Question about a manual trans swap

[96eb96]

I could get all I need to do a manual trans swap for cheap. If I were to do this, could I keep my message center and console, or would that have to go. From what I see the shifter sits in that area. The manual truck I saw looks very stripped down, with fewer options. Did they ever have EB or Limited manuals? Thanks

 

[briwayjones]

I could get all I need to do a manual trans swap for cheap. If I were to do this, could I keep my message center and console, or would that have to go. From what I see the shifter sits in that area. The manual truck I saw looks very stripped down, with fewer options. Did they ever have EB or Limited manuals? Thanks

They had some EB manuals up until about 1993, so that won't help you. Um, I know people have installed manuals with a full length console but I don't think any of them had a message center. If the message center is far enough forward that the stick comes up through the storage cubby than it should work. And I think it is far enough forward. If the message center is in the way I'm sure there is some way to make it work it just depends on how much trouble you want to go though. Can you get a picture of your console?

 

[96eb96]

They had some EB manuals up until about 1993, so that won't help you. Um, I know people have installed manuals with a full length console but I don't think any of them had a message center. If the message center is far enough forward that the stick comes up through the storage cubby than it should work. And I think it is far enough forward. If the message center is in the way I'm sure there is some way to make it work it just depends on how much trouble you want to go though. Can you get a picture of your console?

Looking at it now, I think the M/C would have to go. . The manual computer may not support it anyway (good question!)

 

[briwayjones]

Bummer the MC is right where the stick would come through. If it was up front where the cubby is it might be doable. I think the MC has it's own computer? What functions does it have? I would think it just hooks into the existing computers for different things? The only difference between a manual and automatic computer is the auto. trans. functions.

You might be able to relocate the MC all the way front where the cubby is. Depends on how much work you want to do and how good you are at making stuff?

 

[96eb96]

Bummer the MC is right where the stick would come through. If it was up front where the cubby is it might be doable. I think the MC has it's own computer? What functions does it have? I would think it just hooks into the existing computers for different things? The only difference between a manual and automatic computer is the auto. trans. functions.

You might be able to relocate the MC all the way front where the cubby is. Depends on how much work you want to do and how good you are at making stuff?

It has to be fed with various PCM inputs like temperature, battery voltage, rpms. It keeps track of oil changes, MPG and stuff. There may be special software in the PCM for it, I know there is a fuel flow pin. I would have to investigate. The real issue is the physical M/C, its pretty bulky. I don't think it could fit anywhere else. I shall see though...

 

[briwayjones]

It has to be fed with various PCM inputs like temperature, battery voltage, rpms. It keeps track of oil changes, MPG and stuff. There may be special software in the PCM for it, I know there is a fuel flow pin. I would have to investigate. The real issue is the physical M/C, its pretty bulky. I don't think it could fit anywhere else. I shall see though...

Instead of switching to the manual computer you can keep yours and get a dummy sensor to hook up to it so it doesn't complain about not having a auto. trans. or get a Tuner and a program that removes the auto. stuff. They're expensive but have other benefits like increased power and mileage. Try searching for "automatic to manual swap" or something like it there is quite a bit of information about it.

 

[HahnsB2]

I would recommend using a manual computer, it has a slightly more aggressive timing curve and is programed to turn off the injectors while compression braking saving some fuel, among the obvious idle problems when using an auto computer. They're easy to find as well.

 

[briwayjones]

Didn't know that. Even though you can't truly compression brake with an auto. why doesn't it turn off the injectors when you're slowing down not on the gas?

Like I mentioned earlier I want to say that the MC has it's own separate computer so it may not matter if you use a computer that didn't have a MC.

 

[96eb96]

Didn't know that. Even though you can't truly compression brake with an auto. why doesn't it turn off the injectors when you're slowing down not on the gas?

Like I mentioned earlier I want to say that the MC has it's own separate computer so it may not matter if you use a computer that didn't have a MC.

You may not get fuel flow data though to feed the MC. I can test that though with the donor manual computer.

 

[96eb96]

Didn't know that. Even though you can't truly compression brake with an auto. why doesn't it turn off the injectors when you're slowing down not on the gas?

Like I mentioned earlier I want to say that the MC has it's own separate computer so it may not matter if you use a computer that didn't have a MC.

That could be something with a torque converter and trans pump needing to run at a certain RPM even when braking (just a guess).

 

[briwayjones]

Hmm, yeah. After thinking about it I think I know why. Since you have full lock up with a manual and your momentum turns the engine while compression braking you could turn off the injectors completely and inject no fuel and while the engine won't be igniting or technically running, the momentum will keep it turning and when you hit the gas again it starts right where you left off. But since automatics aren't fully locked up when coasting if you turned off the injectors and the engine got no fuel in theory it could shut off since the auto. doesn't fully lock up and keep it turning.