North American Turbocoupe Organization



Auto to 5 speed
Eric Offline
Member
#1
Lo Gents,

Long time no post for me. I have one quick question. Is the process of changing an automatic to 5 speed a huge obstacale. I am currently looking at a 1988 with 48k on it, perfect bird, except for the automatic. Just curious, I'm going to look at car this week and want to make offer, but I have to keep the cost of switch over in mind.
Black 1987 T-Coupe 5 speed, stock xcept for K/N air filter.
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89gted Offline
Senior Member
#2
I already have a 88TC w/auto that I want to change to 5 speed. After looking at a lot of different posts, I concluded that there are a lot different parts between the two. I am now watching for a beater 5 speed car that I can buy cheap and part out for what I need. My 2 cents.
[Image: th_TC016-PaintShiney.jpg]

Another proud dues paying member.

88TC, 210K, Black/Raven, Auto (may change), 140 speedo (by Jeff K), trip computer, 3G, cold air K&N, improved IVR, new AC system, new windshield & 360 tint, new sensatracs all around, interior cleaned up like new, now for the outside....
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Rod K Offline
Senior Member
#3
It wasn't too bad. I did the pedals one Saturday and the rest the next weekend. I would try to find a car to get everything from including the wire for the backup lights that comes from under the dash to the transmission.
Rod Kiser, '88TC, 5 speed, 5 lug, Cobra 13" front brakes, Mark VII 11 1/4" rear disc brakes, PiMP'n, Bullit wheels, ATR 3" exhaust, Aluminum driveshaft, EDIS, 60 LB injectors, gutted upper & ported lower. NATO Member
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#4
I agree with Rod on trying to find a crusher to get the parts off of. Sometimes you will see a package of parts for the conversion on Ebay. I can't give you a price but I think figuring $500 to 1K would be reasonable for planning purposes
Pete Dunham


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Eric Offline
Member
#5
Thanks for input. I'm actually thinking of ripping into my 87 to do this. It's just hard for me to do. Had the car a long time and it still runs good and is great shape, maybe I should sell the 87 and use $ to buys parts for 88?...hummmm...decisions, decisions......
Black 1987 T-Coupe 5 speed, stock xcept for K/N air filter.
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Liquid_force Offline
Senior Member
#6
I was a complete novice when I did mine. All in all, it's not a difficult job mechanically, more just an issue of not giving up because some things can take SOOOO long.

Many people have run into trouble getting the speedometer gear to work out (mine was not a problem though).
My trouble was with part fitment (I didn't have a parts car), and the interior pieces that fit around the shifter. Other than that it's just a step by step sort of thing.

Make sure you have a way to get plenty of clearance underneath. I had each wheel on about a foot worth of blocks and it was JUST enough to not be a complete pain in the butt.
88 TC -- Dark Blue 283k
RIP - 9/22/07
She was a great TC and went down swinging Smile
Now -- Me: A minivan, I'll spare you the details.
Her: '09 VW Tiguan AWD 2.0T 101k
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Matt S Offline
Posting Freak
#7
How's the automatic? With 48k and if it was taken care of you should be able to drive it for a while, at least until you save the money.

I still contemplate having my auto seriously rebuilt and putting it back in.
Sold it Sad*
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fierospeeder Offline
Member
#8
I knew i was going to do the 5 speed swap a long time ago. I was able to get the 5 speed trans and driveshaft at the junkyard for about 120 dollars.

Few months later, boom, blew the pump seal. POS auto trans.

Dropping the trans isn't that much work. I was able to do it myself at the junkyard. It takes about 2 hours to drop the trans.

120 for the trans and driveshaft, sometimes they are on ebay.

The pedals is something i dont have but should be in the 20 dollar range.

flywheel, clutch, pressure plate brand new might cost you 200-300 dollars, unless you find a used set. And a new pilot bearing.

Slave and master cylinder and the hydraulic line.

For a DIY, it should take about 2 days. The wiring is a bit tricky or more "time consuming". You need to study the wiring diagram and redo it to make it work with the stick.


5 speed is the best way to go and something you should plan on buying the parts. The auto isn't reliable at all. It has left me on the side of the road more then the TFI module and a bad alternator.
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Eric Offline
Member
#9
Thanks all for input, but the car I was interested in, sold b4 I could get out to see it. Shame, it was an 88 with 49k original mileage
, really terrific shape, and local to me too!!...went for 6k.
Black 1987 T-Coupe 5 speed, stock xcept for K/N air filter.
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Eric Offline
Member
#10
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...AMEWA%3AIT

This is car, not many like it.
Black 1987 T-Coupe 5 speed, stock xcept for K/N air filter.
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