I have a 91 corolla dx with a A131l. On the way home today the trans locked completely up and skid me to a quick hault. I pulled the trans about 20 mins ago and would like to bolt in a 4 speed to reduce engine wear on this poor 1.6L motor. Is there a bolt on 4 speed that anyone has any experience with? otherwise, i guess i can fly blind and figure it out.
I am thinking about an a240e or a245e. I realize that they are electronically controlled but am trying to figure out what would need top be done to make this work.
Thanks
CJ
Last edited by n0ccj; 02-03-2010 at 11:34 PM.
Reason: typo
It's not going to reduce engine wear, per se... A 4 speed auto would be more economical than a 3 speed auto because that 4th gear can save gas at high speeds. But I've taken my 3 speed up to 100+ mph before, as an auto and 5spd manual. Engine is super strong, it has 240k something miles.
I'm not to sure about the O/D button and wiring, but all the trans will bolt right up for sure.
I have a 91 corolla dx with a A131l. On the way home today the trans locked completely up and skid me to a quick hault. I pulled the trans about 20 mins ago and would like to bolt in a 4 speed to reduce engine wear on this poor 1.6L motor. Is there a bolt on 4 speed that anyone has any experience with? otherwise, i guess i can fly blind and figure it out.
I am thinking about an a240e or a245e. I realize that they are electronically controlled but am trying to figure out what would need top be done to make this work.
Thanks
CJ
There is a non-electronic 4-speed. I believe its the same numbers you mentioned but without the "e". Long ago I made the mistake of buying the electronic version of the 4 speed to do the same swap that you want to do. When I was done with the swapping, it didn't work because alas it was the electronic version and I didn't have an ECU with a TCU in it. I ended up building a TCU out of a Basic stamp and programming it to shift like a normal auto transmission. So save yourself the trouble and find the non-electronic version. I saw it in the junkyard not too much later after I did the swap...
If you get the non-"E" transmission, I believe all you will need to do for the O/D, is wire up a switch to turn it on and off.
__________________
'88 Corolla, AE92 SR-5, 7A-FE swap/GT-S suspension
'87 Corolla, AE82 FX-16, 4A-GZE swap (autocrosser)
'03 Tundra 4X4 Access Cab, (FX tow vehicle/Home Depot runner)
Modification: Changing something to what you thought it should have been from the start!
I have a 91 corolla dx with a A131l. On the way home today the trans locked completely up and skid me to a quick hault. I pulled the trans about 20 mins ago and would like to bolt in a 4 speed to reduce engine wear on this poor 1.6L motor. Is there a bolt on 4 speed that anyone has any experience with? otherwise, i guess i can fly blind and figure it out.
I am thinking about an a240e or a245e. I realize that they are electronically controlled but am trying to figure out what would need top be done to make this work.
Thanks
CJ
sounds like the differential locked up, the trans could still be salvaged if the case is intact.
Well all, I did it! I swapped an a240l into my a131l 91 corolla and thought i would share some info for anyone searching in the future.
Most of the steps are obvious but i wanted to point out some of the tricker items.
1.) when ordering parts order for a 92 corolla...
2.) When replacing the upper mount on the trans to the new a240 mount order a mount for a 93 corolla with a 1.8 (7afe) and an a240l.
3.) the shift cable is actually a different length by about .5 in. Makes park a bit stiffer, but still goes in solid.
4.) replace all the mounts when you are under there, they are inexpensive and you already have them out.
5.) run an external transcooler while you are there.
6.) the clearences are very close, make sure you remove the charcoaal canister and relocate the hose out of the bottom.
7.) get ziplocs and label all bolt locations, trust me there are alot of bolts.
8.) torque data for these is very hard to comeby, spend some time researching torque specs before you start.
9.) if you didnt have a 4 speed before the dash may not be wired for it (od/off light) it is pin 9 on the connector on the back (closest to the center of the car), goto the junk yard and cut off one of these connectors to have the pins. Put ur screw driver in the end lift the table and pull pin out solder a 30 inch extension to this and add it to the missing harness on your car.
10.) adding an od/off switch. You can find the wire you need by removing the ash tray and the cassette holder. Find the light green wire on the left side in the console area, splice into this wire and add a small pigtail so that your wire from step 9 and this wire are near each other. Solder the 2 together. Get a solder joint and add 1 14 - 16 gauge wire to wherever you want the switch, attach 1 side of the switch to this wire and the other side to ground. when you flip the switch you will simeltaniously activate the dash light and turn o/d off.
I can add pics later and will probably add more detail, but this should be enough of the trickier parts to get someone who might want to do this moving forward. I did it in 2 nights, first night (same night i first posted) i pulled the trans, yesterday a put a new one in so its not to hard, just time consuming.
Well all, I did it! I swapped an a240l into my a131l 91 corolla and thought i would share some info for anyone searching in the future.
Most of the steps are obvious but i wanted to point out some of the tricker items.
1.) when ordering parts order for a 92 corolla...
2.) When replacing the upper mount on the trans to the new a240 mount order a mount for a 93 corolla with a 1.8 (7afe) and an a240l.
3.) the shift cable is actually a different length by about .5 in. Makes park a bit stiffer, but still goes in solid.
4.) replace all the mounts when you are under there, they are inexpensive and you already have them out.
5.) run an external transcooler while you are there.
6.) the clearences are very close, make sure you remove the charcoaal canister and relocate the hose out of the bottom.
7.) get ziplocs and label all bolt locations, trust me there are alot of bolts.
8.) torque data for these is very hard to comeby, spend some time researching torque specs before you start.
9.) if you didnt have a 4 speed before the dash may not be wired for it (od/off light) it is pin 9 on the connector on the back (closest to the center of the car), goto the junk yard and cut off one of these connectors to have the pins. Put ur screw driver in the end lift the table and pull pin out solder a 30 inch extension to this and add it to the missing harness on your car.
10.) adding an od/off switch. You can find the wire you need by removing the ash tray and the cassette holder. Find the light green wire on the left side in the console area, splice into this wire and add a small pigtail so that your wire from step 9 and this wire are near each other. Solder the 2 together. Get a solder joint and add 1 14 - 16 gauge wire to wherever you want the switch, attach 1 side of the switch to this wire and the other side to ground. when you flip the switch you will simeltaniously activate the dash light and turn o/d off.
I can add pics later and will probably add more detail, but this should be enough of the trickier parts to get someone who might want to do this moving forward. I did it in 2 nights, first night (same night i first posted) i pulled the trans, yesterday a put a new one in so its not to hard, just time consuming.
What year car was your transmission from? I need to replace my A131L in my 91 and am looking at options. Do you know if an A131L or an A240L from a newer model Corolla would work? It's very hard to come across an older transmission in my area.
so i got the trans from a trans shop. it is out of a 93. It cost me 250. It is a good setup. i dont get much better gas mileage abt 5 or so better. but the wear and tear and top speed and cruising speed are better. Plus there is less noise too. The only 4 speed you have without MAJOR mods, or adding a computer is the a240l because it is not electronically controled.
PM me if you want more details or need to talk abt it.
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A131l Trans Swap
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