transmission swap

[GrndmGrl05]

Hey guys.. I was just wondering if anyone could help me out with this question I have. I currently have an automatic 1999 Grand Am SE, and I'm interested in switching to a five speed manual transmission. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I could go about doing the swap or if it would even be worth it... if so where I could go to find a manual transmission for that would fit my 1999 Grand Am? Thanks

[MantaGreen97]

It's quite doable given you have the 2.4L TC, but whether its worth it or not is another story.

You'd pretty much just need the trans from a car with the same engine, along with the PCM I'm sure and perhaps some wiring harnesses. You'll also need the linkage/shifter along with the clutch pedal of course...

Depending on if you're doing the work yourself or paying someone to do it, in the end it might just be cheaper/easier to buy another GA that already has the manual trans.

Also I noticed you put Quad4 at the side for your engine--technically the 2.4L 4cyl in your 99 is not a Quad4, though it is quite similar (and based off the Quad). It carries the name "Twin Cam" instead and has several differences from the Quad4 engines. (Unless you somehow removed the LD9 that would have been in the car originally and swapped it with a Quad4 engine.)

[2K SE]

It took me several months just to get all the parts for the swap. Then about 2 weeks of drinking, swearing, and turning bolts. $2500 later I was done. I still would do it again because I really prefer the 5 speed to the slush box. And that cost was just about what I would have paid to have the slipping auto rebuilt. Good luck on whatever you do but as stated above you may be wise to sell your car and buy a 5 speed.

[Ralph]

Good luck finding the parts alone it took me 6 months. If you look back at my old threads about it under the name of onilink67 I believe I have a complete list. I am holding off till I do an engine build since its pointless to pull the engine twice.

[litdevil316]

thats something i plan on doing. if i had 975bucks to spare 2weeks ago, i would have had a complete 96-98 2.4 5spd. but i didnt. so once i get back from this next tour of iraq, i plan on shopping around for a complete donner car. best bet to do, that way you have every part you need.

[GAJ83]

I'd be wary about the 5-speed manual in place of the 4-speed auto. I've know someone who has the 5-speed equivalent of my car and it revs higher than mine at speed, a full 500-1000 higher. That can't be good for fuel economy.

However, if you do it, let me know how it turns out. Love to mod my car into a manual when the auto finally goes.

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by GAJ83
I'd be wary about the 5-speed manual in place of the 4-speed auto. I've know someone who has the 5-speed equivalent of my car and it revs higher than mine at speed, a full 500-1000 higher. That can't be good for fuel economy.

:???: The driver of a manual picks when to shift. They can choose to shift exactly when the auto would if that's what floats their boat. As for fuel economy, the manual will nearly always outperform the auto.

[GAJ83]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
:???: The driver of a manual picks when to shift. They can choose to shift exactly when the auto would if that's what floats their boat. As for fuel economy, the manual will nearly always outperform the auto.

That's true.

Personally, I'd love a good 5-speed manual in my car. Manual transmission makes it more of a fun, driver's car.

[ENGGUY]

I would rather the Automatic than a manual. Cruise control is a joke in a manual trans car, you have to shift, so if you multi task while driving you have to have a hand to shift with. Try it with a cast on a broken right arm. A manual transmission is proven slower on the drag strip. The 2 speed powerglide rules, in many competions. Shifting is for the macho truck drivers that get mad when they have to slow down and shift, those 13 to 20 speed gear boxes. I drive a manual in heavy traffic and hate every minute of it. Keep the auto, it will have better resale value, for the young ones that cann't drive a manual.

[Ralph]

on smaller high reving 4 bangers standard transmissions have been proven to have an advantage so that you can take advantage of the power at high rpms. On a lot of the bigger engines I agree an automatic built can shift perfectly with no human error which is better for the track.

[Matt95GT]

I would rather the Automatic than a manual. Cruise control is a joke in a manual trans car, you have to shift, so if you multi task while driving you have to have a hand to shift with. Try it with a cast on a broken right arm. A manual transmission is proven slower on the drag strip. The 2 speed powerglide rules, in many competions. Shifting is for the macho truck drivers that get mad when they have to slow down and shift, those 13 to 20 speed gear boxes. I drive a manual in heavy traffic and hate every minute of it. Keep the auto, it will have better resale value, for the young ones that cann't drive a manual.

Cruise control is no different... it works equally well on both trans types. (I have owned both types of GA)

In context of this thread (2.4 LD9 engine and all FWD Grand Ams in general), that is incorrect - the manual cars will be faster. Sure, the auto can be more consistent, but these aren't drag racers.

Resale value? Considering how bad the resale of the GA (and most GM cars) is, that won't matter much.

[1badga]

i agree the fuel economy of the 5 speed is much better like it's been sead you pick when to shift i have had 2 of the same car 1 stick 1 auto and the manuel is much faster they were not grand am's but they were gm cars both were 1994 cavalier z24's

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/1badgto/bothtealzs.jpg

the one on the left was the stick the one on the right was auto, :P it was fun to have two of the same car and the cops were defitly confused,we lets just say were alil bit crazy :eek::eek: