I'm the guy that always pops in to say "Don't forget the trans mounts are different!" because I swapped everything over, talked with people on the list who had done the swap, and talked me through everything, only to have the transmission mount to the body not to line up correctly. Luckily I didn't get rid of my parts car, I walked out to it at 11:30 at night with a flashlight, and saw they were set up differently. Matt Colwell 86 T-Top Turbo~Z 86 Turbo~Z Project: Daytona 87 Shadow ES 02 S~10 4X4 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tue, 1 May 2007 2:41 PM Subject: Re: SD> Automatic to Manual swap or NOT!
I'm about to do the same on my 87 Sundance. Mostly because I just detest the 3-speed so much (not to say it can't be made better it just doesn't fit my driving style or how the car has been configured) So I've got a flywheel ready to go and I'm hoping to pick up an OBX diferential soon to go into the 520/555 hybrid that I'm thinking of building. Anyway, the consoles are the same between auto/manual, the auto gate just screws or snaps into place. So just pop it out and put in a factory boot from another Daytona/Lebaron or a boot of your choice. Make sure you fool the neutral safety switch or the car won't start after the swap. If you can't find a boot locally, let me know and I'll check my parts stash. The shifter bases and cables are vehicle specific, so you'll get to hunt down those parts for your Daytona. I might have one for the older transaxles, not the newer ones. Another issue you'll have to watch for is the K-frame mount for the extra transaxle mount the 5-speed cars used. Not hard to add with a welder or you can swap K-members with a 5-speed car (you'll need to canabalize one to get the pedal assembly, clutch cbale brackets, etc. If you need to replace the suspension bushings or you want to upgrade to the newer style K-member and control arms (I would recommend this for the older cars, just grab one from the same body style and match the uprights with the K-member), 10 bolts and the K-frame is out and on the ground. I think Polybushings.com sold a tab to weld onto the K-frames at one point. 5-speeds are all over the place but I suggest going for the newest one possible (meaning the A-523/A568) as they have better shifters and tend be less abused. Plus the 523/568 are essentially the same as the non-turbo neon transaxles so their performance parts will fit (shifters, shifter bushings and differentials) Just watch the final drive gearing and the clutch spline count as 1991 was a change over year on the input splines. The Spirit R/T clutch set seems to be the hot setup for many people with warmed up street cars. For more serious people, there are ceramic clutches, etc. Ideally you'd find a 91 or 92 5-speed turbo Daytona to steal parts off of, that way you can get the better brakes, suspension and 5-speed for your ride. Good luck, Stefan Mullikin Portland, OR PNW-SDAC Founding Member 1979 Porsche 924 (Carrera GTS Replica and GRM $2007 Challenger) 1980 Fiat X-1/9 (never ending 2.2 turbo swap) 1987 Plymouth Sundance Turbo (Daily Driver) 1987 Shelby CSX #106 -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Chris VanKauwenberg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I have an 86' Laser XT that is in excellent,untouched condition (cosmetically). > I've installed a few mods and now I'm left with a difficult choice. The 3 speed > auto kills my performance. I know Cindy and others sell a good 3 speed for > around $1,500 (which I'm not afraid to pay). On the otherhand, my only > hesitation to swapping out the tranny for a manual is the condition of the > vehicle..... as the console and everything else is in excellent condition. Are > the automatic consoles in these cars the same as a manual console? Can a > shifter boot be installed where the gear selection indicator is located or do I > have to swap out the whole console? I don't know if I'll ever find a manual > console with the same features in this kind of condition (not worth it to me if > this is how it is). I'm picky like that : ) > > Any opinions on the above is appreciated...manual vs. automatic...and/or > console tips. Driving the car would definitely be more enjoyable with a manual, > and it would be nice not to hear my engine screaming at 3300-3500 rpm at around > 70mph. > > Thanks, > Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----------------------REMOVE-FOOTER-WHEN-REPLYING---------------------------- Questions? Visit http://www.sdml.org/ To be removed, visit http://www.sdml.org/pages/leave.html -----------------------REMOVE-FOOTER-WHEN-REPLYING---------------------------- Questions? Visit http://www.sdml.org/ To be removed, visit http://www.sdml.org/pages/leave.html
