I've got an '88 Max Se 5-Speed. There is a '91 Max for sale that needs a transmission. My question is: Can I drop the transmission out of my '88 and put it in the '91? Are they compatible? Thanks

 

No, they're not really compatible. While you can drop a 3rd gen tranny into a 2nd gen with some modifications (Sarin did that swap, he goes by maximase86), I seriously doubt that you can put a 2nd gen tranny into a 3rd gen.

If the '91 needs a tranny, who knows what other stuff could be wrong with it, that car could have had the sh*t beat out of it throughout it's entire life. Also, why would you want to shell out money for a car that your going to have to fix if there's nothing wrong with the car your driving now? If you're going to trade up, get something better with lower miles and something you won't have to sink money into to get it running.

-C-

 

The shop that installed my transmission told me the 3rd gen transmission has a place for 3 mounts, where 2nd gen's only have place for 2. The other differences is the shift linkages are different, speedo gear, and reverse light harness. It could possibly work, but mounting it in place will be the issue. Quite honestly, it probably wouldn't be worth doing that, especially if your car is still in good condition.

S

 

Good words. My 88 has 210,000 and is running incredibly well, while this 91 has 110,000 on it and looks great. I've test driven it and everything, and it really is in great shape, except for the tranny. He's asking $400 for it, but I really don't want to buy a new transmission for it. I appreciate your words. Later

 

Well, with 210K on your current car, I don't blame you for shopping around. There are good deals to be had, so you may want to start saving up and keep your eyes open.

I was going to get a white '91 SE for $4000 with 100K on it, but unfortunately the dealership sold it.

However, another dealership has a black '91 SE with the same amount of miles and a 5 speed and they only want $3400 for it. I have to go look at it and take it for a spin to make sure everything's okay and if it is, I'll probably get it, assuming it's still there a month from now.

Granted, my 2nd gen only has 120K on it and it runs perfectly well, but if I have an opportunity to get a newer, nicer car with less miles and still get around $2000-2500 for my 2nd gen, I'm going to jump on it. $1000 extra for a 3rd gen with leather, black exterior and interior, Bose CD, sunroof, a 5 speed, and 20K less miles, can't beat that.

-C-

 

[Can't beat that. To tell the truth, this is my first Max, and even with 210k on it, it is the best running car I have ever owned. My wife has a '94 with 98k on it, and after driving it and my Max, I can't tell a difference (other than hers is an auto and mine's a stick). I can't believe what incredible cars they are.

Enjoy shopping around- sounds like you pay cash for your cars like me. That's the awesome thing about Max's- you can get one with 100k on it for nothing, and it still runs like a new car. People who ride in our 94 think it's brand new, and we only gave 4k for it. I have to change the timing belt in it soon- I changed it in my 88 and it wasn't too bad. Sucks about the tranny not being compatible- I was looking forward to dropping it out and installing it in a newer car. Later

 

EEEEKKK!
Tranny going bad at 110k. No wonder it's $400 bucks. Well I tell you this. When I did the tranny on my car, it cost $400 for the tranny, and about $600 for swap (It's expensive because what I did was had a complete clutch job done, and since they had to take out the tranny anyway, they would just swap it). This included changing the fluid in the tranny as well as put in a new master and slave clutch cylinders. If the motor is still in good condition, you may want to consider that, but quite honestly, it probably be worth your time to find a different 3rd gen. Try to find a 92SE or newer with the 5speed. The VE's in those cars are a blast to drive.

S