ATX --> MTX Conversion Information

[rubydist]

the wiring is substantially different between 92 and 93 - if you want to do it the way you suggest, you should also plan to swap out the dash from the 92 into your 93. I believe that if you swap the entire front & engine wiring and the dash wiring, you will be plug and play.

if the 92 really has only 45k miles and the engine runs good (no stuck rings) then I think swapping the whole subframe into the 93 is an excellent idea.

 

[shobhakti]

Try as I may, I can't find information on a swap between same yr cars. My parts car is a wreaked 94' MTX, the conversion car is a Blue 94' ATX Stripper with a blown torque converter seal(leaks fluid everywhere at the bell housing, looses pressure, then slips) with a good 3.2.

As far as the engine bay goes it will be completely MTX, including the computer, all accessories, etc. But the dreaded dash wiring is a problem for me if it is to detailed. I can even change the instrument cluster if necessary. But please do not tell me I have to open up the dash and install the wiring from the MTX in there, lol. Please say it ain't so!

 

[Phoenix]

Try as I may, I can't find information on a swap between same yr cars. My parts car is a wreaked 94' MTX, the conversion car is a Blue 94' ATX Stripper with a blown torque converter seal(leaks fluid everywhere at the bell housing, looses pressure, then slips) with a good 3.2.

As far as the engine bay goes it will be completely MTX, including the computer, all accessories, etc. But the dreaded dash wiring is a problem for me if it is to detailed. I can even change the instrument cluster if necessary. But please do not tell me I have to open up the dash and install the wiring from the MTX in there, lol. Please say it ain't so!

Its that , or you will have to cut/splice at the big connector next to the airbox , thats pretty much everything connects from the interior to the engine bay.

I have done it and I tell you , remove the dash.

 

[shobhakti]

Its that , or you will have to cut/splice at the big connector next to the airbox , thats pretty much everything connects from the interior to the engine bay.

I have done it and I tell you , remove the dash.

I will take your word on this. Is it a complete loom like in the engine compartment? Do I have to still slice and dice?

I do not have the extended time that it would take me to complete such are arduous task. I just hate dash(inside the doors!) work! I always end up with left over screws. Maybe it was because I had no time to check and recheck my work. Had to get the SHO on the road immediately and it was the first and only time I have taken a dash apart.

Guess this ATX will just stay that way! I'll just sell it and look for an other MTX.

Thanks

 

[rubydist]

your scenario is actually quite straightforward.
1. remove the dash from your soon-to-be-manual 'new' 94, including wiring.
2. remove the dash from your wrecked 94.
2a. (optional but highly recommended) install new blend door actuator in 'new' 94.
3. install dash from the wrecked 94 into the 'new' 94.
4. proceed w/ all underhood swap items as you mentioned.

 

[shobhakti]

your scenario is actually quite straightforward.
1. remove the dash from your soon-to-be-manual 'new' 94, including wiring.
2. remove the dash from your wrecked 94.
2a. (optional but highly recommended) install new blend door actuator in 'new' 94.
3. install dash from the wrecked 94 into the 'new' 94.
4. proceed w/ all underhood swap items as you mentioned.

Thanks Ruby, some times I get mental about mechanical things and the dash is one of them, lol. You put it in very simple straight forward terms. Though I'm much more comfortable in the engine bay.

 

[shobhakti]

Will it matter what options are in each car? One is a stripper and the wrecked one is fully optioned out.

By going hole hog on the wiring replacement, will it matter then about different yrs?

Multiple cars, many ideas. 4 stay, 1 is going to be sold. 2 have died.

 

[rubydist]

no, the only challenge will be if one has the premium sound w/ power amp in the trunk and the other did not - in that case you will need to keep that portion of the wiring in the 'new' car. iirc, that part of the dash harness is relatively easy to peel off the dash and keep in the car when the dash comes out.

different years matter because some of the chassis wiring is different pinouts, so going from one year to another adds a whole 'nother level of complexity. if you want to keep this part simple, use the same years.

 

[shobhakti]

no, the only challenge will be if one has the premium sound w/ power amp in the trunk and the other did not - in that case you will need to keep that portion of the wiring in the 'new' car. iirc, that part of the dash harness is relatively easy to peel off the dash and keep in the car when the dash comes out.

different years matter because some of the chassis wiring is different pinouts, so going from one year to another adds a whole 'nother level of complexity. if you want to keep this part simple, use the same years.

All righty then! same yr is best. Thanks a lori load.:sun:

 

[Racer X]

Yeah, I still don't get why people screw with trying to do this conversion with an ATX computer and harness. :shakehead

I did one single ATX-MTX job a couple of years ago now, with the assistance of Jose's notes and a few nights of notes and research from the EVTM, and it took a few days to complete working 2-3 hours a day. No screwy codes, everything worked, and the wiring changes took maybe 2 hours to complete (IIRC it was like 14 or 15 circuits that had to be re-wired). I used the MTX PCM, harness, CCRM, and cruise modules. Any mechanic can work on that car with just referring to the salient manual pages: 3.0L for the drivetrain, and 3.2L for the rest of the car except for the interlock & cruise switches on the clutch pedal.

Keeping it simple is the key to success in doing anything with these cars.

I'm going to be tackling one of these in a few days. YGPM.

 

[SHOred]

atx to mtx

I just read that the write up Phonex did on his atx to mtx has beed lost. I have a copy I had saved for doing my swap. If it is ok with everyone I could post it here or e-mail it to anyone that would like to have it.

SHOred

 

[lowc]

The current link to Phoenix' conversion article is:
http://www.shospeed.com/pics/ATXtoMTX.pdf

I just read that the write up Phonex did on his atx to mtx has beed lost. I have a copy I had saved for doing my swap. If it is ok with everyone I could post it here or e-mail it to anyone that would like to have it.

SHOred

this link? cause it worked for me with no issues

 

[Phoenix]

this link? cause it worked for me with no issues

Yes this one works , I had posted that document on another website (quebecspeed) moons ago , thats prolly why the confusion.

 

[kazkillinger]

Hi guys I am bout to make my atx to a mtx and just wanted some clarification. The donor and mine are the same year. Well there be alot of rewiring or should it be just straight swap?

 

[rubydist]

it will be very straightforward, but you will need to do the wiring modifications noted in Phoenix's link.