Swapping manual to an auto- You read that right! Topic is solved

Post by **Kara503** » 27 Jul 2018, 13:46

It finally happened!! For only $500, I sourced a 1997 N/A 855 with an m56! I can't wait to start the swap on my platinum!

However, the donor car is in great shape. The engine runs strong, the body and interior are great other than some pass. side body damage, and I am in need of a backup car. It is also a red 855 which I have ALWAYS wanted.

What do I need to take into consideration if I am going to swap the auto trans from my Platinum into the red car? Wiring harness swap? Can I just cut part of a harness out of a junkyard car and do some splicing? Will I run into problems because the auto is going from a turbo car into an NA car? Anything else I am forgetting? Any insight is helpful

sventastic · Post by **sventastic** » 27 Jul 2018, 14:27

The N/A car will get even slower because the turbo auto transmission has longer gear ratios

I'm unfortunately not of much help on wiring. Onething to check would be whether they use the same type of ECU - should both be M4.3?

Post by **Kara503** » 27 Jul 2018, 16:19

sventastic wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 14:27 The N/A car will get even slower because the turbo auto transmission has longer gear ratios

I'm unfortunately not of much help on wiring. Onething to check would be whether they use the same type of ECU - should both be M4.3?

I'm okay with the gear ratios. It would be a backup daily driver and my utility wagon, so slow/ better mpg is better

Good call on the ECU control! A quick google search reveals that 1996 and 1997 (The years for the cars) could be either 4.3 or 4.4. Looks like I need to find out.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 27 Jul 2018, 20:15

I’m sure that I’m not the the only one thinking this,
but have you considered just leaving the $500 car
alone and and continuing your quest for a tranny?
I’m just sayin’ - If it ain’t broke...

Post by **Kara503** » 28 Jul 2018, 11:23

BEJinFbk wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 20:15 I’m sure that I’m not the the only one thinking this,
but have you considered just leaving the $500 car
alone and and continuing your quest for a tranny?
I’m just sayin’ - If it ain’t broke...

I haven't because I already bought the car but I understand what you are getting at. That's why I want to put an automatic transmission back into it so it can be used again instead of scrapping another good 850. This is the best way for me to make sure I have all of the parts for my swap project on my platinum- I have been looking for almost a year now and the standing price on most of these transmissions is around $700, and that's without any supporting components (pedals, cables, shifter, etc) or the ability to road test it beforehand.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Jul 2018, 21:43

You can chisel a weasel down at least 50% on that price.

You can get an entire blown M56 car for $500, get all the parts you need and part the rest to make the M56/free

Post by **FireFox31** » 30 Jul 2018, 19:15

Keep the 855 manual. You'll love it. Ask me how I know.

: IMG_4255.jpg (556.85 KiB) Viewed 2521 times

Post by **abscate** » 31 Jul 2018, 05:03

FireFox31 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2018, 19:15 Keep the 855 manual. You'll love it. Ask me how I know.

IMG_4255.jpg

That’s excellent

+5000 points

Post by **matthew1** » 31 Jul 2018, 11:02

Firefox, mind if I use that photo for the July MVS newsletter?

Post by **abscate** » 31 Jul 2018, 12:15

matthew1 wrote: ↑31 Jul 2018, 11:02 Firefox, mind if I use that photo for the July MVS newsletter?

Shift free or die...