I'm currently in the process doing a 5 speed swap. The shop that's going to do it for me told me that it'll take about 3 hours to remove the dash so they can drill the holes for the master clutch cyclinder and another 3 hours to put it back. Those of you that did the swap, what's the easiest way to drill the holes for it that won't take up so much time. I thought about doing it my self with an angel drill. Anyone have a easier way, please step in.

 

they're retarted, removing the dash does nothing in the way of creating more space. And removing the dash takes about half an hour to 45 minutes. I've done it a few times.

I didn't use an angle drill, you just have to get a good drill bit that can drill through the firewall metal. Make a template like it says in the write-up, and cut the hole as cleanly as you can. it took me a little while, because my drill bit was crap, and the drill kept running out of power (cordless).

 

oh i c, did you cut from the inside or outside? i was thinking about cutting from the inside would be better.

 

Damn 3 hours is kinda long I guess they feel like taking their time...lol but then you do need to move a bracket where the write up that hal made stated you needed to remove that stuff...But dont' know about 3 hours....forgot what part it was...something about brake bracket or something and you need to remove the brake pedal...Yeah I just used a Craftsman Power drill and it wasn't that powerfull but it did the job. Also I used a tree step, when I got the hole a little more open I used a grinding bit and just opened the hole and shaped it. Good Luck...

 

yup, i cut it from the inside, there isn't any room to cut anything from the outside, the strut tower is in the way.

 

yeah, i have to remove my gauge cluster first than a few bracket inside. I guess my shop just doesn't know what he's doing consider he did most of the maxima down here in baton rouge. I'll give try to drill it tomorrow after class and see how it goes. 3 hours for them to remove the dash will cost alot.

 

Good luck, how much is the shop charging total?

 

I didnt have to remove my dash, or even a single panel to drill the holes for my master cylinder and install my clutch pedal..

tell them to **** off.

 

well, i'm getting the transmission swap, all the ES bushing put in, and my rack and pinion as well. Hopefully the whole thing won't cost over $1000.

 

yeah right... unless ur getting a REALLLY REALLLLY good deal.

 

i'm expecting less than that Maybe somewhere around 800 dollars. That would include rebuilld my 5 speed tranny.

 

You must be smoking something. Labor alone on a trans swap SHOULD be about $900, Trans rebuild 800, bushings 300, rack 400.

$2400 MINIMUM, not including trans parts that you bought.

 

haha it's good that I go to school with the owner. I would install the clutch system for them so it won't take up any time. Plus they would rebuild my tranny from other tranny at the shop, so that'll save a ton.

 

I got a really, really good deal. did the whole thing for 900. (price of car)