2.8L v6 transmission swap 4spd to 5spd. (Page 1/1)
Decaffrican MAR 18, 07:16 PM
For anyone who's done this swap before, anything of note? I believe I have everything I need, got the tranny, shifter/shiftcables, clutch/throwout bearing and new slave cylinder. So far the biggest hurdle is figuring out how to complete the swap cut and dry. Would there be anything special for the shift cables? As far as I know and have been told, the transmission should be a simple bolt on swap.
FieroJimmy MAR 18, 07:33 PM
The only thing I don't see on your list are the brackets between the trans and the rubber mounts. Everything else should be covered. Overall, swapping from one factory trans to another is basically just remove the old parts, and reinstall the new ones.

There is an adjustment procedure for the shift cables. You have to put a couple pins in the shifter to lock it into place, then place the trans in the correct gear (I don't recall which one at the moment, if someone else doesn't come along with the info I'll look it up in a little bit.) Then tighten the ballstuds on the transmission.

You will have to rewire the backup lights. The 4 speed uses a switch on the shifter, while the 5 speed is on the case.
FieroJimmy MAR 18, 08:27 PM
You put the trans in 1st. The pic in this post is a 4 speed shifter, but the principal is the same.

[url=https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20060811-2-069408.html#p1][/url]
Decaffrican MAR 18, 10:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by FieroJimmy:

The only thing I don't see on your list are the brackets between the trans and the rubber mounts. Everything else should be covered. Overall, swapping from one factory trans to another is basically just remove the old parts, and reinstall the new ones.

There is an adjustment procedure for the shift cables. You have to put a couple pins in the shifter to lock it into place, then place the trans in the correct gear (I don't recall which one at the moment, if someone else doesn't come along with the info I'll look it up in a little bit.) Then tighten the ballstuds on the transmission.

You will have to rewire the backup lights. The 4 speed uses a switch on the shifter, while the 5 speed is on the case.



As far as I know the trans brackets/mounts from the 4 speed are able to be used for the 5 speed as well no?
olejoedad MAR 18, 11:50 PM
Unless you do a lot of freeway driving, the 4-speed is a much better transmission for the 2.8 V-6.
The 4-speed gearing is perfect for performance driving, but it does make a lot of RPM on the freeway.
Speaking from experience....
FieroJimmy MAR 19, 07:09 AM

quote
Originally posted by Decaffrican:


As far as I know the trans brackets/mounts from the 4 speed are able to be used for the 5 speed as well no?



The parts manual shows different part numbers for the brackets. I haven't done the swap personally, so they may work, but I wouldn't count on it.

The rubber mounts on the cradle themselves should be the same, though.

[This message has been edited by FieroJimmy (edited 03-19-2022).]

Skybax MAR 26, 01:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Unless you do a lot of freeway driving, the 4-speed is a much better transmission for the 2.8 V-6.
The 4-speed gearing is perfect for performance driving, but it does make a lot of RPM on the freeway.
Speaking from experience....



Agreed, to add, the V6 M17 Muncie 4-speed is stronger, quicker, and you generally get more mileage out of a clutch.

I know this is personal preference, but I've owned both and the 4-speed is more enjoyable to drive as weekend pleasure car.

Unless you do a lot of highway driving or putting on a lot of miles, I wouldn't swap to 5-speed, that would be a downgrade for me.

PS: Note the 4-speed slave bracket is aluminum, it cracks and eventually breaks, so anyone with 4-speed should install the steel replacement Rodney Dickman sells.

[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 03-26-2022).]

weaselbeak MAR 30, 01:43 AM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Unless you do a lot of freeway driving, the 4-speed is a much better transmission for the 2.8 V-6.
The 4-speed gearing is perfect for performance driving, but it does make a lot of RPM on the freeway.
Speaking from experience....



I have the Muncie 4 speed on my 3800. I don't think it seems all that busy on the freeway. I've driven the 5 speed stuff & do not care for the 1-2 gear spacing at all.