I thought about this for a week or so before remembering that I registered here for a reason..Anyone have any ideas as to whether or not it would be possible to swap a VE engine and 5 spd tranny from a 92 SE into a 92 GXE? I guess I should ask if it would be possible to do with help from various shadetree mechanics so that it didn't cost $2000ish in labor..I've replaced auto trannies with manual trannies in 73-87 GM full size pickups before and know it takes some creative use of a sawzall and a large punching bag isn't a bad idea...I ask because my 92 GXE with absolutely no rust and a near perfect beige interior is getting up to 135k and has never in its history had the tranny fluid changed and I know this tranny is not gonna last forever and would rather have a 5 spd instead of an auto..

are any of the suspension differences between an SE and a GXE potential problems with an engine/tranny swap or is there little difference in weight and actual size?

 

what suspension differences do you think there are between the SE and GXE?

 

I've heard/read that the GXE had a "softer", more luxury type suspension and the SE had a somewhat stiffer suspension..

 

But how would that affect the swapping of the engine and tranny in any way?

 

Well, I'm going by what I know..when I pulled the 305ci engine outta my truck and replaced it with a 400 small block, there was enough weight difference that I had to install new shocks and springs to keep the front end from sagging too much. I don't know what if any weight differences there are between the VG engine/tranny and VE engine/tranny, and I didn't want to get done with a swap and THEN find out the VE engine is signifigantly lighter/heavier and requires the stiffer springs from an SE to sit right.

 

Oh, I thought you meant differences as in the actual suspension setup. Anyways....

If you have both the cars in your posession and feel like attempting it, then sure it's possible if you know what you are doing. It's gonna involve some electronic and wiring work as well.

Best solution?

Just look for a VE five speed. All that time and work into the car is just gonna more trouble than its worth.

If you want to keep your car, just wait until the transmission goes out on you, and then switch to a five speed.

 

ok, I'm not going to buy an SE 5 speed car unless its totaled for parts anyway, I think if I buy another car it's going to be a camaro/monte carlo, but back to being closer on track, will the 5 spd transmission bolt up to the VG motor? if so, then I'll just do that..this VG has a lot of miles left on it..

 

If you are talking about the VG five speed then yes, it will and be a direct fit. I know that the VE one will as well, just requires some modifications to do so.

 

A bit off topic but the 305ci and 400ci small block chevy are both the same block, differences are merely bore and stroke so not really any weight difference there.

 

ok, I think I've got it straightened out..If I take a 5 speed out of an older SE that had a VG (since, in 92 atleast, all GXEs came with auto transmissions..I really haven't looked at all years of maximas) it will be a direct fit..and then all I have to do is drill/cut the neccesary holes for the clutch and then adapt a boot and the shifter from the 5 spd donor VG into the opening in my console where the automatic shifter is now...if any of that rambling I just did made any sense...

 

The manual tranny from any third gen, even the 92-94 SE will fit the VG engine.

 

Yep made perfect sense, my 91se is 5 speed with VG so 89-91se parts car and you're good to go with a bit of work.

 

great, thanks a lot..I'll start looking around for an 89-91 SE parts car w/ good 5 spd tranny NOW so when this tranny DOES go out I'll already have it all ready (I hope).

as for my 400 being heavier than my 305 was, my 400 had a heavier intake and heads..my 305 had aluminum heads and an aluminum intake that I sold with the motor..I also had to put in a new radiator since the old one was shot, so I just put in a slightly bigger one, and a bigger new primary battery and a 2nd battery and an air tank/compressor that weren't there before, it all added up to being close to 170 lbs heavier than what it was before, it wasn't just the engine that was heavier.

Again, thanks for the advice

 

So you are saying that any tranny from a 92-94 VE five speed will work on the VG?

 

WRONG!!! they take different coil springs with different load and weight ratings.
Small block Chevies all have the same EXTERNAL dimensions but they have different weights. Even such slight differences as 2 or 4 bbl carb will change the coil spring.