Manual to Auto, Killswitch, Drive shaft

wayzhack · 10-08-2010, 08:04 PM

Background Info:
So I currently have an mk3 (1988) toyota supra turbo shell, which was designed for 5spd. It does not have the transmission or engine. My plan is to buy a JDM 7mgte engine and auto tranny (for $1600 shipped), and drop it in. The reason I'm going auto (sad I know...) is because it will cost me much less, believe me I have already done the math. I'm pretty clueless about cars, but I'm trying my best to learn and complete my Supra project.

Here are my questions:

1. I only have one section of the drive shaft, so I'm going to get a new one. I know little to nothing about drive ("propeller") shafts.
A) Should I try to buy a 2 piece, or is it worth the extra money to buy a
1 piece?
B) Also, is there any specific drive shaft I will need to get for an auto transmission?

2. Will I need anything else to swap the new auto tranny and engine into the 5spd shell besides a new drive shaft? Someone told me that the 5spd ECU on my car would work on an Auto tranny... is this true?

3. Would it be possible to wire the clutch safety switch (the button under the clutch which needs to be depressed for the engine to turn on) and remove the button, but use the same lines to make an engine kill switch?

CanadianBak'inSupra · 10-09-2010, 05:27 AM

the 5 speed tranny is shorter? cant remember, but the shaft that connects to the tranny is different in length, than the auto. so if you had a speed before you need the auto trans. drive shaft.

as far as i know for drive shafts, a 2 piece is easier to dismantle and reinstall, and i guess you could get a lightweight one piece shaft, it would allow for less time to get to 6k rpms, also you would reduce car weight slightly, but its mostly about the weight in the drive train.

think of a saw blade, what gets to operating speeds faster a light blade or a heavy blade, which slows down faster??

which one spins longer..

wayzhack · 10-09-2010, 04:35 PM

Ah okay. So I will need to get a new drive shaft... I might just stick with a 2 piece unless i can find a really good deal on a 1 piece then. Is there anything else that I will need? Would the killswitch idea work?

Grandavi · 10-10-2010, 04:16 AM

Im not sure if its this forum or Supramania that discussed one piece vs two piece driveshafts. What I remember from the discussion is that you really want to be careful because a slight imbalance on a one piece can cause bad vibration. There are some reputable places that handle that though.. I just need to find that forum.. lol

wayzhack · 10-10-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandavi

Im not sure if its this forum or Supramania that discussed one piece vs two piece driveshafts. What I remember from the discussion is that you really want to be careful because a slight imbalance on a one piece can cause bad vibration. There are some reputable places that handle that though.. I just need to find that forum.. lol

Ah... I did not know that. As I said I will probably go for a 2 piece after all, but if I find a really good one piece for a decent price then ill be sure to check it out or ask about any imbalances, thanks!

wayzhack · 10-12-2010, 07:05 PM

So... any info on the killswitch..? or anything else I need to make the manual/auto switch?

Ranma · 10-13-2010, 01:59 AM

Discovered my Supra had a cut down ford drive shaft. Sell it to you at discount like $50 plus shipping

btwilson86 · 10-13-2010, 02:35 AM

idk off hand if it's only to wires at the clutch safety switch, but if it is you could attach them to a toggle switch and make that a kind of killswitch.

As for the ECU, I'm pretty sure it works the other way around (auto ECU with 5 spd transmission), but not the way you are trying to make it work. Also, the automatic transmission I believe has a separate computer that helps control shift points and diagnostics. You will need that for your setup as well as other parts, I'm sure

10-08-2010, 08:04 PM	#1
wayzhack Stock Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 22	Manual to Auto, Killswitch, Drive shaft Background Info: So I currently have an mk3 (1988) toyota supra turbo shell, which was designed for 5spd. It does not have the transmission or engine. My plan is to buy a JDM 7mgte engine and auto tranny (for $1600 shipped), and drop it in. The reason I'm going auto (sad I know...) is because it will cost me much less, believe me I have already done the math. I'm pretty clueless about cars, but I'm trying my best to learn and complete my Supra project. Here are my questions: 1. I only have one section of the drive shaft, so I'm going to get a new one. I know little to nothing about drive ("propeller") shafts. A) Should I try to buy a 2 piece, or is it worth the extra money to buy a 1 piece? B) Also, is there any specific drive shaft I will need to get for an auto transmission? 2. Will I need anything else to swap the new auto tranny and engine into the 5spd shell besides a new drive shaft? Someone told me that the 5spd ECU on my car would work on an Auto tranny... is this true? 3. Would it be possible to wire the clutch safety switch (the button under the clutch which needs to be depressed for the engine to turn on) and remove the button, but use the same lines to make an engine kill switch? __________________ Can't wait to get that 7m! http://sites.google.com/site/wayzhackimportzone/

10-09-2010, 05:27 AM	#2
CanadianBak'inSupra Official hall monitor / search nazi - NO SOUP FOR YOU! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 837	the 5 speed tranny is shorter? cant remember, but the shaft that connects to the tranny is different in length, than the auto. so if you had a speed before you need the auto trans. drive shaft. as far as i know for drive shafts, a 2 piece is easier to dismantle and reinstall, and i guess you could get a lightweight one piece shaft, it would allow for less time to get to 6k rpms, also you would reduce car weight slightly, but its mostly about the weight in the drive train. think of a saw blade, what gets to operating speeds faster a light blade or a heavy blade, which slows down faster?? which one spins longer.. __________________ 1984 supra - 1uzfe - w58 - 4.10 - 1 piece aluminum shaft.

10-09-2010, 04:35 PM	#3
wayzhack Stock Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 22	good info Ah okay. So I will need to get a new drive shaft... I might just stick with a 2 piece unless i can find a really good deal on a 1 piece then. Is there anything else that I will need? Would the killswitch idea work? __________________ Can't wait to get that 7m! http://sites.google.com/site/wayzhackimportzone/

10-10-2010, 04:16 AM	#4
Grandavi walbro fp Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 410	Im not sure if its this forum or Supramania that discussed one piece vs two piece driveshafts. What I remember from the discussion is that you really want to be careful because a slight imbalance on a one piece can cause bad vibration. There are some reputable places that handle that though.. I just need to find that forum.. lol __________________ My Links: What I am doing... http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...part-list.html My questions http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...w-answers.html

10-12-2010, 07:05 PM	#6
wayzhack Stock Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 22	bump So... any info on the killswitch..? or anything else I need to make the manual/auto switch? __________________ Can't wait to get that 7m! http://sites.google.com/site/wayzhackimportzone/

10-13-2010, 01:59 AM	#7
Ranma 12psi boost Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Claremore, OK Posts: 326 Blog Entries: 10	Discovered my Supra had a cut down ford drive shaft. Sell it to you at discount like $50 plus shipping __________________ 1986 Mk III MA70 7MGE Targa Top 5 Speed Stock Exhaust

10-13-2010, 02:35 AM	#8
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	idk off hand if it's only to wires at the clutch safety switch, but if it is you could attach them to a toggle switch and make that a kind of killswitch. As for the ECU, I'm pretty sure it works the other way around (auto ECU with 5 spd transmission), but not the way you are trying to make it work. Also, the automatic transmission I believe has a separate computer that helps control shift points and diagnostics. You will need that for your setup as well as other parts, I'm sure __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

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