Hi! Im 13 right now and i plan to buy a project fiero by the time im 14. I prefer a manual transmission and the 86 4cyl im looking at is an automatic. Is there a way i can get a transmission swap? Or should i just look for one that is already a manual?
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03:49 PM
PFF
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shawnk Member
Posts: 968 From: San Francisco, California, USA Registered: Mar 2008
Transmissions are relatively to swap Into these cars since all the chassis are set up for either. That being said it is an extensive process. I would wait till you can find a manual car. It sounds like it will be a bit before you can drive it anyway.
If the auto car has sentimental value or is just really nice you will need a donor for the manual parts. It leaps to have both cars together and swap the parts straight across
Tranny, shifter, cables, pedal box, clutch hydroulics, and some wiring modifications.
Good luck!
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04:25 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 41252 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
In short swapping an auto for a manual requires the following parts:
1: Stick flywheel & complete clutch assembly 2. The GETRAG or Muncie transmisson 3. Manual type CV axles 4. Clutch Master cylinder 5. Clutch Slave Cylinder banjo rod and Flex line 6. hydraulic line 7. Clutch pedal assembly 8. Manual safety switch and B.U. Light switch 9. The complete 4 or 5 speed shifter mechanism, shift handle and shift cables 10. A Fiero manual console 11. A slight tweak to the ECM program 12. The manual transmission brackets
While its been done before this is not an easy job. IMO with this much work it is far better to swap in the 4T60 4 speed auto but admittedly some guys like the feel of the stick.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Welcome to the forum. Its nice to see a young person still showing interest in our little cars.
Yes you can but it would be much better to just find a nice manual car. If you are really wanting to keep the car you have then find a parts car and swap everything over.
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07:30 PM
fierosound Member
Posts: 15251 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
I did the swap. Unless you're an experienced and mechanically inclined, you're better off getting a manual car to begin with. The cheapest way to make the swap is to buy a "parts car" to pull the parts from. I'll make some mad, but you might as well buy a V6 car to begin with. I know all of this costs more money, but you might as well buy what you want the first time (don't ask how I know this).
I did the swap. Unless you're an experienced and mechanically inclined, you're better off getting a manual car to begin with.
Sounds like you haven't even bought a car yet. In that case DON'T buy the automatic.
By the time you add up the initial cost of the car and the expense of the transmission swap (this will cost money too you know) PLUS the time/labor involved, you're better off to get the car you want in the first place. Wait and look and find a 5-speed.
Doing an automatic to manual swap is only worth it IF your car already had lots of other work and money tied up in it.
Just get a car with a manual transmission, you will be much happier, the conversion will be expensive.
I have an '86 SE parts car V6 manual (rust bucket), I drove this car alot but it had too much rust to deal with, I used alot of this car to build up my '88 Formula (rust free) that was equipped with an automatic. My goal was to put the 4 speed into the '88, but after driving the '88 with the auto, I decided to wait on the conversion... if I ever do it. I have read about doing the conversion, and I could do it without a problem... and I have every piece to my disposal... but I just dont want to go through the hassel at this time. The automatic is very nice to drive, just wish it had an overdrive gear.
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11:41 AM
fierosound Member
Posts: 15251 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
Along this same line, what one fellow a while back really wanted was a GT fastback V6 with 5-speed (87 & 88 only) - but all he could find locally was an 84 Coupe 4-cylinder automatic. He had planned to buy it anyway (too excited to keep looking) and then swap in a V6 5-speed and find the the GT bodywork to swap over.
Luckily, he came to PFF for advice about this and we pointed out that even if he got all the "swap parts" for free, there's still new parts he would need for the engine, trans, clutch and perhaps the body and the car would ultimately need to be repainted too - not cheap if you want more than a "splash job".
He kept looking and eventually found an '88 GT V6 5-speed a few states away for a bit more money.
Sure, he had to go get it and paid a bit more, but in in the long run it cost LESS, because other than a tune-up and some maintenance issues he didn't have to do a lot of work on it.
A lot of people here have found out that buying that $500 "fixer-upper" that they would fix up themselves, cost a lot more in the long run than the "very good condition" $2500 car they actually wanted in the first place.
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 01-06-2013).]
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07:20 PM
phonedawgz Member
Posts: 17104 From: Green Bay, WI USA Registered: Dec 2009
+1 on piling on. If it were me, and I am also have done this swap, I would pass on the wrong car and keep on looking for the right car. The time and money you will save by getting the right car you can use for the things you will want to do to it. You are way farther ahead by starting so many steps ahead.
With all the right parts it is a very easy swap to do, I would rather convert an auto to manual on a good car any day over taking a manual car in lesser shape just to avoid some work. Think about it we are talking about 25 plus year old cars here so condition is more important then which tranny it has in my opinion. I couldn't tell you how many manual cars I have converted to auto and vise versa to manual doing 3800SC swaps over the years with no problems, just a matter of having the parts and the time to do it. Dan
------------------
Over 10 years of full 3800 swaps and harnesses and still going.
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09:21 PM
qwikgta Member
Posts: 4671 From: Virginia Beach, VA Registered: Jan 2001
im doing a manual to auto swap now. I"ll just say what other have said, get the car with the trans you want first. It can be done, but its so much work. The little things just never end.
I agree, hold on the purchase and look around and find a manual. I did the swap from auto to manual and it was not easy but luckily I used the forum to get all the info I needed and when I ran into a problem I just posted on line and it was answered. My car had an auto tranny that died on me and I always wanted a 5 speed so this was the perfect time to do it. I can honestly say though if it wasn't for this site I would not have succeeded in installing it. Since you haven't bought the car yet I would look for a manual. Good luck to you.
