Scottster Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 I know the manual swap topic has been beat to death, but I just thought I'd get some feed back, since I've been "seriously dreaming" about it for awhile now. First off, since I come across manual j-body 2.8/3.1 cars all the time, would it be wise to use this trans. or just wait to come across a w-body equiped with a stick? I would assume the shift linkage, and other hardware beyond the trans. itself would be completely different, no? Second, lets say I DID come across a manual 2.8 W car at a J/Y...could a friend and I realistically remove it, and all the manual componentry in a days work? I'm not scared to turn wrenches all day...I just wouldn't want it to be in vein if there's something I didn't know that would derail the effort. Third, my car being a 1990, has a vacuum controled auto, and thus I assume I wouldn't have alot of electrical gremlins to deal with (as someone would with the later computer managed autoboxes)? The scenario I've imagined up in my head would be 1) Committ myself to the project...LOL (should I find a doner car). 2) Gather all the necessary parts, and have the trans rebuilt so I know it's tits. 3)Remove as much trim as neccessary and possible until the car needs to be taken off the road for the dirty work. 4) rent a car 5) Have my trusted mechanic do the install (in the interst of my own time) 6)Put the rest of the car back together myself, and enjoy the damn thing with out thinking about the $ I just spent! lol Could some of you experienced "veterans" tell me how plausable all this sounds? I would like to do this next summer, should it be a realistic project for a car that is supposed to just get my to school. I LOVE the car though, and would like to keep it for a very long time...and I may as well enjoy it to the max, right? Just asking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 J body trans won't fit our cars. Look around, even check Craigslist, often a 5 speed equipped GP can be had for under $500 with a blown engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 I thought about purchasing a doner car...then I could just poke around with it at my leasure...but having a parts car just kickin around would be sort of a headache for me. It's a possiblity though. Thanks for clearing up the J-body thing though, at least I can stop wondering about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach 5 Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 You're not the only daydreamer I have hopes that with my new engine going in that when my tranny goes I will have a reason do to the swap. The only thing is, if you get the parts to mount the trans from a non GP vehicle, where do you get the trim for the interior? I don't think that there are many Grand Prix s with manual transmissions out there. I could be wrong. Jarek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 The only thing is, if you get the parts to mount the trans from a non GP vehicle, where do you get the trim for the interior? I don't think that there are many Grand Prix s with manual transmissions out there. I could be wrong. Well, since I already have have a console, I'm almost positive the shifter boot is the same between the Cutlass and the GP. Both were offered with the manual trans for 88 and 89, so there are some kickin around out there. I would just replace the automatic shift gate with the manual boot. At worst, a trim shop could throw together a custom leather shift boot for cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Your '90 is vaccum controlled. Not electronically. It would be very easy to put one in your car. You just have to block all the vaccum ports going to the tranny. If you found one in a jy, you better be there when they open. Its alot different taking one out of a car on pavement with jackstands and airtools than it is on one thats sunk into the ground, with hand tools. Your better off buying the car from the jy, brining it to your house and take everything that you need off there. This will prevent you from making trips back and forth and plus youll have the whole car as well. This way you cannot forget anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Your '90 is vaccum controlled. Not electronically. It would be very easy to put one in your car. You just have to block all the vaccum ports going to the tranny. If you found one in a jy, you better be there when they open. Its alot different taking one out of a car on pavement with jackstands and airtools than it is on one thats sunk into the ground, with hand tools. Your better off buying the car from the jy, brining it to your house and take everything that you need off there. This will prevent you from making trips back and forth and plus youll have the whole car as well. This way you cannot forget anything. Yeah, I knew I had a vacuum operated tranny, so I would only have to deal with little electrical issues, like how the trunk won't open when not in Park, etc. As for the J/Y, Parts Galore in Detroit has all of their cars mounted on stacked steel wheels, so there is a considerable amount of clearance under the car (probably about 2 feet). I have seen 2.8 Manual Cutlass's periodically there. I guess what I'm concerned with now, is how much time, and what tools would I need to remove everything I needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Damn, stacked on steel wheels... Im jelous! All the jy's here the cars are about a foot into the ground! As far as I know for the electrical you would just have to wire the PRND21 into the N. In that case, seeing as how the cars are stacked how they are, it would take you maybe half a day to pull the tranny. As far as tools, you better just bring your entire tool box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Damn, stacked on steel wheels... Im jelous! All the jy's here the cars are about a foot into the ground! As far as I know for the electrical you would just have to wire the PRND21 into the N. In that case, seeing as how the cars are stacked how they are, it would take you maybe half a day to pull the tranny. As far as tools, you better just bring your entire tool box. Boy, half a day would be a piece of cake. I could have everything IN my midnight! lmao! Apparently I'm more serious about this than I initially thought... I just called around to a few of the local J/Y and one has a Manual trans. out of an 88 GP 2.8L for $300. He says he has just the trans. and not the whole car. Maybe tomorrow I'll go out and look at it...maybe offer him $250. What do you guys think about that? I'm sort of in the dark on what the going rate would be for a used trans. but would that be a good way to go? Then I would have the core unit, and I could just worry about getting all the bits and pieces to go with it. Even if I went to look at it, what the hell am I going to be looking for? I'm sure it will just look like a big hunk of metal, and I want to know it's the right one. The guys said he had it in a shed, just collecting dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GutlessSupreme Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 $300 is too much for just the trans. You can find better deals, there are so many odds and ends you need you'd be better off just waiting for the whole deal. I have a list of all necessary electrical changes that I made a topic about literally like a week ago in this section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 I can get the entire set up from a 1990 GP for $450 here, everything I need and it would be pulled for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 I can get the entire set up from a 1990 GP for $450 here, everything I need and it would be pulled for me. Do you mean that as an example, or there is actually a GP that you can get the parts from? BTW, I thought the manual trans was only offered for 88/89? Didn't they discontunue it with the introduction of the 3.1 for 1990? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 $300 is too much for just the trans. You can find better deals, there are so many odds and ends you need you'd be better off just waiting for the whole deal. I have a list of all necessary electrical changes that I made a topic about literally like a week ago in this section. That thread is a great resource, I printed it off for future reference. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 I can get the entire set up from a 1990 GP for $450 here, everything I need and it would be pulled for me. Do you mean that as an example, or there is actually a GP that you can get the parts from? BTW, I thought the manual trans was only offered for 88/89? Didn't they discontunue it with the introduction of the 3.1 for 1990? Yes, I can get the parts from this car. You could get a manual tranny in a GP up to 1993. I also know where a 1992 STE with the DOHC and Getrag 284 can be had for $600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 hmmmm... What about the trans. itself? Would I want to refurbish it before I bolt it into the car? I would want a smooth shifting unit if I am going to go through the trouble of the whole install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ns87 Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 hmmmm... What about the trans. itself? Would I want to refurbish it before I bolt it into the car? I would want a smooth shifting unit if I am going to go through the trouble of the whole install. ive looked into this topic myself, The 282's are pretty bullet proof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Scott..... I was in the same scenario as you. I ended up getting everything I needed out of a JY and I was planning on rebuilding it. Like others have said, I think it's best to find a parts car, take a weekend to pullall the 5 spd stuff, then junk the car afterwards. IMO best bet, and this way you can drive the car to see how the tranny shifts!! but if you're going to get it out of a JY I would pay only 2-300 for the complete swap and potentially have it rebuilt depending on miles etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Craigslist example... Sorry it's in Seattle. http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/car/381617786.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Craigslist example... Sorry it's in Seattle. http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/car/381617786.html this is in my town!!!! i should go look at it for shits and grins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottster Posted July 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 Craigslist example... Sorry it's in Seattle. http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/car/381617786.html Damn, I would buy that, and the guy lunch. $100 bucks would make my day. Why do I have to live 3000 miles away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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