How long does a DIY 5-speed swap take?

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

I'm planning to do a 5-speed swap myself on my S13 hatch. I don't have a lift or air tools, so I'll have to stick with jack stands. I do have an FSM and am generally good with cars. Anyone who's done this, how long did it take you? I know this answer will vary a lot, but I'm leaving for college in a month and don't want to leave with an unfinished project. Thanks!

Post by **GEO** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

2 weekends... FULL weekends

Post by **Hijacker** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

depends on your comfort level. i just did a 5 speed SR swap into an auto vert, and the 5 speed swap portion took me a day. Factor in the time it will take to pull the driveshaft, the trans, the torque converter, and then to bolt up all the new trans parts, at the very least a full weekend. Not having a lift will make swapping the trannies a bit harder because of how heavy they can be to wrestle back onto the motor.

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

Sounds good. I don't have many commitments before I leave for school so I can certainly put the time in. Good to hear that it's possible without a lift

Post by **Altiman94** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

There's alot of info on here on how to do it. It shouldn't take you more than a month as long as you have done all your research prior to this.

Post by **marshun** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

should take about a week tops. i like to take my time on wiring

Post by **SHIFTrl240** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

would have taken me a day with the right tools and with all the parts already there.wiring is ez if you don't want reverse lights.(for s13)hardest part is getting the trans out and back in, so if you have access to a lift and a set of good jacks its a piece of cake.

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

I found a junkyard that will sell me pretty much everything I need (trans w/90K miles, driveshaft, pedal, master cylinder, flywheel, shifter, hardware) for $550, after some negotiating

Is that a good deal?

Post by **SHIFTrl240** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

if its everything.. yea. thats about what i paid for mine, but i got an awesome deal on a 96 trans w/ a short shifter

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

Sounds like a decent price. Where's this junkyard??Dont worry, not trying to steal your swap

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

:boxing My swap!J/k

It's on the Delmarva peninsula, few hours from DC. Just search http://www.car-parts.com and you'll come up with a lot of junkyards in that area.

Post by **AsanBBoy** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

$550 a good deal? maybe not to me. I got a whole 240sx parts car for $350, I paid $200 and my bro paid $150.(ka24e engine runs and working transmission, driver's strut tower collapesed due to cut springs?).

My swap is taking a while due to some problems getting the transmission back on. Turning it upsidedown sure helps a lot and makes the job alot simpler.

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

Thanks, I just have this thing for junkyards...

I personally think a parts car is the best way to go. You dont even have to buy the whole car. Just get someone to let you scavenge all the parts you need for a set price.

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

That's not a bad idea....sooo...do you know of anyone with a good parts car in the DC area?:D

Post by **180fan** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

took about an afternoon. Most of which was spent installing the damn transmission for me and a friend. That then the actual drilling of the damn holes for the master.

If you're gonna get junkyard hard clutch line, I'd recommend getting a new one from the dealership. I got mine new for 25 bucks and it didn't have years of use and rust that some clutch lines develop from soaking up water and having the water rust out the inside of the hard line. At 25, it wasn't much more for me to get a new line than a junkyard line so dunno just something for you to consider when collecting parts for your change over.

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

I think most ppl try to sell the motor and transmission together. If you can pickup a transmission from the junkyard, I pretty sure someone would be willing to let go of the pedals, master cylinder, etc. Check the BST forums here and take a look at http://www.midatlantic240sx.com Lotsa local guys in the northern VA area.

Just looked over there. A guy is parting out a 93 5spd. Check it out...http://www.midatlantic240sx.co...=1817

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

IWannaS15: Thank you so much for the link...according to the thread the car might have been sold as a whole, but I emailed the guy anyway. I hadn't found that site yet...great resource.

180fan: Drilling the holes looks like it'll be a PITA. I might just buy an angle attachment for my drill, heard that some have had success with that. That's probably a good idea to get new lines.

Uh, one probably dumb question...what is the "mounting plate" for the manual transmission? The swap guide on 240sx.org says I need one. Are they referring to the clutch cover? Because it looks like the bellhousing should bolt on, and the rear crossmember just needs a few extra bolts. Thanks

And thanks everyone who's responded. I'm pretty new to this forum and am still amazed at both the great info that's already on here and how helpful and knowledgeable everyone is.

Post by **180fan** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

Drilling the holes was a pain in the butt. If you've got access to an air drill, it'll make quick work of the firewall but yeah otherwise you're in for some work. The pedals are a pain too, I just cut my brake pedal and slapped some aftermarket covers to call it a day. The mounting plate I think is that big metal ring that sits between the motor and the transmission, goes behind the flywheel.

Post by **Hijacker** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

the cutting is easy if you have an angle drill. it saved my butt big time.

doing the brake pedal is simple as well

Post by **180fan** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

yeah...you guys with your angle drills...do it with a straight drill and you'll appreciate the effort it takes to drill em holes. yeah that's right... *sobs*

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

Hmmm...the plot thickens. I found out I can get an RB20DET with a 5-speed, ECU, and wiring harness for $1500. I had never really considered an engine swap but for the cost of a KA 5-speed and a junkyard turbo setup I can get an RB...an SR swap is out of my budget these days but this could work.....

Post by **SeVa-S13** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

If you're unsure about the 5 speed swap (which should take about half a day with a friend and a 6 pack), an RB swap probly isn't for you yet.

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

IMO, the RB20 for $1500 is a great deal. 215hp stock, drops in almost as easy as the SR. The KA is more newb friendly. I think a domestic motor thats available for $500 in virtually any junkyard across the country is a better option. That RB20 is so damn tempting though...

Post by **93sleeper** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

Yeah, that's the problem. It seems stupid to pay for a KA transmission when I can get a major upgrade like the RB20 for not much more. I was a little surprised when I found out how cheap it would be. But I'd really like to do the work myself. I don't know, I've seen several people's RB swap projects online and it looks like I can handle it, if I had enough time. Fall quarter's getting close. Maybe I just need some time to think about it.

Post by **SHIFTrl240** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:13 am

i would have gotten a parts car, but i was going to be replacing most of the parts with brand new anyway so it would have really been a waste. it cost me 550 for 96 trans with 30k, short shifter, brand new clutch and bearings, reman master cyl, new slave cyl, and ss clutch line

How long does a DIY 5-speed swap take?

How long does a DIY 5-speed swap take?

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