98 ZX2 manual to auto converison

mt54 · #1 04-08-2009, 04:23 PM

I have a 1998 ZX2, the car is in great shape. I’m toying with the idea of changing out the manual 5 speed trany for a automatic.
I’m looking for any ideas as to how much this would entail.
Of course I’m aware of the obvious, such as shifter, removal of the clutch, and reverse swithch
Are there any other considerations or major road blocks ?

AzTumbleweed · #2 04-09-2009, 09:16 AM

My personal opinion is that it would be easier to replace the whole car.

zzyzzx2 · #3 04-09-2009, 09:40 AM

People do it, but it should be easy enough to find one with an automatic already.

Davescort97 · #4 04-09-2009, 07:01 PM

I don't think it would be too hard to do if you have a zx2 with the auto in it. It would be a lot easier to put an auto in a manual rather than a manual in a auto. You would have to change the flywheel to put on a torque converter. The auto would bolt right up to your existing engine. The cross member might have to be switched as the tranny mounts would be different. You would have to switch over the PCM and run the cable and linkage to a shifter in the console. You would have to switch over the console. As far as the park--interlock switch you could just leave that off of it. Not really needed. The kick-down switch would have to be hooked up. I don't see it being that hard to do if you had a donar car to use to switch over. All the clutch stuff. Rip it out. I don't see axles as being needed for the switch. The ones you have now should fit. Another thing is that the speed sensor would have to be switched over so that tranny would know when to shift. The shift into different gears is controlled by electrical solenoids that are wired to the computer. The wiring harness for the auto tranny would have to be switched over. It is a do-able swap. If you have the car the auto came from it would make it a whole lot easier. If you do it keep us posted. It would be interesting to hear about.

zzyzzx2 · #5 04-10-2009, 09:07 AM

Would be easier to find someone who wants to put a manual transmission in a car with a auto and swap cars.

Davescort97 · #6 04-11-2009, 04:59 AM

You know they're are right. Even if you got 99% of it right the other 1% could completely trash such a project.

mt54 · #7 04-11-2009, 12:09 PM

thanks for the input guys.
At this point I'm not sure if I'm doing this or not.
I'll keep yas posted if I do.

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