Hey guys,

I just bought a 96 850 Platinum wagon and want to convert it to 5 speed. Are the 5 speeds in the 850's all the same box or were there different versions? I am guessing I will lose traction control?

How rare are the 5 speeds? Will it be next to impossible to find a 5 speed car at a junk yard in a small city like Memphis, Tn?

Thanks, Dave

 

94/95's were M56L and 96/97 were M56H. You need to get the corresponding transmission to your car. You have a 96 so you need an M56H. The differences are how the speedometers work. They're not difficult to find, but don't expect to look for two days and find one. You will only be able to find them in N/A's. Once the swap is done you will lose the whole sport/economy/winter mode button, just cover it up with a blank.

 

Also, the manual swap is quite costly...while you can find an auto transmission for $200-$250, the manual will go for more than $500.

Unless you find a donor GLT car (the naturally aspirated ones).

 

Why don't you just enjoy what you have while looking for a decent 5-speed. Then swap in a turbo engine. Save your time and money for future upgrades. There are several 5-speeds on ebay right now. Look at Craigslist, too.

 

IMO, I would do a manual swap WWAAAAYYYY before doing a turbo swap. A turbo swap would cost more too plus way more work. Seeing as how you can't just swap the motor itself, you basically have to swap the entire engine bay. People do 5sp swaps alll the time. I'm doing one, I have an M56H swapped into an M56L casing on the way right now. If you don't want to buy a donor car, you can usually find swap kits on VS all the time for about 600-800 dollars plus shipping. So about a grand for a swap kit, comes with everything you need.

 

Yeah, I definitely agree. I have done many 5 speed swaps on Conquest TSI's and Supras and have done a couple turbo swaps on RX7 convertibles which require changing everything, ie. engine, trans, driveshaft, differential, wiring harness, etc. etc.!

A 5 speed swap is way easier.

Thanks for the info on the different boxes. I'll keep an eye out for a 96/97 GLT manual car and try to get the entire car and ****** what I need and part the rest.

 

Actually you'll be looking for a run of the mill manual 850. GLT's didn't come manual in the states, just the N/A's. Technically up until 96/97 the GLT's were N/A's because they weren't turbo'd yet.

 

oK, thanks

 

Hopefully soon I will be able to finish my write up on the swap so it will be easier for you to do yours.

 

Hopefully!!!! I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. I don't think the guy has finished it yet. He's swapping an M56H into the M56L casing so I'll have the "more desirable" gear ratio and metal shift fork, plus he's including a brand new clutch master cylinder from a T-5, which I guess is stronger than the ones from the N/A's. I guess he was sick when I ordered it, and the past week he had some family matters. I just want it!!!!!!!

 

Well, it has been about 2 years and have had no luck finding a 5speed until today but it is a 95 model. Gilber said the difference is how the speedometers work. Is it possible to modify to make a 95 M56L work in my 96?

Are the ratios the same from the M56L to M56H?

It is very tempting because I can get the transmission, flywheel, shifter assembly, pedals with brackets etc. etc. for less than $180.

 

The older models used the speed sensor on the transmission while the newer versions get the speed signal from the ABS module. Putting a newer transmission into an older car is a bigger pain than the other way around.

I have a M56L and the ratios kinda suck. I can pull stumps in first gear and second gear is low as well. The jump between 2nd and 3rd is huge. My understanding is that they smoothed out the ratios on the M56H.

Since you are going into a later model car I think the biggest problem you will have is with the ECU since it won't have input from the TCU anymore and it will have a constant CEL.

The price is very right on the setup that you found but you will need to more or less double that, for budgeting purposes, to buy a new clutch kit that includes the pressure plate and throwout bearing (I think I paid a fuzz over $200.00 for a Sachs clutch kit).

I certainly wouldn't put a used clutch assembly in while doing a swap and for Gods sake change the RMS while you are there.

...Lee

 

Thanks for the info Lee. I already got the RMS taken car of when I rebuilt the engine about 15k miles ago but will probably go ahead and replace it again since it will be right there(cheap insurance).

I would never use an old clutch. They are too hard to get to.

If the ratios suck that bad, I will wait till I find an M56H.