tranny swap info :D

pandevida85 · Post by **pandevida85** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:16 am

hey everyone, just thought i'd let ya'll know i'm currently doing a tranny swap. I'm gonna do a how-to but if ya'll want i can just post as i go. I got some pics so let me know if it will be of any use to post up what i'm doing.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:21 am

Always useful, btu what ISNT useful is an empty post

pandevida85 · Post by **pandevida85** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:12 am

well if you insist..

I'll post up what i've done as I do it and then ya'll can decide if its worth a how-to..

The one thing i've learned is to research and learn from everybody else's experiences before I went ahead and did this. I wouldnt do this any other way cuz its like a blind man fixin the space shuttle. Its just not gonna work out.

2000 Plymouth/Dodge Neon

My parts list consists of the parts that I obtained (obviously all required but here's what i got)

My Parts List:

MTX ECU
MTX Wiring Harness
These two are not necessary but its nice to have. I was able to obtain these for a good price so I recommend to go and atleast obtain the ecu.

MTX transmission (1995 - 2000 they're all cable and will work)
MTX tranny mount
Clutch
passenger side axle MT (w/o ABS is what i had to use)
Clutch pedal assembly (w/ all the sensors/switches)
Clutch cable
clutch cable connectors
Shifter cables
Shifter cable connectors
Shifter Assembly (i'm using the SRT4 shifter

)
I'd recommend buying booger bushings

There are a bunch of sensors needed. I dont know them all unfortunately but as i do the install i will post up their names. Meanwhile search through the forum cuz they're here.

Tools:
Complete ratchet set.
I'd recommend having a few 10mm ratchet bits lying around cuz i cracked mine trying to turn a bolt in the tranny oil pan. And have the ratchet extensions handy.
Torque wrench
Jack stands
3 1/2 ton jack
Hammer
Screw drivers (flat head and phillips of various sizes)

Home-made tranny jack
cargo tie-down straps (idk what they're called the ropes that tighten with the metal things

)
thick piece of wood around 14" x 18" x 4"
we're strapping the auto tranny to this board with the tie-down straps and then using the 3 1/2 ton jack to lower it hehe.

ok first you gotta prep yourself. do your research and get everything you need at hand. get ready for lots of trips to the auto parts store.

DO THIS WITH A HAYNES OR CHILTON'S MANUAL ON HAND!! ITS ALOT EASIER!!

First thing i did was remove the intake manifold, throttle body, cold air intake, and radiator.

for those who dont know, the TB and IM have mounting brackets.

Then I remove the battery tray and ECU.

I then went inside the car and removed the center console (screws in the cupholders and screws in the storage compartment)

I then removed the atx shift knob by loosening up the screw in from with an allen wrench.

The shifter "base" has four screws at its 4 corners. Unscrew them and pull it out carefully because there's a light attached to it that you want to carefully pluck out (if you plan to resell anything be careful)

I was left with two cables attached to the shifter. I detach them from the shifter.

The one closest to the passenger side is the shifter cable that runs to the tranny. I detached it from the shifter and then went and plucked it off the tranny
(Remember that Hayne's manual i was talking about. Comes in pretty handy right about now hehe)

The hayne's manual gives real easy steps to remove the cables from the car.

I got lazy so i proceed to drain the tranny. I jacked up the car on jack stands, inched my way under and began the tedious task of loosening the tranny pan. There's no drain plug. just remove the pan as stated in the hayne's manual.

Advice: Have a hammer handy. My pan got stuck and didnt want to come off. I had to gently hammer it then use the hammer to pry it open. AGAIN BE CAREFUL CUZ IT CAN TURN INTO A HORRIBLE MESS VERY VERY VERY QUICKLY!

Sorry no pics of the mess. lol.

Well this is as far as i got. I'm taking my time cuz i'm waiting while the many different parts to arrive.

As i do more i'll post more.

atom · Post by **atom** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:10 pm

Awesome, this is going to be good future reference for me! So I thought you could keep your ATX axles and they are better... what is the difference between the two?

pandevida85 · Post by **pandevida85** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:13 am

the mtx passenger axle is different. I believe its cuz they vary in length but then again i could be wrong. either way i play it safe.

BTW i'm re-writing this in a much better step by step procedure. so thats why i havent posted anything.

I removed the driver side axle after much battling with stubborn nuts and bolts. I also installed the 2000 gauge cluster with built in tach. and i will have pictures. Whenever i'm done doing my write up, i'll post it up so you guys can see it.

pandevida85 · Post by **pandevida85** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:33 pm

ok i thought i'd come back here n update the ppl that like to watch old posts lol even tho i'm not that popular but i hope my experience helps others.

First NEVER leave your nuts and bolts out where you're senile old aunt can get them, think they're garbage, and throw them away!

the lack of nuts and bolt and the intense summer heat and mugginess coupled with school and work has delayed my working on the car for 3 weeks but HOPEFULLY this saturday the car should be runnin circles around the hondas around here

I came across a ported upper portion of the mag intake manifold. I'm still fabbing it (which means looking for the aluminum tube i'd use for the bottom portion and finding someone to weld it).

My mods would be K&N CAI, 52mm TB, and then the mag intake manifold. If i find the lower portion, i could run the VAFC from my old honda with it and squeeze out a few more ponies.

I hope to have a few pics up later this week. so for anybody interested stay tuned! i'll also finish up writing my how-to.

Post by **Diablo0** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:26 am

Keep on writing... there are a lot of people that can find this information useful

pandevida85 · Post by **pandevida85** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:04 am

Thanks dude

pandevida85 · Post by **pandevida85** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:51 am

Finally got one of the control arms attached correctly to the steering knuckle. The driver side seems to be in place. Still gotta get that tranny bracket to line up with the whole so i can traverse it with the tranny mount bolt!

I thank the Lord that i have a buddy like david to help me do this kind of work to the neon!! lol we spent all night trying to put back on the lower control arm and then we finally figured out how to loosen up the sway bar so we could move the control arm by hand.. yeah i know woulda been nice to figure this out sooner but when i tried to unbolt it from the control arm the bolt would just turn but not unscrew till david grabbed the vice grips and discovered a metal piece atop the bushing to hold and next thing ya know we had the sway bars off!:rockon:

Friday is going to be an eventful day. First, i'm going to pull the old alternator and drop in the new one. Then pop in the passenger-side axle. pop the steering knuckle in place. tighten up everything. fix the rubber line for the gas leak. new s/p wires. turn the key and start her up!!

But honestly i wouldnt be anywhere near completetion in this project if it werent for Infil, Arthirish, David, and JJ. In that order. Thanks for your time, effort, and free manual labor guy