Nervous about trannie swap

[Vertigoomg]

I'm sure all of you have covered the details of a trannie swap, but I'm nervous as all holy hell about it, because... car electronics scare me. What problems will I have to tackle during a trannie swap? I plan on disassembling the trannie and putting whatever parts I have to put in there to make it worthwhile, and I'm also considering taking appart the lower half of the engine to replace bearings. I'm just really scared of ****ing up my car doing this after ****ing up the Hi/low beams mod...

Thanks for any info.

[Low Saturn]

There are very litte electronics involved in a tranny swap.

[SKILMATIC]

Well may I ask you what are you putting in there vice what you already have? Or is it the same tranny just replacing it?

[Vertigoomg]

MP7 to MP3. I need help with knowing stuff, like the engine cradle and such, so I know what to take out first.

[Vertigoomg]

Remove transaxle mount-to-cradle nuts. (15mm socket needed)

Remove steering rack to cradle nuts (1/2" socket needed for bolts, 15mm socket needed for nuts). The bolt nearest the transaxle may not come out. Remove the nut and leave the bolt there until the cradle is removed.

Remove the brake line bracket plastic rivet at the rear of the cradle.

These are confusing for me. Any help would be appreciated. Note: Either use pictures or be VERY detailed! I haven't gotten further than this, so I'm not sure what else will confuse me.

[Low Saturn]

http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...anny_swap.html

[Zorak]

so about how much is it to have a shop swap an auto for a manual? would this be done at saturn or at another shop?

[Red97sc2]

Originally Posted by Zorak

so about how much is it to have a shop swap an auto for a manual? would this be done at saturn or at another shop?

Well, my experience with "just" a clutch/flywheel swap-install is: Local shops wanted between $740 and $800. I drove 4 hours to this place:

www.streetdesignauto.com

and had it done for $220. Add on to that the gas and the clutch and fluid and I saved about $300 - $400 dollars.

[Vertigoomg]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

Except I live waaaaaaaaaay out in BFE, man. SDA is too damn far away for me.

[twosaturns]

Originally Posted by Vertigoomg

I'm sure all of you have covered the details of a trannie swap, but I'm nervous as all holy hell about it, because... car electronics scare me. What problems will I have to tackle during a trannie swap? I plan on disassembling the trannie and putting whatever parts I have to put in there to make it worthwhile, and I'm also considering taking appart the lower half of the engine to replace bearings. I'm just really scared of ****ing up my car doing this after ****ing up the Hi/low beams mod...

Thanks for any info.

sorry to say, but you need to cut your teeth on easier stuff first. I would put manual conversions high on the list of difficulty. for those w/ experience and perfect circumstances, it's still an all day job. there is so much to it: pulling the drive axles, struts, installing the shifter, running the cables, getting all the right brackets- heck, installing the clutch actuator w/o messing it up is a PITA! don't attempt something like this if wires or metric bolt sizes scare you. a saturn store won't do it for you either. you're better off selling the car and buying what you want.

[Zorak]

where are the sda guys located

[Vertigoomg]

Well, it's actually been pretty easy so far. It's just the damn control arms that are causing all the problems. I'll probably head out there again to try s'more... *sighs* Yes, it's a tough job after all.

[Jeremy97sc]

Tranny pull/swap on a saturn=teh eaaaaasy...

IF you have all the right tools before you start.

[twosaturns]

Originally Posted by Vertigoomg

Well, it's actually been pretty easy so far. It's just the damn control arms that are causing all the problems. I'll probably head out there again to try s'more... *sighs* Yes, it's a tough job after all.

I would expect you are having trouble separating the ball joint from the knuckle. another pain/time waster. haynes manual says to rap the side of the knuckle w/ a hammer- works sometimes. then you'll have trouble getting the axles out of the tranny. you have to pry them out. DON"T TRY TO PULL THEM OUT! they have to be pried out, w/ a crowbar between the inner flange and trans housing.

[Vertigoomg]

Thanks a lot, you guys. It seems the project will _eventually_ get done. There will be very large obstacles in the way. Now, I'm having trouble removing the downpipe from the manifold. Any suggestions? The studs/bolts are so rusted in, they're being a PITA to remove.

[twosaturns]

I cut mine, 'cause I was putting a new header in anyway, but if you are keeping yours intact, the only thing is to soak the studs real good w/ a good penetrant like liquid wrench. then, get a new 6 point socket on there (is it 13mm?), a long extension bar, and a good long breaker bar on there. if the socket is on there tight, you should be able to break it loose. you may also snap the stud. in that case, pull the manifold off the engine and drill out the studs. I wouldn't try to drill them out w/ the manifold still installed.

[Vertigoomg]

Good advice. Now, I'm in the process of removing the axles (and replacing the front brakes while I'm at it ) before the trannie comes down. It seems it'll be downhill from here. My uncle even said he'd help.

[dudeimdaryll]

i threw my clutch fork through my bell housing from side stepping the clutch and had to do a trans swap back in december. it was no problem, and my car still shifts like a dream.

[Vertigoomg]

Kickass. For an update for those who give a %$&@, I'm down to simply dropping the auto and getting started on the manual. It's been a 5-day thing so far, and it's probably going to end on the 7th day. Brakes and such will come later.