Tranny swap question:

[HomeGrown]

Suppose I wanted to swap the 5-speed from my 1988 into my 1991. No problem swapping the 5-speed, right?

Now suppose I want to swap the automatic into the '88. Will the ECU from the '91 work in the '88, and vice-versa? I'm assuming that the ECU in the '88 is NOT equipped or programmed to function with the automatic, since it came with a 5-speed, right?

To what extent is the tranny "electronically controlled"? Will it drive and shift without it's control unit? I'm sure the PWR/NORM button wouldn't function, but what about the basic operation and shifting?

If I do this swap, I would dump the '88 as soon as the swap was done.

[atobe]

i don't think you have to swap the ECU it doesn't care what tranny you have. all it cares about is the neutral safety switch... i remmeber on my swap i didn't touch the ECU i just wired the clutch to neutral and rig up the reverse light that's about it... but i think there's a ECU for the tranny for the electronic tranny it's under the ashtray i think. someone correct me if i'm wrong... i didn't have an E tranny i had the old L one

[HomeGrown]

Good info, thanks atobe. I think I recall seeing a tranny swap thread here..... will have to see if I can find it.

[toyomoho]

The older trans were the A140L that were hydraulic shifting, the newer A140E is electronic. Find out which one you have.

The A140E requires a computer to properly shift gears.

[HomeGrown]

If we're talking trannys that were available in the Gen2 cars, then my '91 probably has the A140E. I imagine the "L" tranny wouldn't have the PWR/NORM button?

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by HomeGrown

If we're talking trannys that were available in the Gen2 cars, then my '91 probably has the A140E. I imagine the "L" tranny wouldn't have the PWR/NORM button?

Yup. That's the easiest way to tell from inside the car.

As long as you are comfortable with all the mechanical work involved, you shouldn't have too much trouble with what you are planning.

Keep in mind:
- You will need to get a new flywheel and flexplate (you have one 6-bolt motor and one 8-bolt, probably)
- You will have to drill and fill (on opposite cars) some holes in the firewall and exhaust tunnel
- The ECUs are not compatible between the two cars - they have different enough wiring that they are not plug-n-play between (different injectors, different O2 sensors, possibly some other stuff) - not counting the auto/manual differences.
- And probably some other stuff I am forgetting.

There might be a challenge to get the wiring for the TCU (transmission control unit) between the main engine harness and the TCU. I'm not sure how they are connected (I haven't taken apart my auto car yet...). Be prepared to have a junk car when you are done if you aren't ready to find a few more parts here and there.

-Charlie

[atobe]

yeah 140L doesn't have pwr/norm button while 140E does

[HomeGrown]

I'm plenty comfortable with the mechanical work involved, but it sounds as if the secondary swap (auto into the old 5-speed car) will be the headache. Thanks for clearing that up Charlie, I may be better off finding another donor, preferably from a junkyard.

Problem is, the '88 is too good to die as a donor, but it's also not good enough to put the hundreds into it to make it better (new struts, new tires, exhaust work) or to spend hours upon hours with the hassle of getting the "E" automatic functioning in it, only to turn around and dump it as soon as it's done.

I like to choose my battles wisely.