How do I convert my 86 GL automatic to a manual? I'd like a step by step instructions and a list of everything I would need. Is it really difficult?

It's easy and I believe it's been hashed out numerous times on here. Search around for a 3AT to manual conversion, should net you the parts list and what needs to be done to make it work.

-gearbox with mounts

-shifter assembly

-flywheel

-pedal box

-speedo cable

-new clutch kit

 

That should be all that is needed. Make sure to cut the transmission(s) wiring past the harness so you have something to spice to. Physically the swap is a piece of cake.

 

The wiring will be the hardest part (relative). And temporarily bypassed by using the AT shifter switch or even just couple of remote switches for the neutral switch and reverse lights if you don't want to wire it back into the harness..
 

Awesome thank you guys I really appreciate it!

You will also need the manual trans radius rod plates.  They have a mount for the manual trans crossmember that the auto pieces do not.  

I don't recall having seen a how to for the wiring portion of this job. Is it the same ECU?

I couldn't find anything on the wiring last night either. I found few that said the same things you all said. And with the manual teams does it matter if I take it out of a wagon same year and out it in my sedan? Or are they different? And what are some things I should look for when looking at used trannys?

I couldn't find anything on the wiring last night either. I found few that said the same things you all said. And with the manual teams does it matter if I take it out of a wagon same year and out it in my sedan? Or are they different? And what are some things I should look for when looking at used trannys?

I don't recall having to replace the radius rod plates when I did my swap from 3AT to 5MT. I do recall that I forgot to grab the trans mount bolts and I had to drive all the way to the junkyard 50 miles to pick them up off the ground. The AT bolts were too short iirc.

The ECU is the same, it's the harness that tells the ECU if the car is manual or automatic. I only have 87, 88, and 90 FSM's tho, so I am not sure they would be of much help with your 86.

There are many ways to sort the wiring after the swap tho, most people just twist the 2 fat wires together (neutral switch) and run the reverse wires to the transmission. When I did my swap, that easy way caused a CEL and weird idle conditions.. which failed smog (Cali sucks) a couple times. So I ended up just using a couple of switches for both neutral and the reverse lights. Flicking the switches all the time got super old. Before I figured it out, the car was totaled by an angry teenager in a honda.

I have wanted to figure out what in the SPFI harness identifies it has AT or MT, but it doesn't appear to be an identifier pin like EJ ECU's. I searched and asked but never got confirmation. I'll take a look at the SPFI wiring schematics when I have time tonight.

Edit: I should change my name to TypoKing


Also, I should have asked before.. Your GL is non-turbo and 3AT correct? Fwd or 4wd?

Edited August 27, 201411 yr by Ibreakstuff

Actually looking back at my threads, I found where someone states pin 32 is the identifier. Not sure if that is correct with an '86 however.

 

User Wayback said:

"For an AT SPFI, ECU pin 32 is grounded. To make it an MT, you need to cut that wire. It's a black/red on the largest of the 3 ECU connectors, second from one end between a brown and a light green."

I remember this now, but I had never confirmed it before the car was swapped to 4wd then totaled.

 

 

Edit: Adding to this, my 87 FSM shows a pin 32 but it is not labeled.. My 88 FSM shows pin 32 and is labeled (AT); pins 1, 13, and 46 are also labeled (AT).

Edited August 27, 201411 yr by Ibreakstuff

In the past, I jumpered the wires for the neutral switch at the shifter itself, since the two wires (black and black/yellow) connect to the automatic shifter assembly. I never had to fuss with grounding the ECU at all and I put 20k miles on that car before I stripped it. See are the biggest gauge wires at the shifter, just unplug it, put a jumper wire in and wrap some electrical tape around it.

 

You will also need a driveline to go with the manual transmission.

Yeah this is why we need an actual write up involving the electrical bit,  because if you f up this part you could be in a world of trouble.

Funny, I'm just going to do this. So, wouldn't it be a good idea to mark the wires before taking out the trans so you can keep power to them and have your tester on them? Maybe jumper all of them and disconnect them one by one if you dont have a tester? My swap is an 83 2wd so I'm looking at a piece of cake here but I think the wiring spec is in the 5sp d/r swap writeup.

You will also need at least the forward section of the drive line if the car is 4wd.

 

Edit already covered by Russ.

Edited August 30, 201411 yr by tractor pole

You will also need the manual trans radius rod plates.  They have a mount for the manual trans crossmember that the auto pieces do not.  

this is for EA81 cars.

 

we are talkin EA82 in this thread.

Yeah this is why we need an actual write up involving the electrical bit,  because if you f up this part you could be in a world of trouble.

 

this 86 will be carbed....no neutral switch

 

just the 4wd and reverse switches to wire up.

 

reverse wires are green and green/white

 

can't remember 4wd wires but will be different than the 3at wiring but just really one pin of the AT shifter wires needs connected to 4wd switch grounds light in dash when in 4wd.

 

 

Funny, I'm just going to do this. So, wouldn't it be a good idea to mark the wires before taking out the trans so you can keep power to them and have your tester on them? Maybe jumper all of them and disconnect them one by one if you dont have a tester? My swap is an 83 2wd so I'm looking at a piece of cake here but I think the wiring spec is in the 5sp d/r swap writeup.

 

83 2wd to 4wd is a harder swap.

 

must change gas tank, rear suspension subframe, trailing arms, shocks, and add mustache bar mounts.

 

if using 5spd must make carrier bearing mount.

 

as mentioned need 4wd radius rod plates.....or modify the 2wd ones to take an EA82 5spd crossmember, since that will need modified anyhow to use the 5spd.

Google, Youtube or USMB search "The art of Subaru Maintenance" videos. These vids explain ea82 service, but are centered around an AT to MT swap as the example in the vids. Good luck