I recently purchased a cheap 1993 Volvo 240 with a leaky automatic transmission as a little project. I’m looking to do a manual swap as I’d like to address the transmission first and want it to be manual. I’m deciding between using the m47 or the t5. I’ve heard the m47s are fragile, cant handle much more power, and don’t feel as nice but would obviously be easier than the t5. I’d like to turbo the car eventually thats where the concern of not handling more power comes in. Any advice on which one is a better choice in your guy’s opinion would be great, thank you!

 

Volvo manual transmissions for the b21/23/230 engines are:

m45 - 4 speed
m46 - 4 speed with electric laycock overdrive
m47 - pure 5 speed with aluminum case.

The m46 will need the electrics to actuate the hopefully good overdrive (5th) gear. An overdrive rebuild these days will cost more than the car is worth - and those overdrives wear out - I've rebuilt many (years ago)

The m47 would be your best choice - however I've fixed many (years ago) that had bearing problems.

I have done a auto to man trans swap in a 76 240. Back when there were scores of those in the junkyard and i had enough left over trans parts to build a trans - it was a reasonable, and easily attainable goal (for someone that fixed only Volvos for a living and had access to a friendly Volvo junkyard)

If i were in you shoes - I would fix the oil leak on your existing trans. A common leak is from the 2 bell housing orings - you think it's leaking from the pan gasket - but it's the bellhousing. The transmission has to come out to replace those.

If this is a toy and your goal is to find and install everything needed for a manual transmission. You might want to find the m47 compatible driveshaft first before buying anything else - other 240s have 3 ujoints - the m47 has that flexible coupler against the trans. You'll need a flywheel from a 1989+ car - that can talk to your engine speed sensor also. (there were not many manual trans cars sold in the US during that time period 89-93)

 

Just to throw in a quick option. My '93 940 Turbo had an automatic transmission leak and I tried this and it worked within minutes. If the seal is just dried out this might help and give you some time to decide on a swap.

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