I would love to have a 5 speed swap, but the driving i do everyday would make me miserable. I understand my tranny will go sometime in the near future and I was looking to alternative options.

For those who have done the 5th gen tranny swap, how does it feel? Would my axles need to be changed as well? I have yet to find a definite answer on that issue.

How about a tranny rebuild? I understand the tranny bearings are changed along with a few other components, but is this heavy price due to mostly labor?

 

i did the 5th gen swap. i needed a new driver's side axle, but at least a dozen people said they did it just fine without new axles. i still don't understand that. it definitely feels really good.

if you're having a shop rebuild a tranny for you, you have to worry about two things:
1) cost, obviously
and 2) are they doing good work?

for the rebuild, with none of your own parts (except the tranny), plan on spending at least $1000. if you do decide to go this route, pm me, i've got a tranny i'll sell you cheap. :-)

 

In all reality they will probably run you around the same in price.

You either pay for a tranny and labor or rebuild kit and labor.

You shouldn't need anything else from the 5th gen unless you get an anniversary tranny.

 

Do the swap, it's worth every penny and second. My 5th gen trans is mated to a 5th gen clutch. It is a light clutch which I like (some people don't) and the engagement is very civil and predictable. My swap cost me:

Trans w/ 35k on it: 850
Clutch: 190
Fluids and misc: 100
All other parts (flywheel, master cylinder, etc.): 400

 

thats not bad at all, but i would be looking for an auto trans. I figure costs would be a bit less w/an auto.

 

Oops, I thought you were going to do a 5spd swap, my bad.

 

The difference between auto and manual is the difference between "getting from point A to point B" and "driving".

I got my swap almost a year ago, and there wasn't one single freakin' moment when I didn't thank myself for it. Not while I was broke from paying for it, not now that my input shaft bearings are roaring in my face... nor even that one week when my left knee hurt so damn much from driving ALL THE TIME that I couldn't get up or down stairs without searing pain. Swear to God.

If (when) you do decide to get a 5-speed swap, take it out to Tilley's shop. It's a hike, but he'll do it right, and his price will be totally reasonable. He's also hooked up for parts, so he'll have you totally covered.

If you don't want to go that far, though, the place that did my swap (only cuz I didn't know about Tilley at the time) is in Drexel Hill, just outside Philly, and they're pretty awesome too.

 

only prob with a 5 speed is that I had a heck of a time selling one locally. Everyone wanted an auto except for the forum members.

 

5th Gen auto will not work, the electrical components are different.

 

yeah, i thought you meant 5-spd too. my bad.

 

damnit. guess its time to learn how to drive 5 speed then

 

You've never learned??

Hell, I'll teach you.

 

Well if you're planning to get rid of it in the next couple of years, you might want to see what your current market area prefers. In my area people prefer auto so if I do end up selling and along the way had the option to spend money on the transmission I would likely have it rebuilt. Autos tend to go for more $$$ here also.

By the way, I found learning to drive stick pretty easy. I mostly learned from watching the footwork/shifting of one of my friends when I'm in his car