in a 2003 Vue with a manual transmission. Mine just completely died after being babied since about 34,000 miles. Yes, others would say at 116,000 you got a good run.

I say, baloney - my wife's 1994 SL2 is still on the road and running fine with only minor repairs.

Obviously, I don't want to put another Very Terrible idea transmission in there.

So, experts is there a way to put a manual tranny in the car?

-Nyle

[Two Shoes]

I'd recommend reading oleg1969's thread here:

www-dot-saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92403

Forum rules prevent me from posting actual URLs yet. Replace the "-dot-" with a "."

Cheers,
Two Shoes

[nlandas]

I'd recommend reading oleg1969's thread here:

www-dot-saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92403

Forum rules prevent me from posting actual URLs yet. Replace the "-dot-" with a "."

Cheers,
Two Shoes

Thanks Two shoes. So it's very possible if I were a mechanic or know a good one.

Thanks. 8^)

[bestharry]

Hi,
Another newbie on this site.
I have a choice of buying two vue's. 1st- 2003 4cyl withblown VTi transmission @165K Kms and
2nd- 2003 4cyl with 5 speed manual transmission @ 185K Kms accidental damage to body - all electrical and powertrain is intact.

My question is that if I buy both of them and have them on my driveway then the engine/transmission swap is do-able at home by renting a engine lift?

Can someone tell me if the powerterrain on these vehicles comes out from the top or below the compartment? If from the top then can I manage to pull them out without venting my airconditioning system?

Thanks in advance - Harry

[Two Shoes]

Hi,
Another newbie on this site.

Welcome to the forums from a not-so-new newbie. I think you'll find the folks here very knowledgeable and friendly. :)




Can someone tell me if the powerterrain on these vehicles comes out from the top or below the compartment? If from the top then can I manage to pull them out without venting my airconditioning system?

Thanks in advance - Harry

I can't answer the A/C question, but perhaps member IMkenNY's pictures at the link below can help you with the powertrain question:

www-dot-saturnfans.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/5260

(Forum rules restrict my ability to post real URLs. Just replace the "-dot-" with a "." and the link will work.)

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Cheers,
Two Shoes

[3RedLines]

The powertrain comes out from the bottom, and yes it can be done without venting the AC.

[bestharry]

The powertrain comes out from the bottom, and yes it can be done without venting the AC.

Thanks guys,
The powertrain comes out from bottom means that the engine also comes out from bottom without seperating it from tranny?

[bestharry]

Checked the pictures there and came up with another question.
Is it required to remove everything from the front - Radiator, bumber, lights etc to do this swap?

[3RedLines]

Is it required to remove everything from the front - Radiator, bumber, lights etc to do this swap?

You would most likely have to remove the headlights to tie the radiator to the radiator support. The entire lower subframe along with the engine and trans has to be removed and the subframe supports the radiator. You need to leave the radiator and condenser installed if you don't want to vent the AC freon.
It's a pretty big job, but its not as bad as it sounds.

[bestharry]

Another last question before I take over this project.

So you think, its doable on driveway with some help from friends and using ramp, jacks/supports and a engine lift?

[3RedLines]

It's doable but you would need a jack capable of jacking up the vehicle high enough to pull the subframe-powertrain assembly from under the body.

On the ones I've done I disconnected everything that needed to be loose, lowered the vehicle down til the subframe is almost on the ground, supported the subframe on a couple of platforms with wheels (about the height of a creeper), removed the 4 subframe bolts and jacked up the front of the vehicle until the assembly could be rolled out from under the vehicle. No engine lift required. Your mileage may vary :)

[bestharry]

Thanks 3Redlines,
This have brought up my moral level high enough to go ahead with the project. Hopefully I will make the deal with both of them tonight and have them toed to my budd'y drive way by tomorrow.
Will defiantely keep you posted on how this goes !:stoplight

[Two Shoes]

Thanks 3Redlines,
This have brought up my morale level high enough to go ahead with the project. Hopefully I will make the deal with both of them tonight and have them towed to my buddy's drive way by tomorrow.
Will definitely keep you posted on how this goes!

I'm curious: what do you plan to do with the donor vehicle once you're finished? Are you going to try to sell parts from it?

I have a 2004 Vue which has only manual door locks. To install a after-market remote keyless entry device (because trying to tie-in to my Vue's existing BCM and wiring harness for a fully integrated keyless entry would be too big a project), I'd still need door actuators.

After you've tackled your project, if you're game, might you be interested in selling some parts?

Thanks.

Two Shoes

[bestharry]

Appologies for the delay two shoes.
I just came back from a 5 day road trip and managed to get both vehicles towed to my bodyshop guy ( I will use his shop because he has a hoist and a engine lift that i can use).
I just did a quick inspection of both vehicles and the job doesnt look too tricky.
YES, I will be willing to sell parts from the left over vehicle. As far as the door actuators are concerned, I will have to check the passenger front door before I can tell you that I have a full set.(this door took the impact of the accident and has broken glass and outer shell)

Can someone confirm if I will need to replace the instrument cluster as well becuase the user handbook mentiones the 'Arrow' light for manual vehicles?Is clutch peddal just and addition or will I ave to replace the whole assembly?

[3RedLines]

The instrument clusters are the same.
The clutch and brake pedals should be swapped from the manual trans car. Also consider swapping the plate the master cylinders mount on(#8 in the link http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=214300&chapter=DR8ID02&appSectionid=2600&groupid=2600&subgroupid=2604&componentid=2618&make=31&model=Vue&year=2003&graphicID=ID02300&callout=8&catalogid=2) ,otherwise you would have to cut a hole and drill some holes for the clutch master cyl

[bestharry]

Thanks again. You guys are very quick n' helpful and hope I will not have any regrets for buying a VUE :)
I will start working on it tomorrow and will keep you posted on progress.

[Two Shoes]

Apologies for the delay two shoes.

No worries. That's the problem with life: it often gets in the way of the important stuff like our hobbies... ;)

I just came back from a 5 day road trip and managed to get both vehicles towed to my bodyshop guy ( I will use his shop because he has a hoist and a engine lift that i can use).
I just did a quick inspection of both vehicles and the job doesn't look too tricky.
YES, I will be willing to sell parts from the left over vehicle. As far as the door actuators are concerned, I will have to check the passenger front door before I can tell you that I have a full set.(this door took the impact of the accident and has broken glass and outer shell)

Understood. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Can someone confirm if I will need to replace the instrument cluster as well because the user handbook mentions the 'Arrow' light for manual vehicles? Is clutch pedal just an addition or will I have to replace the whole assembly?

It's a good thing that 3RedLines already answered this, as I haven't a clue here.

Best of luck. Enjoy! --Two Shoes

[bestharry]

OK..The new powertrain from the other truck is in but still couldnt finish the subframe part. The subframe bolts were such a PIA for the second one - nuts spinned free on all of them.
My worries now:
What all will I have to open inside the cabin to replace the pedals and for the part # 8 which definately need the AC to be vented so I might think of just drill few holes in the existing plate. A step by step for this will be highly appreciated.

[3RedLines]

You may just need to remove the lower dash under the steering wheel to replace the pedals. Keep in mind that you will probably have to replace the dash wiring harness and BCM, so a complete dash removal will be necessary.

There are 4 nuts and 1 bolt holding the brake pedal bracket and 3 nuts and 1 bolt holding the clutch pedal bracket(see pics below)
.
To modify the plate first you will have to remove 2 round head bolts leaving 2 holes for the clutch bracket. This will not be easy as this requires much cursing to get the spot welded bolts out. I gave up trying to beat them out with a hammer and took an air chisel to the bolt heads from the outside, they popped right off, sort of (again, see pic below). Use a hole saw to cut a hole for the clutch rod and drill a hole for the 3rd clutch pedal bracket stud. use the doner vehicle as a pattern for the holes.

I hope you find this somewhat helpful :yes:

[bestharry]

Thanks again 3RedLines,
These pictures are very helpful. I have finished the engine tranny part. It didnt started at first and after swaping the BCM and the ignition tumbler with the donor one, I could get it to go but I guess I will have to figure ot a way to replace only the resistance part of the tumbler or swap the key cylinde from mine to the one from the donor one. I just connected the one from donor one to start the vehicle and it runs nice n smooth.
Havent done any changes with the dash harness and all I am planning to do is to add the clutch safety switch in series with the starter wire.

The cluth pedal from the donor one didnt came off even after removing all the hardwarevut its just getting stuck with the steering motor at the back and I wonder if I will have to loosen that part or just abuse it a bit to pull the padel assembly out and then will move on to drilling part followed by brake padel assy. removal and installation.

[bestharry]

Undate!

Finally finished doing all the modifications and installation of pedals. It was getting dark and I ran out of fluid for bleeding the clutch. I tried with what ever was in the reservoir but that didnt help making the pressure. Any special tricks in bleeding the clutch system?

My Vue had 165 K on it and the dinor had 179K on it but now after all the surgery, The cluster shows 201K on it. Can it be set to correct reading? What will I need to do to get it straight and can anyone except stealership would do that? I am going to continue tonight after work and hopefully will be able to get a test drive.

[Two Shoes]

My Vue had 165 K on it and the donor had 179K on it but now after all the surgery, The cluster shows 201K on it. Can it be set to correct reading? What will I need to do to get it straight and can anyone except stealership would do that? I am going to continue tonight after work and hopefully will be able to get a test drive.

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137237

Perhaps it'll help with some of your questions?

--Two Shoes

[Two Shoes]

My Vue had 165 K on it and the dinor had 179K on it but now after all the surgery, The cluster shows 201K on it. Can it be set to correct reading? What will I need to do to get it straight and can anyone except stealership would do that? I am going to continue tonight after work and hopefully will be able to get a test drive.

Found another thread that may have the answer, although one you may not like:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97578

Cheers.

[bestharry]

Thanks for the links Two Shoes,
I finally had a very small test run yesterday just on the street and everything sseems to work normal. There is some noise similar to a muffler leak somewhere in the front which I am assuming is the flexhose part just after the manifold -will think abou tit later.

Called Dealership and as experienced by many people before, They denied from programing it to correct mileage even if I am able to provide them with all service records untill the tranny failed in apr 09. He said that they can do it only if I go thru a lawyer and provide swearing affidavit and approval from the transport ministry besudes that I will have to buy a BCM from them.:hothead:

All in all, I decided to drive it with cluster showing 201K on it.