2002-2003 vs. 2004-2007 manual transmission

[jmullen0125]

Hi all,

I'm looking to replace a manual trans in a 2002, 2.2L, FWD Vue. In looking around online I'm finding some people who claim the manual trans is the same from '02-'05 and other places (car-part.com) are showing that '02-'03 are one style and '04-'07 are another style.

What do the experts say? Has anyone seen an '02 and '05 manual trans side-by-side or know if there are differences?

Thanks in advance for the help!!
-James

[jmullen0125]

wow, no one knows if/what the differences are? I'm a little surprised and disappointed all at the same time.

[far2grumpy]

C'mon Jim ... Please don't be surprised and disappointed.

AFAIK - there are few professional Saturn mechs and techs hanging around the Vue forum.

I wouldn't know a Vue 5-speed if it was setting on my foot, but according to service manual - 2002 - 2007 Vue's use same RPO ... MG3.

I Googled MG3 and found one INTERNET parts dealers sells all sort of innards for the transmission and all indicated applicability for years 2002 - 2007.

Wikipedia indicates the MG3 started life as a Getrag F23 - with GM using three versions M86, M94 and MG3 (indicates 2004 - 2007 MY).

It appears the MG3 is slightly more sturdy than other derivatives because the Vue is a heavy little sucker.

I checked RPO listings for 2002, 2003 and 2005 and all listed same gear ratios ... which are:

MG3 Transmission - MAN 5 SPD - Getrag 75 mm
3.58 1st
2.02 2nd
1.35 3rd
0.98 4th
0.81 5th

Does this mean there are no differences between years - beats me - I wouldn't even try to guarantee that ... thats why I didn't respond when you first posted the question.

[jmullen0125]

Thanks for the reply far2grumpy. I am usually pretty good with "the Google" but was striking out on finding interchange info. I went on all the parts websites I usually check to look for trans mounts, axle/CV shafts and clutches/bearings to see if power in and power out interfaces appeared to be the same... unfortunately, what I could find was limited. No mounts out there available, but I did find the clutch, axle/cv shafts, and speed sensors to be the same betwen 02-03 and 04-07. I hate to gamble on a $300-$500 transmission, but I may just do it so that I can post on here "IT WORKS!" or "F-ME, IT DOESN'T WORK."

Thanks again,
James

[caveeagle]

Well, without a side by side comparison, you could always check out all the related parts that connect with the powertrain and mounting points.

It should be pretty easy to cross refrence 6 or 10 parts to see if there is any major difference.

i.e.
>Clutch & TO bearing
>flywheel
>motor/trans mount
>speedo sensor
>shifter cables
>neutral safety switch ???
>Axle and intermidiate shafts
>Axle seals
>Gaskets etc.

There is probably a 0% chance that all these parts could match two different transmission.

[jmullen0125]

Thanks caveeagle, I actually did do some of that and was finding all major, replaceable interfacing parts to be the same. What I did find earlier this morning when searching on 'MG3' (thanks far2grumpy) was this (you'll have to copy and paste and replace those two pluses with t's since I'm not reputable enough to post links yet!):

h++p://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_product=3133453&ukey_assemb ly=363589&ukey_make=1031&ukey_model=14671&ukey_dri veline=0&ukey_trimlevel=0&modelYear=0

After looking at several other exploded views and diagrams, I gathered from that link/picture that the only real difference is the "transmission control housing." Since I just bought a 2005 trans today (right before I found this info), I think I'm going to just swap out that shift housing/assembly so that I don't have to change the cables, too..... if that's possible! My guess is that you could change to the cables and keep the newer control housing design, too; it would just cost extra money. Everything else in/on the trans appears to be the same, but I'll know with more certainty in the near future.

-James

[caveeagle]

That is good information. I keep seeing killer deals on 03-04 2.2 VUEs with blown auto trannys.

I would like to find a good 5spd doner car, buy a super cheap VUE that needs a tranny and do a 5spd swap. From your findings, it sounds like you could probably swap a 05+ 5spd into the 03/04 VUE as long as you use the matching shifter linkage.

I have been looking a salvaged (wrecked) spd cars. That seems liket he best way to get all the needed parts in one shot. i need to find out if the Clutch and shifter linkage for an '05 will work in a 03/04.

Also need know if you have to swap out the PCM etc.