5 speed swap from HELL...

[Pblesh85]

Ok, I was ready to do my 5 speed swap this last week and...

Well lets just say I encountered a problem or two. Seeing how this is my first 5 speed swap I kind of figured that I would.

Im diong my swap on a s13 black top. I got a real good deal on the motor because it was an auto. I fond a transmission for $120 picked up that was fresh off a clip with only 25k on it. I thought that was a deal too hard to pass on. So I start my swap at a shop on post. Its one that you can rent a bay by the hour.

My first snag was the auto release bearing. I knew it would be a bitch to take off so I got a pilot bearing puller from autozone. Well It did not work so I tried to drill it out. After 3 broken drill bits I tried an air chizzle, nope didnt work. Next up was a air drimle. so that took a day and a half and now im back on track. Im putting my clutch it and oh wait, I am missing "one" pressure plate bolt. So I go to the dealer and ask for sr parts(ha-ha...) so I got a 93 ser bolt and now I can finaly put my transmission in. Well this step is a bit of a task. I used a transmission jack to lift the trans and a pole jack to jack the front of the motor up and lower the rear to line up and make room to slide in to place(it was not too hard and a good way to do it if you dont want to pull the motor). The transmission did not have any of the sensors on it when I bought it and I thought that the auto ones would transfer over. Guess what... they dont. Im dumb ect... what ever.

So now im up shit creek... I now need all the sensors that go on the trans. for a S13 black top. Does any one have any or know where I can get them ???

[GSXRJJordan]

If you'd have searched around before starting, you'd know that the sensors are all the same for the manual trannys... you can just head to the junkyard and get your neutral, 5th gear, and VSS. Make sure the VSS you buy matches your cluster.

Yes, auto pilot bearings are a bitch... I've done the "hammer is around a bit, pack it with grease, and shove an extension in there", and the grease pushes it out. When that doesn't work, dremels are your friend.

[Pblesh85]

I was searching for the parts, not if they were compatable or not. Do you know if autozone would carry them ? Or the dealer ?

[gijoe69]

its ok bosss freggin..........I broke the Kragen Auto Parts pilot bearing puller so I just ended up going to a Harbor Freight and bought 2 pilot bearing pullers for $10 each x 2 = $20.00 rather than paying 60 bucks + deposit.... 1st puller broke , 2nd puller worked like a charm...I also broke a pressure plate bolt damn 3/8 Snap On Torque Wrench needs rebuilding..

[gijoe69]

also what I did took a torch and heat it up using penetrating oil to heat it up....

[projectRDM]

I was searching for the parts, not if they were compatable or not. Do you know if autozone would carry them ? Or the dealer ?

Dealer, but all you *need* is the VSS. Buy pipe plugs the same pitch and just cap the remaining holes. You do not need the neutral or 5th gear switches at all. If you want reverse lights you'll need to find a reverse switch, any 89-98 KA or 84-88 Z31 will have it.

[Pblesh85]

Do you mean block off the plastic port and the one by the shifter ? Also does vss stand for varible speed sensor ?

[WangonwWarrior]

Dealer, but all you *need* is the VSS. Buy pipe plugs the same pitch and just cap the remaining holes. You do not need the neutral or 5th gear switches at all. If you want reverse lights you'll need to find a reverse switch, any 89-98 KA or 84-88 Z31 will have it.


This man is right once again:bowdown: + rep as always


The speed sensor is the only sensor on the trans that has a bolt to hold it on. you will know it when you pull it out b/c it should have a red or white gear on it... hope this helps

[Pblesh85]

I know what the vss is and does. When I got my trans the only thing it had was the clutch fork. Nothing else, not even a shifter. I thought the auto vss would bolt up. I was wrong, its too big. But there are two more ports, a plastic fitting that looks like the 5th gear and a metal bolt with a hole in it that sits over something that shows what gear your in(im assuming its neutral).

[projectRDM]

I have no clue what you're talking about, but depending on year you will have the following:

VSS sits at the tail end of the transmission, low, held in with an M6 bolt. VSS= vehicle speed sensor. You have to have it.

On the case you will have either three or four threaded holes for switches, reverse, neutral, 5th gear, and 4th gear (only on S13 DOHCs), these can all be plugged with pipe plugs found at any competent hardware or hydraulic supply store.

There are two large M24 holes, one for the drain plug, one for fill. These have to be capped. The only other opening anywhere on the transmission would be the hole for the CPS in the top of the bellhousing on an S14 case. It can be left open or capped, your choice.