Five speed trans swap

[skswig62]

When I purchased my 88 four speed Festi I got a 5 speed trans with it. Is supposed to be a good trans out of a running car. How much do you think a shop would charge me to put it in?

[htchbck]

Depends on the shop and their hourly rates. Book time on it per Mitchell's (estimator I use) is 3.6hr to R&R trans, which is basically all that job is, since they are identical on the outside, just an extra set of gears for 5th and an extra shift fork internally. Probably want to do a clutch while the trans is out, which brings the labor up to 4hrs even. Average shop around here charges between $75-$100hr, so $300-400 labor, plus the cost of parts (clutch, rear main seal, trans seals, possibly mounts). I probably wouldn't even approach it as swapping in a different trans, just replacing the trans. Shops sometimes hear the words motor or trans "swap" and immediately start seeing dollar signs. Its the same job for them either way, whether they are putting in a 4 or 5 speed.

[nonamekid]

I agree with everything htchbck said.

Or you could do it yourself. Here is a how to guide for removing the transmission:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?11144-DIY-Remove-and-replace-a-manual-transmission-in-a-festiva

I have done enough tranny removals and can drop a tranny in 45 minutes. The last clutch job we did in 2 hours, that was with all the chatting and not rushing.

[drddan]

No name, that is a pretty good write up!

skswig62 ... If I were you, I would do it myself. Save the money for going out and having a good time after you are done with the tranny! :mrgreen:

[shadetree]

Wow I been doing trans replacements for 150 . Times have sure changed .

[Pu241]

Nonamekid lives!
And its not even Easter!
Are you a zombie?
Been a while since you been around!

I agree with everything htchbck said.

Or you could do it yourself. Here is a how to guide for removing the transmission:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?11144-DIY-Remove-and-replace-a-manual-transmission-in-a-festiva

I have done enough tranny removals and can drop a tranny in 45 minutes. The last clutch job we did in 2 hours, that was with all the chatting and not rushing.

[htchbck]

Wow I been doing trans replacements for 150 . Times have sure changed .

Me too... but unfortunately neither of us are in FL Just wanted to give a rough idea of the kind of prices he may be looking at at a mainstream shop, not a festiva specialty place where we can do them in an hour or two lol. If you have a good set of jackstands, a good solid floor jack, and a ratchet set with at least 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, and 29mm you can do it yourself. There are a few good write-ups out there like the one noname posted above. If you have any questions, just ask

[skswig62]

I have a clutch, so that should cut the parts bill down as well/

[skswig62]

where are you located at?

[htchbck]

I'm in northeast GA and Shadetree is in WV.

[1990new]

A few things you can do to get the transmission ready beforehand:
Give it a thorough cleaning, replace the left and right axle seals, and the shifter shaft oil seal ($4.99 at O'Reiley).

Get all your gear shifter and shifter stabilizer bushings in advance.

[nonamekid]

Nonamekid lives!
And its not even Easter!
Are you a zombie?
Been a while since you been around!

I stop in every once in awhile, but yeah no where near active like I used to be. We need a meet relatively nearby so that I can go to in the spring. Still collecting festivas and aspire donors. I think I have at least 11 festivas in the yard at the moment.

[denguy]

It's a plug and play, direct swap if you want to try it yourself. The biggest problem we had was popping those axles out of the damn differential. The rest of it was just a simple but tedious step by step process. Just be careful you don't turn the differential after you pull the axles or the side gears will drop out of place inside and you will be truly fkd. Best to shove in some pvc pipe to keep them in place just in case.