Manual trans swap

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sandman8c93

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Im doing a manual trans swap in my 1998 mark8. I have most of the basic parts together. I havent really settled on the transmission other than it will not be the 6 speed. (too expensive)

I would like to have opinions regarding a TR3650 vs T45.

Thanks for any input.
 
there is a search function that will give you all the info you want including tech install
 
I thought the 3650 was stronger but not sure. I used the 3650 (stock) in my Mach and it worked real good til I installed a 100 shot of nitrous. The third gear synchros went bad on it too but I really beat that tranny like it owed me money. If your gonna make more than 350 hp and beat the snot out of it, get a tko600 and if you wanna make more than 600 hp with a stick, buy an auto:D
 
3650... shifter is already remote mounted and easier to move, they are stronger too from what I've heard...
 
3650, modding the shifter to fit would be easier, and it replaced the t45 for a reason lol, both the t45 and the 3650 have their weak points but if you have the option, go with the 3650.
 
After some research I went with the T45. Just bought it today so now I'm committed. My intent is to produce a complete manual transmission conversion kit. (I also wanted a 5 sp in my car) From a marketing point of view, the T45s are easily found in salvage yards and would be the first choice of most people wanting to do this swap. I'm having a custom made extension braket machined for relocating the shifter. (Bolt on,no welding) All I have is the drawing right now. If this venture goes well, I'll produce a 3650 and T56 bracket. BTW I bought a new handbuilt unit from Kiesler engineering. It's rated for 350hp (continuous) and some of the shortfalls of the T45 have been addressed. I hope this crazy thing works.
 
Been there and done that. My 94 has been through 3 T-45's already.


You need AT LEAST a 3650 for this swap, better of with a T-56 OR a 6060


Good luck with the kit. All the information is on LVC for free, and I have all the CAD drawings with Blueprints for the brackets required, all someone has to do is ask.


Mike
 
^^are the drawings you have for a t45 or 3650? i'll be putting a 3650 into one of mine next summer and hopefully a t56 in the other one.
 
t45's are junk. A 6 speed would be the shizzle and I think I may be in the market for such a unit. Throw some 4.10's in the rear, have the 6 speed final drive oh yea giggidy giggidy
 
94m5 said:
Been there and done that. My 94 has been through 3 T-45's already.


You need AT LEAST a 3650 for this swap, better of with a T-56 OR a 6060


Good luck with the kit. All the information is on LVC for free, and I have all the CAD drawings with Blueprints for the brackets required, all someone has to do is ask.


Mike
Click to expand...

Is the bracket a bolt on or weld on? Of the three trannys the bracket will very close and shouldn't require much modification from one to the other. My brother (machinist and Apache avionics tech) is building a cable extension for the PCM. No soldering or heat shrink just plug and play.

As far as durability, this is my wife's car with stock power. I dont see her doing any hole shots or banging gears. I may go in with induction and exhaust mods but thats about it.

I dont want anyone to think I'm trying to get rich but I would like to produce a product that some enthusiast might appreciate by saving them the aggravation of building from scratch. I would much rather have bought a complete package and been done with it. All the photo and video documentation will be free to anyone should they decide to do some of the fabrication themselves and save money.
 
kustomizingkid said:
Why even ask questions if you are just going to no listen?

Is your name Abelincoln by chance?
Click to expand...

I DID listen, I DID research, I weighed the pros and cons, I MADE a decision.

I've been doing this kind of stuff since I was your age.

and no son, that is not my name.
 
sandman8c93 said:
Is the bracket a bolt on or weld on? Of the three trannys the bracket will very close and shouldn't require much modification from one to the other. My brother (machinist and Apache avionics tech) is building a cable extension for the PCM. No soldering or heat shrink just plug and play.

As far as durability, this is my wife's car with stock power. I dont see her doing any hole shots or banging gears. I may go in with induction and exhaust mods but thats about it.

I dont want anyone to think I'm trying to get rich but I would like to produce a product that some enthusiast might appreciate by saving them the aggravation of building from scratch. I would much rather have bought a complete package and been done with it. All the photo and video documentation will be free to anyone should they decide to do some of the fabrication themselves and save money.
Click to expand...
You DO NOT want to weld the extension housing on to the back of the tranny. I ended up going with a bolt-on linkage extension that blenderhead thought up which is quite clever.


The T-45 does'nt just go out because of holeshots, or powershifting. Normal everyday driving trashes the syncros and the Forks. You are just better off with a 3650 from a durability standpoint.


I say good luck not from a pessimistic viewpoint, but from an expierence view. I have tried putting kits together just like what you are talking about but to be honest.......the market just is'nt there. Of the multiple people that have come on LVC talking about wanting this swap, only 3 others have done it.

By all means, if you find the market go for it.


Take care man.


Mike
 
I could see a plug and play cable extension for the PCM being something to go after.
As these cars hit the junkyards a small group of people would be looking for something like that.
Plus it would help in any manual trans swap again I think the market would be small just ask Geno.

But hey go for it.
 
Thanks mike, BTW I did find a 3650 for next to nothing that needs to be rebuilt. After its rebuilt and the swap mods are done, Ill sell both of them and get a T56.
 
IF all goes well, by this time next year, I should be able to provide you with all the parts necessary to install a T45, tr3650, or t56. And if I cant, at least I tried.
 
You will be able to provide them?

I dont mean to sound like an @ss but all the parts are already available. The only thing that isnt is the shifter assy, which any custom\hot rod shop could handle if the owner couldnt do the fab work themselves.

Like Many others I have wanted to do this for years. Its not the fab work that scares most people, its the MASSIVE amount of wiring needed to move the computers out of the way of the clutch pedal.

Lets all face it, by the time you gather all the parts, and factor the time you would have into the swap your looking at a MINIMUM of $1500 for a mod that will in no way make your car more valuable. It will probably make it less desirable.

More power to you if you actually do it, but like most others im betting by the time you do all the research and find out what you will be getting youself into you will change your mind and spend you money on other things.
 
Yes that could be very true. Like I stated in my earlier post, my brother is working on a cable extension for the PCM that will be a plug and play deal.

I can tell you that when I initially inquired about this swap, and someone came back and said "I have everything you need, no welding, hacking or soldering involved" then this thread wouldnt exist and I would be enjoying a manual tranny. You're also right about this being a PITA and it scares most people away. Thats probably why only 3 people we know of has done it.

If it involves custom fabrication, junkyard prowling or any other time consuming activity, I'll normally drop it like a dirty sock. My wife wants a 68 charger with a 4 speed. I think I can give her a modern muscle car without breaking my bank account. Mike seems to really enjoy his 6 speed so I dont think it will be a wasted effort.

As far as helping or hurting the value, these cars are a dime a dozen anyway so no loss there.
BTW I just installed 2 new chevy big blocks in my boat, it didnt hurt or help the value, but it did make me happy.
 
6 speed

I am in the process of installing a 6060 in my 98. We are also thinking of having a pcm cable mfg. for this swap. The shift linkage is working out very well and is one reason for this trans model the .50 6th gear was another. we used a supercoupe clutch pedal assy. Ordered maybe the only new OEM master cyl left. did not want to use the old one. We are having a Drive shaft Mfg. for it. The trans. and clutch asy are installed in the car also the clutch pedal asy. I have posted on LOD and will add Pictures later. Next is a forged engine and twin turbos.
 
Wish it was an easy swap cause I just lost my upper gears in my auto the night before and of course there are none anywhere near NJ so I can get a replacement :(
 
sandman8c93 said:
BTW I just installed 2 new chevy big blocks in my boat, it didnt hurt or help the value, but it did make me happy.
Click to expand...
I'm putting a Whipple on my 23ft Sabre 454 Merc over the winter. Shooting for 82-83 mph which should give the boys a challenge when they are out back on the tube. :eek: They're going to have to wear their football uniforms just to hop on. :cool: Boat doesn't need the huffer but it will make me happy.:D
 
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