98 tranny in 93 = problems!

[thx247]

I have not yet had a chance to get the engine running but I expect that it will work just fine.

Its a 98 engine and tranny in a 93 hatchback, the tranny is bolted into the car properly as in all bolts fit properly and tranny supports seem to lineup properly. The problem is that the tranny is sitting maybe an inch or 3/4's of an inch to low where the shifter would be. Low enough that I can access the 2 most forward bolts of the shift plate that holds the shifter onto the tranny from the top side of the car. (you guys that replaced the shifters know which two bolts im talking about right?)

I cannot see how else the engine should fit in the engine bay right now, it appears to be sitting on the engine mounts properly, and the tranny is sitting on the supports properly as well afaik. But its way to low as it is now.

Anyone got any ideas here? I'm tempted to swap the other tranny (93') in or take some measurements to just make sure its all on the up and up.

The point where the driveshaft connects to the tranny appears to be at a very slight angle, the rubber is being flexed ever so slightly right now, could that be a clue?

I am using the 93 tranny braces on the 98 tranny. They should be the same right?

here are some picts of the situation. Maybe these will help out some. Oh, and I am using the 93 motor mounts with the 98 brackets (the metal bracket that bolts to the engine block)

http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/engine_angle_side.jpg
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/engine_flat_front.jpg
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/engine_flat_side.jpg
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/trans_shifter_angle.jpg
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/trans_shifter_straight.jpg
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/under_trans_left.jpg
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/awaher//cars/under_trans_right.jpg


Thank you

[max power]

Check your tranny crossmember (4 screws), is it bent? it's the longish piece that lies inside the transmition mount rubber pad. I beleive this is where your problem is; don't really see what you could do with the motor mounts...

At one time my motor/tranny were sitting 1-2" to the front and one of the header heat shields got in the way of steering. Also, your car will most likely pop out of 2 and 4 gear, so try slapping that 98 xmember on there and see where that takes you.

[drift freaq]

you have bolted something in wrong or something i.e. tranny crossmember is possibly bent.
I ran a 98 trans in a 91 with no problems not only that but the trans crossmembers for the different years are all the same. Now if you used the auto trans cross member that could be your problem. They are the reverse3 of the manual trans cross member.

[thx247]

The cross member is bent but its bent the way it should be bent. iirc it is not a perfectly flat piece of metal, but instead one side of it mounts higher up than the other side. You can see in the pictures that everything is lining up properly. The cross memeber is also for a manual 93 (obviously)


Would pictures of another area help you guys out?


I can't see the problem area even though there should be one. I can take picts of the cross member if you like as well.