First, is there a seperate control unit for the auto tranny? Or is it built into the main ECU? The other question is would a 5speed max of the same year same option work with a auto tranny?

I guess the thing here is, things like the airbags etc etc are controlled by the ECU... hmm...

Well, I am thinking about swapping a 5-speed into the max. Tranny will be cheap and I doubt it would be harder than my engine swap. Tranny should be cheap as well.. I mean after all I could get an entire 95-96 motor with 40k miles for $650...

Oh I am thinking that if you go from auto to manual you wouldn't need a new ecu... but the other way around you would... might get some codes from the ecu though...

anyhoo... pass some thoughts please.

-Shing

 

You probably wouldn't need a new one but I'm sure the ECU will still be looking for the Auto. It should run but I don't know how this would affect the ECU's programming. Have you found new love for your car? Why the 5spd swap? Just buy a 95 SE 5sp for $7-8k and have fun with that. :-)

 

Because I can.
Hey I've done a completely motor swap... i think I'm hardcore now. ;-) I can do this swap. Plus it shouldn't cost more than $1000 to do this swap. Owning another car is a lot more than that. No i am hoping the swap will help me get the passion that nissan promised me.

 

I haven't been following the CRX buildup lately. How's it going? I know you have the motor in but is it running? Also, are you coming to Dallas this weekend? I notice Tim? was interested in meeting but haven't made solid plans yet. Let me know. Oh, you can do a 5spd swap in my max next :-)

 

I think is a separate ECU. I think it's called TCU. JWT sells just the upgrade TCU. Talk to the 2000 owners that had the TCU updated.

 

I noticed you said you can get one for around $650 or so w/40k on it. Where did you find this???

 

Local import yard. This was last year... they had a wrecked 96 out there, engine in good shape.. said he would sell for $650...

-Shing

 

The crackheads here in San Antonio want waaaaay more for just a short block! I started to research this cus my friend and I are thinking about modifying a vq from the ground up. BTW i was quoted $3000 for the block.

 

So you wanna go auto to 5spd. Here is a part rundown that is needed for an auto to 5spd swap that I can remember.
5spd tranny
5spd bell housing
5spd tranny mounts/engine mounts
5spd crossmember
5spd clutch/flywheel/starter/pressure plate
5spd throw out bearing
5spd pedals
5spd pedal linkages/shift linkages
5spd shift fork/shifter
5spd clutch master cylinder
5spd drive axles/ CV joints
5spd Inhibitor switch
The conversion is very involved unless you have a part car to get them from. Just get a 4.11 gear custom made for your auto and swap in an I30 auto with the LSD. Then you get 5spd acceleration with more traction for the autoX. Besides if you did do a 5spd get the one with a VLSD from the start.

 

I read somewhere on BBS long ago about a guy who transformed his 95GLE auto to a 5speed and the shop that did it took like 3 weeks or something. Isn't there a lot of cutting involved?

 

It's silly to try and part it together. I would only get the entire tranny assmebly from a yard. I am not going to bother trying to part this together. Basially, forget the auto, it's not the straight line speed that I care about. It is thoroughly boring to me driving an automatic, especially when racing or what not.

I would need three major things, peddle set, master cylnder, and tranny. I don't think that there is that big of a chnage in axles... but I will have to look into that in the manual tonight.

-Shing

 

then you definately should try the VB upgrade. I can offer you a special "Houston" price (hehe, email me for details)and work out installation if you are interested. Its a lot of work for the 5-spd, and the auto upgrade will make it feel like a totally new car.

don

 

hmm just thought of something...

auto SE maximas have that stupid electronic controlled liquid filled engie mounts. I bet I'll need tog et new mounts. Only things is I wonder if it will cause ECU to throw a code....

 

be me....

Shing....you're insane. Convert an auto to a 5-speed????

It's just not a practical thing to do in a modern car. The ECU issues alone would scare me away from it.

(Oh no, here come some Shing flames)



Seriously, man, go for the Valvebody Upgrade from Don and switch to Amsoil ATF etc, etc. Improve the tranny that's already in there. It doesn't even seem like a pleasant task to convert for the simple sake of converting.

Better yet, sell your Max and get a 5-speed one. Then, on the other hand, you could just go all-out and get a 540i 6-speed....

 

Ok here's the analysis on this subject...
Tranny and part will cost $1000 or so? Buy a different car, ie selling my maxima I'll take a bigger hint than that. Not to mention I know the history of this car but not the other car I buy. I'm not buying a new or different car for a while... atleast 2-3 years.

Driving and automatic is too unengaging. There is very little interaction. Electronics shouldn't even be a problem. There is really nothing monitoring a 5 speed manual tranny. Only thing I can think of is the rev limiter... although I don't think that's going to be an issue... as long as the tach still works it should be fine. The only part about this that I think will be bad is the labor.

I guess after doing the motor swap, I feel like something like that shouldn't be all that hard. Gathering parts maybe hard as 5-speed maximas are hard to come by.

Upgrading the VB may make the car shift faster or better, but i'm still not doing the shifting. Still no clutch to step on, no STS to adjust, no flywheel to lighten, etc etc.

I mean, I've got the time, tools, and location to do this. I just need the parts. I know that it would be a task, but I think it can be done. I know it may be crazy... but I'm not sane anyways.

-Shing

 

It can be done... Gunghoe did the swap last summer on his 97(I think, at least a 4th gen). I emailed him to contact you with info, but I haven't heard from him in quite a while.

If he contacts me I'll forward his addy to you.

 

say to hell with me and go for it.....With the CRX, it's not like down time is gonna matter....

 

Or just bored? hehehe

 

=]
I guess since you have access to a shop...
^_^
you are right about the engine mount...automatic gets electronically controlled engine mount if I am not mistaken.
definately some restructuring under the hood and and inside the car...
I think a budget of $1000 is too ambitious....I guess you can pull it through with $1000 since you will donate your own time...
let's see
If Shing 'The mechanic' is rated at $80 an hour.....
^_^

Why don't you just shift the autostick ? 1 2 D OD...
Yeah I know it is not the same , and probably a bad bad thing....still power loss too...
all the time I am grabbing the stick...wishing it was a shift stick rather that an auto stick...sigh....

If you decide to follow with your plan...might as well install a S/C or even custom turbo when you are doing it? Yes No?...^_^
Than you'll have one fast stick shift max ^_^

 

1k really isn't that far fetched. Doing SC and turbo costs too much. I do'nt want speed in the maxima really. I jsut want to have a little fun I guess.

 

Hey Shingles

im planning to do this swap myself too. maybe we can help each other out. I do know right now that you need 5speed ECU, Wiring harness, pedal assembly, Clutch master cylinder, shift linkage, oh and tranny too. Plus probably misc stuff also. Id recommend get a VLSD tranny so youll have LSD. Lemme know, Later