Tranny Swap

Hey everyone,
Im new to the forum. I guess you could call me a newbie but i have faith in that i know what im talking about. Im not all that mechanical smart or anything like that but im in the process of learning. Ive had a 90 hatch and now i have a 93 convertible. As you know convertibles came as autos. Im going for drift , its what ive been into since i got my license. I am currently planning a tranny swap from auto to 5 speed. I have all the parts i think.....I just need to get the ECU and Pedal assembly. Does anyone have any advice while doing this swap. My cousin (hes a mechanic) and i are doing the swap in my grandfathers garage over the winter. I was just wondering if anyone had any valuable advice that they could give me? Is there anything unordinary that i need to pay attention to? Wiring? Anything like that? Well thank you for reading this post and i hope to hear from someone soon. I Bought the car as a project and thats just what it is...... Does anyone know anything about Convertibles? I need some interior parts becuase the seals are bad and sometimes leaks......... Thanks for your time.
Josh
Bristol,TN
You can im me at Deshiroll (aim)

you could reuse the auto ecu, you dont need the manual one. i believe they are just about the same.

also you need the manual driveshaft, don't forget about it.

i have some advice for you. Sell it and by a manual. why would you want a convt for drifting????????? doesnt make sense, think about it... but if your that set on it read this..
http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/s14_5speed_swap.htm
its for a s14 swap, same basic thing.

How much different is a S13 swap gonna be from an S14 swap?

your gonna have to get parts from a s13 and the parts you put on may be in a different location, so not that much different.

GET RID OF THE CONVERTBL!!!! BODY RolL UP THE ASS!!! u will nead a roll cage just so u can take turns fast; never the less Drift.
plus the swap should be simple, really. make sure u get the manual drive shaft.



BTW, get a LSD if u want to drift. AUTO or Stick is not as important yet. LSD first.


good luck and keep us posted!

Convertible chassis are weaksauce... added weight in convertible parts and even more weight when you attempt to streghthen the chassis to even begin to think about drifting

I got a video of some crazy asian guy drifting a convertible at some asian drift show. No roll cage, and he kicked so much ass! Could you get a manual on convertible in Japan? Oh and drifting a convert is so stylin'!!!! lol

ok for one i think the conversion is worth it being that i did one myself.
as far as the pedals go, check you local junk yard.
i bought the whole manual transmission set for $200.00 and i must say it is worth it.
i only had 2 problem i had was with the auto shifter starter switch. you need to over ride that of just take it off the transmission and mount it under the hood.
And the fluid clutch system must installed. you must bore a hole in the fire wall to mount the master cylinder for the clutch. the clutch pedal bracket is already there so thats all you need to do.

Its your project car do what you want.

Good Luck

put it this way. you either spend $1000 or more in hardware to reduce any frame flexing or put that $1000 into a new car with the money you have from selling the convertible. it doesn't sound like you'll get a lot of money for it since you said it was a project car.. there's the easy way and then there's the enthusiast's way. its your call if you want to spend the extra time and money making this a convertible drifter but you'd be better off buying a coupe or fastback for a project. it'll save you lots of time and money on stiffening up your chassis. .02

i can drift my convertible but i suck at drifting but it can still be done yes the frame is weaker but i think you all are exaggerating it a little bit.

i don't think we're exaggerating.. the frame would be fucked after 2 months

well i plan on doing a lot to stiffen up the chassis

ok, let us know how much money you put into it and how long it works. i'm not trying to discourage you but its gonna be tough to keep the frame straight.. good luck with it