Auto To Manual Query

Started by Ace-K · May 27, 2010 · 20postsSMF 2010–26

Ace-KMay 27, 2010, 11:52 pm · #1

Alright guys, well it's something i'll wanna do to the S12 down the line but atm I have a CA18ET stock engine in Auto. Would love to get it swapped to manual so was wondering what my options were, what i'd need to ask/get as i'll be bringing it to a mechanic to get the conversion done.

Will a S13 gearbox fit etc?

Any advice would be appreciated, cheers guys!

JayMay 28, 2010, 12:53 am · #2

Ace-KAlright guys, well it's something i'll wanna do to the S12 down the line but atm I have a CA18ET stock engine in Auto. Would love to get it swapped to manual so was wondering what my options were, what i'd need to ask/get as i'll be bringing it to a mechanic to get the conversion done.

Will a S13 gearbox fit etc?

Any advce would be appreciated, cheers guys!

Ummmmmmmmmmmm..... Going off of your info on the left there. you have an 88? I'm guessing a CA18ET was swapped into it?

IF you have a ca18et, you have a couple options.
B trans. Straight up. But the trans crossmember is different (IF you car really is an 88) Need B Trans Driveshaft

86-88 CA20 C Trans. This should swap right on over easy peasy (Using the C trans trans mount) Need C trans Driveshaft (This way is recommended, especially if your car is an 88)

CA B trans OR C trans Bellhousing plus S13 C transmission. Swap the CA bellhousing on the S13 transmission. And then the trans crossmember will follow the same things above. Dunno about the driveshaft for the B bellhousing on this one, but the C trans bellhousings shaft will work A-OK.

And 88 Turbo has to be something that was swapped in, as that wasn't offered in 88

8SixS12May 28, 2010, 9:53 am · #3

Not to mention that I don't remember turbo s12s having an automajic tranny option. Please correct me if I am wrong.

EternalSwapMay 28, 2010, 10:31 am · #4

ca18ets were offered elsewhere in mkii trim and with autos

Ace-KMay 28, 2010, 11:12 am · #5

From the UK jay, in the original brochure it was an extra to get it manual, nothings been swapped into it. Just stock CA18ET. Would the manual gearbox from a CA18DET work?

EightySix200SXMay 30, 2010, 6:53 pm · #6

Ace-KFrom the UK jay, in the original brochure it was an extra to get it manual, nothings been swapped into it. Just stock CA18ET. Would the manual gearbox from a CA18DET work?

it will work however if its from an s13 you will have to cut the trans tunnel well slot it where the shifter is as the s13 trans is longer than the s12 c trans. henry asparagus is running this setup as well as a number of members on here running s13 trans with modified tunnels u will have to use the front half of an s13 driveshaft also or get one fab'd up

ArroMay 31, 2010, 12:03 am · #7

He has an '88, that's a Mark II, he could run a Mark II C-trans from an 87 or 88 S12 and it would be almost bolt-in... you just use a straight bar across to make the mount. It's what Sterling did on Andrew's Mark II coupe when they put in an S12 C trans.

Otherwise, what was said about using the S13 trans is true EXCEPT for the bellhousing.... you need an S12 CA18ET or CA20E bellhousing which I think is different than the S13 one.

Beyond that... I like my S13 trans in my S12, it locates the shifter at what I feel is a more comfortable place, about five or six inches back more.

fastback_silviaMay 31, 2010, 2:38 am · #8

youll also need to do some minor wiring, mostly to get around the Parking Gear lockout. i recall reading about such a swap in Project Car and it was more then just swapping the gearbox itself.

youll need to drill holes for the clutch pedal, swap the brake pedal for a manual pedal (smaller pad), install the new trans, swap the driveshaft, change the trans mount, do the mentioned wiring to get around the PG, replace the clutch, new flywheel, etc. its sounds more complicated then it is... you just need to source all the needed components and do the work.

sicjMay 31, 2010, 6:06 pm · #9

fastback_silviayoull also need to do some minor wiring, mostly to get around the Parking Gear lockout. i recall reading about such a swap in Project Car and it was more then just swapping the gearbox itself.

youll need to drill holes for the clutch pedal, swap the brake pedal for a manual pedal (smaller pad), install the new trans, swap the driveshaft, change the trans mount, do the mentioned wiring to get around the PG, replace the clutch, new flywheel, etc. its sounds more complicated then it is... you just need to source all the needed components and do the work.

you do not need to drill holes for the manual clutch pedal box. You unbolt the firewall plate and it bolts right up....you can also cut the Auto brake pedal in half. Screw ripping apart an entire dash/brake assembly at a junkyard to get half of a pedal.

fastback_silviaMay 31, 2010, 9:29 pm · #10

you could cut the pedal, but if i was doing the swap, id want it to look as oem as possible.

ArroMay 31, 2010, 9:34 pm · #11

I actually agree totally, but unfortunately from what I understand you have to remove the dash to get to the pedal assembly. Right?

EightySix200SXMay 31, 2010, 11:52 pm · #12

Yea use a later mk2 s12 c trans i did and used a metal bar and bolted the trans mount to the last two tabs using washers as spacers. Cut the brake pedal dont bother removing the assy then buy the brake pedal pad from nissan for two bucks easiest trans swap evar

mod_mastazJun 1, 2010, 3:01 am · #13

The CA18DET trans bolts up the CA20E/CA18ET(and vice versa) without the need for a bellhousing swap. ALL CA motors and trans share the same pattern, FWD/RWD/AWD. If you swap the bell housing between mk1/mk2/S13, you'd have to change the bearing on the trans/bellhousing side to match the bellhousing.

8SixS12Jun 1, 2010, 9:36 am · #14

Okay so let me get this straight. I can go to the pull a part, buy a c trans and bolt it up to my mk1 CA18et with no problems other than the tranny mount? I thought I read somewhere on here that a bellhousing swap was needed.

mod_mastazJun 1, 2010, 12:04 pm · #15

The original poster is in Europe, so if he gets an S13 with a CA18DET equipped car, then of course the trans will bolt up to the CA18ET.

8sixs12, what C trans are going to pull? S12 C or S13 C trans? You're too vague. Also search for the auto-to-manual conversion and B/C trans differences to find your answer.

8SixS12Jun 2, 2010, 3:35 am · #16

S12 C from a 87 CA20 Car.

EightySix200SXJun 2, 2010, 6:00 am · #17

8SixS12S12 C from a 87 CA20 Car.

If your car is a stick then. it will.swap fine Im using a 86 ca18 c trans on my 86 ca20 if your car is automatic u will have to use sterlings method applied to demonics12s car as well as mine check either of out build threads. To see pics. But if ur just swapping mt for mt then it will work if your doing at to mt then the crossmember issue arrises but thats it.

Bellhousing would be the same since there both c trans so going by your info posted it will swap in! nissan keeps there bellhousings the same as far as engine family goes ca,vg,sr.....Lol quit asking questions and swap it in already j/p! Ask more q via pm if u need help dude

XanoJun 2, 2010, 6:50 am · #18

And also, on cutting the pedal, you can make it look OEM just by simple sanding down and putting the rubber pedal cover back on.... Its exactly what I did with my old S12 (which I unfortunately never got around to putting the trans in.)

ArroJun 2, 2010, 6:53 am · #19

Sanding down what, the metal plate, and installing a manual pedal rubber piece?

XanoJun 2, 2010, 8:57 am · #20

ArroSanding down what, the metal plate, and installing a manual pedal rubber piece?

Yup. After you hacksaw the main chunk of it off, it doesnt take much, i used a dremel with a grinding wheel to get it to the exact right shape, and fit the manual pedal's pad onto it. I wish that car wasnt crushed, so i could get pictures still, but eh shit happens i guess.