ATX to MTX

[benjammin]

My 93 has 200,000 on it and the auto tranny is gonna go any day now. I wanna do the MTX conversion, I am a mechanically inclined person But I dont have alot of experience working on cars, and Ive never pulled a tranny before on anything. Is that a project that is relatively straight forward, or is it something that I could really end up regretting attemping? Would it be a better bet just to throw another ATX in it?

 

[92MTX]

Well...

It is fairly straight forward to swap..
Look up "clutch change procedure", there are some good write-ups with pics.
I, personally pulled the engine and tranny together as a unit.
THIS is the time to do the 60K !!! An engine on the floor is much easier to
work on.. LOL
I also went the hard way, and left the compressor in the car...DAMN!

You will need the pedal assembly, clutch cable, MTX, TOB, clutch, pressure plate, and a MTX flywheel, MTX mount, plenty of beer.

I have a good used flywheel I can sell you cheap..
You pay shipping, and 20 bucks!!

 

[turbo79]

This swap depends on how much you like working on cars, and how long you want this car sidelined!

The MTX's are becoming rare, and probably (?) expensive.

Need all the interrior clutch pedal hardware and electronics (the circuit that keeps you from starting the car without pushing the clutch in).

There may be issues with the PCM (power control module or EEC-IV computer), as the engines (3.0 vs. 3.2) are mapped differently.

Go for it, but you may want to have the ATX repaired.

 

[shobote]

That is a big project for someone that has little experience wrenching on cars. Even pulling the tranny is no picnic on a SHO; far more work than removing a RWD trans.

 

[SHOtime2511]

That is a big project for someone that has little experience wrenching on cars. Even pulling the tranny is no picnic on a SHO; far more work than removing a RWD trans.

x2

 

[benjammin]

Having the car sidlined is one of my major issues with the project, I dont have a second ride. I work where I live so I dont have to worry about getting to work, but I still need wheels. Also, I live in an apartment with an attached garage, but its way small, You pretty much have to go outside just to change your mind.
I did the timing belt and front main seal in my garage and it was no picnic. Any work that gets done on my car is gonna be by me so I figure if Im gonna put another tranny in it might as well do the conversion. I found a 93 MTX for sale around here w/ 138,000 on it and lots of other new parts as well including the same interior as mine. It blew a head gasket. I figure Ill pick it up for 750.00 steal the trans and all the other good stuff and scap it for a couple hundred back.

 

[Eric VerValin]

I rebuilt my 92 in a garage the size of a pop can too. It can be done, but you will definately have fun if you want to do this swap. Going from scratch, and not knowing the car... if you spend 8 hours a day on it, you should get it done in a week... once things start going wrong.. (stuck bolts, broken bolts...) it gets a lot longer.


It took me a week to swap EVERYTHING from a 92 into a 93, but that included brakes, suspension, dash, all the harnesses, and a little underhood painting. The biggest thing you'll probally need is space to set everything. When I swapped everything over from one into the other I had a lot bigger garage and was still short on room.


Crappy part is, you'll have to pull the motor trans out of the MTX first.. then seperate the subframe from the other car, and swap it around if you still want to be able to roll the other one around. I did it with a 2 post lift and an engine hoist.. you'll just really have to figure out your strategy so you don't get caught being short 1 jack stand or something like that..


The good part is... I was just like you about 4 years ago... everything is here on this forum to help you get the job done. If you wanna spend the time, you can get it done.

Good luck.

 

[benjammin]

Well thanks for the encouraging words. The space is probably the biggest issue. Another thing im considering is just buying the mtx and replacing the head gasket on it and just fixing my ATX up slowly. I know it sounds stupid but I dont like the color of the MTX though (green). My ATX is black and mocha, which I really like.

 

[Eric VerValin]

You don't have to explain it to me... I swapped mine Black for Black.. Couldn't be any other color..


I might be a little leary about the head gasket thing tho... its not really a common thing to go out. Makes me think it got too hot, and possibly warped the heads. But if you have the 3.2 heads, you could swap the cam over... sadly its more work tho.

Nothing is very easy on these things, but it is a pretty good feeling to drive it when its all done tho.

 

[benjammin]

I hear that...I would absolutely love my car if it was an MTX.

 

[rubydist]

This thread should help you significantly:
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=95183

 

[benjammin]

wow...thats alot of work.

 

[tompumped]

"I have to go outside to change my mind". That's a good one. I know how it can be.
I got used to working on the grass one summer, it's not so bad. You just have to put boards under the jack stands to be safe. But a job like that I wouldn't want to do on the lawn.
I'd go check out the other car maybe it isn't a head gasket?

Five speed is a lot more enjoyable, but then you have to worry about the damn diff pin.

 

[cfamilyfix]

I know how you feel...I have a whole mtx drivetrain, computer, linkage etc sitting in my garage, just waiting to be swapped into my 94 atx or my 92 wagon. And everytime I look at my garage, sloped driveway and little tiny air compressor, I just go inside and make a sandwich...lol...and the real funny part is I work as a mechanic for a rental company and I'm still hesitant about doing the swap in my driveway. I think you should go for it...it might inspire me...lol

 

[tompumped]

I know how you feel...I have a whole mtx drivetrain, computer, linkage etc sitting in my garage, just waiting to be swapped into my 94 atx or my 92 wagon. And everytime I look at my garage, sloped driveway and little tiny air compressor, I just go inside and make a sandwich...lol...and the real funny part is I work as a mechanic for a rental company and I'm still hesitant about doing the swap in my driveway. I think you should go for it...it might inspire me...lol

That was hilarious. I love my compressor and air tools . Even if the damn thing is loud and takes forever to fill up.

 

[Eric VerValin]

I know how you feel...I have a whole mtx drivetrain, computer, linkage etc sitting in my garage, just waiting to be swapped into my 94 atx or my 92 wagon. And everytime I look at my garage, sloped driveway and little tiny air compressor, I just go inside and make a sandwich...lol...and the real funny part is I work as a mechanic for a rental company and I'm still hesitant about doing the swap in my driveway. I think you should go for it...it might inspire me...lol

Don't try it with the 92... or I'm afraid you might be short a harness or two..

 

[rktmn]

It took me a year to do it.

Jose

 

[rubydist]

It took me about a month, working nights and weekends, including doing the full 60k on the motor and rod bearings, and doing some interior work. I probably put 100 hours into it, although it could easily be done in half the time if one was more interested in getting it running than in having everything look perfect....

 

[benjammin]

Thanks for all the info people, you all have definaetly shed some light on the subject for me. Considering all things, I think im just gonna try to find an ATX out there somewhere, have it rebuilt, and throw it in. Ill save the conversion for when Im a little more ready.

 

[Eric VerValin]

It took me about a month, working nights and weekends, including doing the full 60k on the motor and rod bearings, and doing some interior work. I probably put 100 hours into it, although it could easily be done in half the time if one was more interested in getting it running than in having everything look perfect....

No thats what I did too.. and its called doing it right...


:wave: