Auto to 6 Speed swap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Auto to 6 Speed swap
If this has been asked before please point me in the right direction.
I know anything is possible but how difficult would it be to swap the automatic transmission in my 91 to a newer 6 speed.
I know anything is possible but how difficult would it be to swap the automatic transmission in my 91 to a newer 6 speed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
a 91 should still be the 700R4 correct?
for the cost of the swap, a very very nice 700R4 could be installed...unless you had a donor car or got a nice deal on a complete kit, i'd just keep it auto...
for the cost of the swap, a very very nice 700R4 could be installed...unless you had a donor car or got a nice deal on a complete kit, i'd just keep it auto...
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
A donor car or access to will be needed. There are a lot of parts involved. A friend is considering selling a nice ZF6 but I don't know what he might want for it. He may also have some of the changeover parts.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Baldturbofreak
Pretty easy, get a turbo 400 with transbrake and stall converter +Gear venors overdrive= badarse 6 speed that fits right in the hole. Same money as well.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 2
From: Honeoye Ny
I guess it all depends on where you get your parts/what parts you use
Used tranny-$1500
Hopefully it came with a bell housing
Mcloed twin disc $1100 (In my opinion there is no other clutch worth putting in)
New slave $75
Master/pedal assembly $100 (a guess?)
torque beam $100
Shifter $200
materials to make a new hump in the floor $75
manual trans center console $75 (guess)
Prop shaft $100
Or
th400-w/brake $1000 ish depending on where you get it.
9" converter $500 ish again depending on who's converter
Gvod $2500
You'll need to build a tube crossmember using a kit from jegs
and cut down/ modify your existing torque beam.
Same neighborhood in price if you do the work yourself.
You still get to pop the clutch ( transbrake) and have 6 gears that only drop a few hundred rpm at a time. Barking each shift. Hmm maybe I need to change my ZF over......
Used tranny-$1500
Hopefully it came with a bell housing
Mcloed twin disc $1100 (In my opinion there is no other clutch worth putting in)
New slave $75
Master/pedal assembly $100 (a guess?)
torque beam $100
Shifter $200
materials to make a new hump in the floor $75
manual trans center console $75 (guess)
Prop shaft $100
Or
th400-w/brake $1000 ish depending on where you get it.
9" converter $500 ish again depending on who's converter
Gvod $2500
You'll need to build a tube crossmember using a kit from jegs
and cut down/ modify your existing torque beam.
Same neighborhood in price if you do the work yourself.
You still get to pop the clutch ( transbrake) and have 6 gears that only drop a few hundred rpm at a time. Barking each shift. Hmm maybe I need to change my ZF over......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Thanks for all the feedback. A lot to consider. I am in the process of installing a ATI Procharger and just thought the 6 speed would be real nice. Any other comments would be helpful.
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Florida turtle advocate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,280
Likes: 6
From: Gulfcoast Salvage Englewood, Fla
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I'm on the fence trying to decide if I want to go through with the same swap... If I don't, I'll have a 32K (green tag) ZF to sell(with shifter and mag bellhousing).I plan on making the decision in the next week or so. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
If the D36 is kept (I kept mine) you will reuse your D36 beam and driveshaft. You will however have to use to yolk from a ZF6 car (same as a TH400 yolk).
Transmission lengths are the same, but the D44 housing is longer (making the associated driveline parts about 1" shorter), so that is where the differences come from.
Transmission lengths are the same, but the D44 housing is longer (making the associated driveline parts about 1" shorter), so that is where the differences come from.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by Baldturbofreak
I guess it all depends on where you get your parts/what parts you use
...
Same neighborhood in price if you do the work yourself.
...
Same neighborhood in price if you do the work yourself.
That's not same ballpark in my bank account.
Another poster says you don't need a C-beam, but if you did they can be had for $25-50. Prop shafts go for $40-50. Clutches can be had for way less than $1100. Used stock shifter $50.
You can also buy a GM-rebuilt ZF6 for $2000 shipped.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
There is another thing not listed here - the TKO conversion.
For about 3000.00 you get the TKO 5spd with all parts required for the conversion.
Considering you are adding a procharger, all that power, going through a manual, into a D36 is nothing more then a recipe for total disaster. I don't see the D36 taking that abuse for long... not long at all.
For about 3000.00 you get the TKO 5spd with all parts required for the conversion.
Considering you are adding a procharger, all that power, going through a manual, into a D36 is nothing more then a recipe for total disaster. I don't see the D36 taking that abuse for long... not long at all.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by jmyokley
Any other comments would be helpful.
Actually even if you have started, take it off, sell the car, buy an M6, install the SC.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque NM
Originally Posted by steve9899
If you haven't started the installation yet, sell the A4, buy an M6 car, and start from there.
Actually even if you have started, take it off, sell the car, buy an M6, install the SC.
Actually even if you have started, take it off, sell the car, buy an M6, install the SC.
take a C4 for 13K-20K
add 1-5K in interest
add 6-12K in aftermarket parts
add 12 busted knuckles
add 2 permanent scars
add 54 hours of having your only daughter (4years old) help you wash the car AND build a motor
substract the significant other not having a clue about the difference a timing belt and a chain
equals a family member it ain't going no-where
jeez I think I finally understand people who pay 5K for a mutt's surgery!...nsh
