Question on 97 (4 cyl) camry tranny swap

[ninja92]

Hello,
I have a question about an automatic to manual conversion on a 97 Camry. It is a the inline 4 5s-fe model. It is currently an auto, and I would like to have a stick shift. However it will be my first car (hand-me-down from dad). It is a well working machine, but I was wondering about down the tranny swap, if its even worth it. If anybody can spare any estimates on time, or money, or any advice, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

PS will take any other advice too, engines, electronics, etc

[toyomoho]

Suggest a TN site search this topic has come up many times.

It has been done many times. The best approach is to find a wrecked donor car where you can pull off all the parts.

If wanting to change the engine it is best just to find another car.

[ninja92]

hey thanks toyomoho,
i tried to search the site, using keywords like camry, conversion, transmission, swap, but didn't really get anything that gives like a price or timeframe. I found alot of pics of this one guy swapping the tranny out in a 95 i think, but i think he was just replacing auto with another auto. took him 16 hours, 2 ppl. also tried google, but didn't find much :/

[ninja92]

oops, i missed the page 1 of like 17 on the bottom when searching

[ninja92]

http://www.1jz.com/camry/guide-trans.htm

found this, is the the right thing?

[2win2rbo]

Originally Posted by ninja92

http://www.1jz.com/camry/guide-trans.htm

found this, is the the right thing?

Yap! this really helped a lot when I did my transmission swap.

[ninja92]

cool thanks.

about how long did it take you?

i want to do this myself with help. i think a garage would cost too much and there no experience involved.

[ninja92]

*update*

I noticed allot of the "tutorials" on here or posts where people talk about are swaps on 3rd generation Camrys. Is there a big difference between a 3rd gen and a 4th? or is the difference mostly cosmetic?

[2win2rbo]

Originally Posted by ninja92

cool thanks.

about how long did it take you?

i want to do this myself with help. i think a garage would cost too much and there no experience involved.

It took me about 10 Hours. If you're planning to do it by yourself, an engine crane would be helpful. I took the auto tranny from the top. It would also help if you have an engine hoist. And have the manual transmission checked first. You wouldn't want to use worn out synchros.

[ninja92]

ah thanks for the tips.

so if i find a 97 Camry with a 5s-fe and a stick transmission at a junk yard i would just strip the parts from that one and install them on my car? i think i would get a new clutch and flywheel if i did that though. would they all match and everything?

[2win2rbo]

Originally Posted by ninja92

ah thanks for the tips.

so if i find a 97 Camry with a 5s-fe and a stick transmission at a junk yard i would just strip the parts from that one and install them on my car? i think i would get a new clutch and flywheel if i did that though. would they all match and everything?

Yes, they should all match perfectly.

[ninja92]

awesome thanks for the help 2win2rbo and toyomoho

and so the hunt for parts begins....

once i start to get parts, if i have questions i'll ask again, for now im gonna go through forum for more info.

oh im guessing a like Haynes manual will come in very handy?