Another Auto to Manual thread

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 14 May 2015, 10:05

So I have a 94 854 Turbo, I see a clean 94 855 manual that I could pick up for $1200, runs and shifts well.

I know that often it is recommended to drop the manual trans in to the turbo car, but I would rather have the wagon than the sedan. Everyone says it's a ton of work, and not worth it. Probably correct, but I have another question.

So, yes, the intercooler needs to come over, but what about the wiring and ECU/TCU? Being that they are the same year wouldn't it be easier? Obviously the reverse lights and neutral start up safety switch would already be wired correctly and the TCU for the Manual would be there. Would the manual ECU be happy with my turbo engine?

Yes, I understand that this is probably silly, but as I have access to a lift and a retired Volvo mechanic.

Post by **abscate** » 14 May 2015, 10:59

The TCU for a manual transmission car is located above the driver seat, right behind the steering wheel. It will work in any model Volvo with proper training.

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 14 May 2015, 12:17

Har har har

I have that taken care of, but I heard that there would be issues requiring things to rewired. I wasn't sure if that was because most of the guides are sourcing differing year Volvos.

But thanks for that laugh.

Post by **tryingbe** » 14 May 2015, 15:55

Turbo engine needs the turbo ECU. N/A and turbo used two different type of ECU, not interchangeable what so ever. You're looking into swapping the turbo engine and all its related part (radiator, intercooler, turbo, pipings, downpipe, hoses, dash gauge, all sensor, relay, solenoid, and all the turbo wiring... etc.)

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 May 2015, 17:11

The wiring is a big deal. The '94 NA used a two ECU (ignition and fuel) Jetronic LH 3.2 system and the turbo uses a single module Motronic 4.3. All of the wiring is totally different. The '94 donor is a terrific donor for the '94 turbo though since it has the VSS on the transmission. The only thing that would need to be dealt with is the chip in the ECU. The ECU will need to get reprogrammed so that it doesn't try to talk to the TCU, which will be removed, and the throttle dampening gets altered to better deal with the manual transmission. ARD tuning can do that for you.

...Lee

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 14 May 2015, 18:33

The way I see it, and that is in my head, not in front of me, is that swapping is one thing. I am very much more comfortable swapping something, than splicing and rewiring.

Lee are you suggesting that while the wiring is totally different that getting Lucky to reprogram it would alleviate a lot of issues, or do you mean, AFTER I swap, and then rewire, it would only work with Lucky's reprogramming?

This may be more of a project than I want, but it would be hot if I pulled it off.

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 14 May 2015, 18:48

Yeah I just looked up some more diagrams. Lee, you did mean rewiring, and then reprogramming. Oy, but it could be fun...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 May 2015, 20:54

The manual to the existing turbo sedan is just the mechanical stuff and some minimal wiring changes to make the starter engage and the reverse lights work. From there the car would run but it would have a constant CEL and the throttle behavior is a bit weird between gears. The reprogramming would fix those two items.

The engine and transmission swap into the wagon is a huge deal and all of the wiring harness under the hood would need to swap. There are also wiring differences that extend into the cabin. Other changes are the exhaust system (different downpipe), the intercooler, the radiator (you need the oil cooler), and on and on. Then the same thing would apply as far as the programming goes.

If you really want a wagon it would be cheaper and easier to find a used turbo wagon and then just do the manual swap into it rather than try to convert a N/A car to a turbo.

...Lee