The best automatic transmission is... (lots of pics)
 

The one you are about to swap out for a 5 speed manual. I'm in the middle of this project right now on a volvo 240. The Japanese 4 speed auto in this car wasn't blessed with a locking torque converter so it guzzles gas like nobody's business. Sure I've done a lot of other little things to improve fuel economy. Electric cooling fan conversion, synthetic fluids, fresh gaskets, hoses, filters, plugs, wires... the list goes on and on. But in the end I had to stop ignoring the obvious and just do it. Right now the job is half done. The clutch and brake pedal are in and the slushbox is ready to come out.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/3...0811eaa4_o.jpg

The 5 speed is waiting to go in.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/3...91d26ddd_o.jpg

The pedals were the hard part of the swap. You have to remove the driver's seat and work on your back to reach the 10 or so bolt attaching the pedal box to the firewall.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/3...0e038401_o.jpg

And Just so the Civic crowd doesn't feel left out, I rebuilt a 2001 civic 5 speed when 2nd gear decided to bite the dust. You haven't lived life until you tried to put one of the puppies back together
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/3...3aa9e3d8_o.jpg

While the volvo was out of commission, I replaced all the leaking gaskets, crumbling hoses, failed injector seals and cleaned out the carbon and oily grime build up inside the TB and intake. Messy work but somebody has to do it.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/3...a54e9a54_o.jpg

Topped it all off with a catch can (oil air separator) for crankcase ventilation.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/4...e80433ce_o.jpg

The 5 speed should be going in this weekend. The old 4 speed auto is on its last legs. Theres a horrible knocking noise from the torque converter but it still runs like a champ. Got to love 18 year old volvos.

Best of luck and keep us all updated! :thumbup:

I'm piecing together parts for a swap in my CRX.

nice post love the pics and info might consider doing the same

Nice work. :thumbup:

Great Idea
 

There's nothing like a manual-swap to get rid of that slushbox.

Life would be so much simpler with a 5-speed.

Great idea and good luck! :thumbup:

Definitely keep us posted...

RH77

I've done a similar swap on an 81 Datsun pickup, and kudos to you for taking it on. There will likely be a few unexpected minor stumbling blocks on the way, but it's worth it to get rid of poor performing slushboxes.

Good luck!

The slushbox is out of the car
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/4...cf6a78a0_o.jpg
Its a beast of a thing. Weighs almost twice as much as the 5 speed going in.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/4...02907b2f_o.jpg
Unfortunately the manual I picked up was a dud. Internal damage that I didn't catch before buying it. But it was only $75 so no big deal. The pedals, flywheel, clutch, cable, driveshaft are all in and ready to go. I'll be looking for another 5 speed this weekend. The car is sitting pretty in the garage on 4 jack stands.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/4...2d6e8d1a_o.jpg

Nice. I really need to do this in my Honda.

What do you call that FE mod on the front that looks sort of like a Morebucks Coffee cup?

Its alive!!!
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/4...8a7d1190_o.jpg

I test drove it tonight for the first time and what a difference a 5 speed makes. The whole car feels much move lively.
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/4...3a23368d_o.jpg
A few ods and ends need to be done like reverse light and clutch pedal to starter lockout.

Parting shot
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/4...d057d253_o.jpg

I'm glad it wasn't a breach.