Auto to man. question

[GSXRBOBBY]

I am in the middle of doing a N* swap and to save much needed time in the garage I am looking at getting a local Cradle from a guy to have the motor and trans mounted and somewhat ready to go before I pull mine.

I was wondering is the auto transaxle mounted the same way and in the same location as a man. transaxle is? It would ready help me line things up if they are.

[aaron88]

The auto and manual mounts are only half the same.  What I mean by that is the bottom portion of the mounts are the same (the part with the rubber), but the top part that mounts to the transmission isn’t the same.  You will need two new mounts, for the transmission and two custom made mounts for the motor.

Aaron

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[GSXRBOBBY]

I'm sory AAron I may have wrote that wrong, I have 4 speed Muncie right now. I was told the mounts are the same, but I was going to use another cradle that had an auto trans, I was just hoping all transaxles mounted in the same location.

I am also going to try to use the stock Cadillac mount and a poly trans mount?

[aaron88]

Sounds good, give it a go.

I don't know if the two manual trans brackets are the same, but if they aren't, they won't be that different.  You should be able to make them work. If you are ready to make mounting point for the motor mounts then you have the equipment to make the trans mount brackets work.

Someone here probable knows if they are the same or not.


Aaron

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[GSXRBOBBY]

Aaron
I am using the 93 STS with the 5 speed Getrag, I am just wondering what all do I need to know or have ready to do the swap. I have a second cradle coming to have everything mounted to it to save on time. I am mounting the battery in the trunk and the ECM. I think I may have to cut out the bottom of the trunk just due to me using the stock manifolds and the 3" Y pipe as it goes to each side to 2 Monza supertraps.
1. What throttle cable did you use and what works the best?
2. Do I need to do anything to the fuel lines other than have the Fiero line connectors fit the N*?
3. What is needed to be able to run the A/C?
4. Did you leave your power steering pump on or did you find a shorter belt?
5. Hooking up the rad. hoses are simple right, nothing different about them?
6. If I use the Cadillac motor mount with stock trans mounts and then custom up a Dogbone will I have to move the front cross memeber on the cradle?
7. Capmen said something about finding a newer way to add oil due to the fill cap is so far back there?
8. What Fiero things are needed to be wired to the Caddy harness other than the fan?
9. Where is your thermasat at?
 
 
I know I will have to cut out some of the webbing on the trans to clear the starter.
I will have to cut some of the bottom of the trunk hinge.
I will have the wire harness cut up, "remove the wires for the trans" and have a few things wired to the harness from the Fiero. I think Will C said there was 5 or 6 things?
 
Is there anything else I may have forgot or don't know about, getting ready to do this finally after I get the flywheel and clutch. Again thanks for all your help!

[aaron88]

These questions are answered in my thread “thinking northstar conversion” in this section.  I know it’s a long and disorganized read, but it’s mostly in there.

1.  I used the stock throttle cable, and made up a little bracket to make it work.
2.  I didn’t do anything to the fuel lines outside of mounting them on the other side of the firewall, and running new line.
3.  If you have AC already in your Fiero then you just have to hook up the Cadillac system to your system, but if you don’t have AC in your Fiero it gets a lot more complicated.  Basically you are going to have to swap in the whole AC system.
4.  I ditched everything on the northstar belt except the generator, made a new tensor and used a different belt.
5.  Make sure you read my thread about hooking up the cooling system.  Bleeding the air out of the system and filling the system is very important.
6.  You will have to move the cross-member on the cradle if you plan on using the stock manifolds or the stock oil filter location.
7.  One of the ways is to have a weld shop (a good one) move your filler from one valve cover to the other.  But I just use an oil filler tube that screws into to top of the oil bottles.  You can get one almost everywhere these days.
8.  Read my thread for the wiring and get yourself a caddy and fiero manual to confirm the wiring.  Especially if you have to incorporate systems I haven’t covered (ie. AC)
9.  my thermostat (fiero gauge) is in the coolant manifold but that’s due to the year of motor I have.  You will have to find another place to put your fiero gauge thermostat.


Aaron

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[GSXRBOBBY]

IC, I have peeked at your build a few times and I have saved alot of your notes. Is there anything else I may not know about or I am forgeting that you can think of?

[aaron88]

I really can’t tell you if there is something you are missing because I don’t know what you have and haven’t covered.

Just go at it one thing at a time and expect delays and snags.  Basically my whole project was delays and snags.  My engine install was 400 hours, the other suspension and brake stuff was another 200 hours.

Have fun because you have to look at it that way or else you will be cursing every few minutes.

Aaron

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[GSXRBOBBY]

HEHEHE, I'm in trouble I am already yelling!! HEHEHE

In that case I will worn you I maybe buggy you again!

[GSXRBOBBY]

AAron I took a few hours last night and wrote down some notes from your swap. Do you care if I e-mail you them and see if anything has changed or I have something wrote down wrong?