Transmission Swap [need Some Advice]

[Taylor Brown]

Hey everyone, I have a 1996 3.8L V6 Mustang with the stock automatic transmission. I've been wanting to do this swap for awhile now, but now I've noticed that this transmission is leaking, so I feel like I'm running out of time.. Basically, I talked to a shop that's down the street from me, they said I'd have to get a T45 built for this 6cyl, then if I upgraded engines I'd have to swap again to a T5 [I don't remember if it was in that order or if it was the other way around now..] But a friend of mine down the street has a 3650 tremec from a 2002 Stage 2 Roush Mustang. He says he'd be able to get it to bolt up and work in my car. [Providing we go out and get all the extra parts and what not]. But when I talked to the shop about doing that, they said it can't be done and that's when they mentioned the info above. So I don't exactly know what to think at this point

Any advice on this anyone? I feel like the shop is trying to dog me for the money so they can do they swap and what not ..

 

[wmburns]

Listen to what the shop is telling you. There are pitfalls in the swap depending on your expectations. Are you EXPECTING a plug and play swap? If so, the 1st problem you will run into is a transmission from a modular motor (SOHC or DOHC) will NOT bolt up to a V6.

The next problem will be the speed sensors. The 96-98 uses a VSS sensor. The 99+ uses an OSS sensor. The sensor used needs to match the wiring harness AND PCM. The sensor's output are not compatible with each other.

An extended range SpeedCal can convert OSS to VSS.

My advice, if you have to pay someone to do the swap for you, consider selling the car and getting what you want in the first place. The car will be worth more before the swap (resale wise) than after. The $$ spent to pay someone to do the swap could go to buying the car that you really want.

Manual/Automatic swaps have the best chance of making $$ sense when the owner is doing the work themselves. That make the labor free.

If the automatic transmission is really going out, then repair it and then decide what to do with the car.

 

[Taylor Brown]

I appreciate the info, it really does help. But I'm actually not willing to sell this car. [It actually has some sentimental value to me and what not]. That's why I'm asking to see what my options are on all this.

So what can you suggest to me?

 

[wmburns]

Get a manual transmission, wiring harness, and drive shaft from a 96-98 model year V6. Should bolt right up. Will also need the brake/clutch pedal assemblies.

If you can locate a manual transmission salvage car from a 96 model year, get the PCM. Having a manual transmission PCM will avoid having a constant check engine light as well as the cost to custom program the automatic PCM. For the 96-97 MY, the PATS can be re-programmed by the user. I have posted the procedure many times.

After you put the price list of all the parts together, I would love to see what it comes to. Labor?

 

[Taylor Brown]

Hmmm, and I'm assuming when I get a bigger engine, I'll have to swap tranny's again?

 

[wmburns]

Correct. The V6 and modular motors have a different bolt pattern. So unless you find a transmission with a removable bell housing, to me it doesn't make sense to do this in two phases.