July 21, 200817 yr anyone ever done a 5spd d/r tranny swap in a 4 spd d/r Hatchback before mine is swapped, courtesy of my brother in law:rolleyes: but at higher speeds 35-on it is really loud inside he told me all i needed to do was space the transmission little help
July 22, 200817 yr he told me all i needed to do was space the transmission Lots of folks have done that swap actually. What he is referring to is the 5 speed's height as it relates to the height of the transmission tunnel in the EA81's - the 5 speed will contact the tunnel in a pretty serious way on the top - it's the 4WD shift linkage cover plate that is the most problem. There are several solutions, but none of them are simply "spacing". 1. Beat the tunnel (air hammers are what most use). 2. Cut and enlarge the tunnel over the offending plate by welding in a section. 3. Build a custom cross-member to lower the transmission. This also angles the engine backward a degree or two which is easily adjusted with the factory adjustable pitching stopper. Jerry (bratsrus1) makes a kit for $100 with a nicely designed custom cross-member that uses EA82 mounts (better and stronger than EA81's). 4. Lift it. GD
July 22, 200817 yr The steel for a small lift is pretty inexpensive really. If you do it yourself all you really need is the (borrowed) use of a welder for three items, a harbor freight chop saw ($50) and small drill press ($40). Plus the channel and the bolts. Easily doable for about $200 to $250 in the 4" category including buying the necessary power tools. But it also requires the skills and the knowledge, which I admit doesn't come easily. I spent thousands more, an aweful lot of years, and most of the used axles on the west coast getting that together. GD
July 22, 200817 yr Author joking my brother is set to move this way real soon so when he does I will have to have him help:lol: one way or another it will get done;)
July 22, 200817 yr (raspy evil Golem-like voice)MONEY!...MONEY! I lifted my last EA-81 for under 20 bucks. go the the rim pile and look for 4x2 square tubing. and for the bolts I got zinc plated for a shear point. Since on my brat I have grade 8's and I tear the bolts out of the body.:-\ Jeff:banana:
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