auto to manual tranny swap

sd88supra · 10-29-2009, 08:36 PM

I looked for related threads regarding issues when doing the swap, but the only one I found concerned the ECU.

First, a little background info: I just bought another Supra! '88 N/A auto with targa. I decided that I can't keep both (in college), so because I could never find an N/A 5spd w/ targa I decided to keep the auto and do a tranny swap (aside from the fact that the auto is much better taken care of, and I'd prefer a targa over TEMS).

Can I swap the trannies on the cars with no problems? My 5 speed would become auto and the auto would become a 5 spd. Input appreciated.

Krem · 10-29-2009, 08:42 PM

no, it's not a straight across swap... there are things that need to be done, which I'm not 100% on.. I do know wiring of some sort must be ran to add a clutch.. possibly a sensor?

I also understand that the radiators are different between the cars. The Auto's radiator should have a built in cooler for the transmission fluids whereas the manual one does not. So might want to swap those with the transmission..

Wish I could help more, but I'm a newb that can do brake jobs and replace small components.. I'm no where near the level of expertise to swap out engines, trannies or any other major component for that matter. However, now that there's a reply to this thread, maybe you'll find the true answers you seek.

cre · 10-30-2009, 02:34 AM

Krem's about on target... the hard part isn't moving the 5 speed to the car with the auto, but moving the Auto to the car with the 5 speed will most likely suck. I don't think the 5 speed has a chassis harness for the automatic ECU (I know mine doesn't, so, you can probably add pulling the dash, center console, steering wheel out of BOTH cars... check ALL of the sensor and control locations before beginning work on this project. Along with swapping the radiator (piece of cake), you'll need to swap over the hard pipes for the transmission cooler too.

I'm not certain if the Automatic tranny wiring is in a separate harness or if it was a different chassis harness altogether, so check and double check before starting.

You DO have to swap the ECU's as well, so, if your other Supra is newer than '88 you're kind of screwed... unless you feel like doing some hacking to both chasis harnesses.

Have fun.

Personally, I'd sell both and find a nice 5 speed turbo MKIII... they almost all came with the sport roof.

Beals · 10-30-2009, 04:52 AM

This is the current list I got for making my automatic a standard instead:

-Transmission Swap
Manual Gearbox + Bellhousing + ECU
450$
5 speed conversion pedal set
270$
Clutch Master + Slave Cylinder + Hose
150$
Spedometer Cable
100$
Stage 2 Clutch Kit
425$
DriveShaft
415$
Shift Boot + Short Throw Shifter
300$?
-Total:
2110$

Just wondering now that I read about the radiators does that apply to me?

cre · 10-30-2009, 07:26 AM

You're fine with the radiator. It's when you're adding an auto to a 5 speed equipped chassis that you need to add cooling for the auto. Just plug the ports on the lower end tank of the radiator.

Beals · 10-30-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cre

You're fine with the radiator. It's when you're adding an auto to a 5 speed equipped chassis that you need to add cooling for the auto. Just plug the ports on the lower end tank of the radiator.

Alright thanks, I might just end up buying a cheap rad to replace the stock one anyways just to prevent any leak issues.

86.5supra · 10-31-2009, 03:50 AM

I did this swap in an 86.5 (went from auto to 5spd and 7mge to 7mgte in my first car) It took about a weekend but i used to work for toyota so that def. helped. I would look for a supra that has been hit in the side or the rear to get the parts.

cvbikeguy · 11-24-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beals

This is the current list I got for making my automatic a standard instead:

-Transmission Swap
Manual Gearbox + Bellhousing + ECU
450$
5 speed conversion pedal set
270$
Clutch Master + Slave Cylinder + Hose
150$
Spedometer Cable
100$
Stage 2 Clutch Kit
425$
DriveShaft
415$
Shift Boot + Short Throw Shifter
300$?
-Total:
2110$

Just wondering now that I read about the radiators does that apply to me?

sorry to jack your thread but i was just getting some info.

do you really need all of this to swap the auto out? im looking to do the same and i found a w58 i want to put in. im not looking for any performance upgrades. what do i need to just have the swap done?

cre · 11-24-2009, 06:05 AM

The component list is fairly accurate but you don't need to spend nearly that much. You don't need a M/T ECU for example, the A/T ECU will work fine. You do need the complete tranny, driveshaft, pedal set, flywheel and clutch, clutch master cylinder and hoses. Most of the parts you can get used and for pretty cheap if you pull them yourself at a salvage yard.

cvbikeguy · 11-24-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cre

The component list is fairly accurate but you don't need to spend nearly that much. You don't need a M/T ECU for example, the A/T ECU will work fine. You do need the complete tranny, driveshaft, pedal set, flywheel and clutch, clutch master cylinder and hoses. Most of the parts you can get used and for pretty cheap if you pull them yourself at a salvage yard.

cre your amazing!!!

this guy down south is selling a w58 for $150 and i think that isnt too bad right? and if i can get the rest of the parts for fairly cheap then maybe i will do the swap while im doing my head gasket?

ive had this car for 2 days now.... maybe im biting off more than i can chew?

10-29-2009, 08:36 PM	#1
sd88supra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 190	auto to manual tranny swap I looked for related threads regarding issues when doing the swap, but the only one I found concerned the ECU. First, a little background info: I just bought another Supra! '88 N/A auto with targa. I decided that I can't keep both (in college), so because I could never find an N/A 5spd w/ targa I decided to keep the auto and do a tranny swap (aside from the fact that the auto is much better taken care of, and I'd prefer a targa over TEMS). Can I swap the trannies on the cars with no problems? My 5 speed would become auto and the auto would become a 5 spd. Input appreciated. __________________ -1987 5 spd N/A with TEMS: low miles! All stock with the exception of electric fans and an '89 front bumper, Yokohama 225/50/16 with stock rims. It's a mess and in the garage. -1987 5 spd Turbo with TEMS: miss-matched tires, needs lots of work, but it runs! Project car. -1988 N/A auto targa: all stock except 18" rims with Falken 265/35/18 in rear and 225/35/18 in front; daily driver.

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10-29-2009, 08:42 PM	#2
Krem 3" Exhaust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 167	no, it's not a straight across swap... there are things that need to be done, which I'm not 100% on.. I do know wiring of some sort must be ran to add a clutch.. possibly a sensor? I also understand that the radiators are different between the cars. The Auto's radiator should have a built in cooler for the transmission fluids whereas the manual one does not. So might want to swap those with the transmission.. Wish I could help more, but I'm a newb that can do brake jobs and replace small components.. I'm no where near the level of expertise to swap out engines, trannies or any other major component for that matter. However, now that there's a reply to this thread, maybe you'll find the true answers you seek.

10-30-2009, 02:34 AM	#3
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Krem's about on target... the hard part isn't moving the 5 speed to the car with the auto, but moving the Auto to the car with the 5 speed will most likely suck. I don't think the 5 speed has a chassis harness for the automatic ECU (I know mine doesn't, so, you can probably add pulling the dash, center console, steering wheel out of BOTH cars... check ALL of the sensor and control locations before beginning work on this project. Along with swapping the radiator (piece of cake), you'll need to swap over the hard pipes for the transmission cooler too. I'm not certain if the Automatic tranny wiring is in a separate harness or if it was a different chassis harness altogether, so check and double check before starting. You DO have to swap the ECU's as well, so, if your other Supra is newer than '88 you're kind of screwed... unless you feel like doing some hacking to both chasis harnesses. Have fun. Personally, I'd sell both and find a nice 5 speed turbo MKIII... they almost all came with the sport roof.

10-30-2009, 04:52 AM	#4
Beals Intake Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada, Alberta Posts: 32	This is the current list I got for making my automatic a standard instead: -Transmission Swap Manual Gearbox + Bellhousing + ECU 450$ 5 speed conversion pedal set 270$ Clutch Master + Slave Cylinder + Hose 150$ Spedometer Cable 100$ Stage 2 Clutch Kit 425$ DriveShaft 415$ Shift Boot + Short Throw Shifter 300$? -Total: 2110$ Just wondering now that I read about the radiators does that apply to me?

10-30-2009, 07:26 AM	#5
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	You're fine with the radiator. It's when you're adding an auto to a 5 speed equipped chassis that you need to add cooling for the auto. Just plug the ports on the lower end tank of the radiator.

10-31-2009, 03:50 AM	#7
86.5supra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ny Posts: 83	I did this swap in an 86.5 (went from auto to 5spd and 7mge to 7mgte in my first car) It took about a weekend but i used to work for toyota so that def. helped. I would look for a supra that has been hit in the side or the rear to get the parts.

11-24-2009, 06:05 AM	#9
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The component list is fairly accurate but you don't need to spend nearly that much. You don't need a M/T ECU for example, the A/T ECU will work fine. You do need the complete tranny, driveshaft, pedal set, flywheel and clutch, clutch master cylinder and hoses. Most of the parts you can get used and for pretty cheap if you pull them yourself at a salvage yard.