S15 SR20DET/6 Speed into my '70 SRL

[spriso]

Rebuilding those front legs on the frame makes all the difference on the 6-speed swap-- otherwise you have to trim too much out of the X to really make it structural without a major rebuild.

You will love the 6-speed!

Keep up us updated on how your swap is going, it may seem a lot like the 'same' thing to you, but it will help motivate others who are considering the swap, and I love seeing how others solve issues with their conversions.

Keep up the great work,

Michael

[gboone]

Today has been Good Friday in more ways than one. With the exception of the exhaust openings in the X member, we finished all the frame welding.
Action shots It was surprisingly easy to lift the frame up on its side by hand with 2 people.

DSCF0702.jpg

DSCF0703.jpg

Still have to locate and drill the holes for the tranny mount bolts. The tail of the tranny will sit a little lower than most. Then it's off for sandblasting and paint.

DSCF0706.jpg

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[spriso]

Nice trans mount Gary! Have fun with the exhaust holes...

Please take the gas can out of the garage though... that just gave me shivers seeing that so close to where you are welding and grinding!

Michael

[gboone]

Please take the gas can out of the garage though... that just gave me shivers seeing that so close to where you are welding and grinding!

Michael

Michael, no need to worry about the gas can. It's empty.

More stuff:
Parts to build the exhaust manifold. A Treadstone flange, with fittings (requires trimming to fit), and turbo flange, all of 304SS. Radius plate is not shown, which will connect the manifold log to turbo flange.

Manifold pieces.jpg

The manifold flange bolted to a piece of channel, to prevent warping from welding the fittings to the flange. The aluminum foil is sandwiched between to prevent carbon contamination of the SS.

Manifold flange.jpg

[gboone]

The body is back in my garage. Getting ready to set the tranny on the frame and roll the frame under the body to determine the fit of the tunnel to the 6 speed. I haven't been able to separate the tranny from the engine. It hasn't budged even a gnats ass. After removing the little inspection cover at the bottom rear of the block, the flywheel looks pretty rusty, so I suspect corrosion may be my enemy to separating the tranny. I can't even get a gap to drive a wedge in to. I removed 12 bolts. Have I missed one?

How's it look on 2" wheels?

Body is back.jpg

[ladydriver]

maybe this helps? I could not find more in the digital S15 manual. Also don't know if it is a 5 or 6 speed or a turbo or non turbo engine used in the manual, but let me know if you want more info from the manual.





Maybe there is rust on your price axle (not sure to call it that way), than patience, can you reach it with some WD40? Maybe you can reach the bolts from inside that hole to losen the pressure plate?

[George H]

If the bolts are all removed then the dowels would be seized into the transmission. You might have to tap the dowels with a punch to loosen them. Use a good penetrating fluid as well.

[gboone]

I just got the tranny off. There was a 13th bolt hiding under the vent line.

[ladydriver]

hahahaha, pffffffew, a lot of grey hair less now

[gboone]

The body is suspended from the ceiling with 4 chain hoists (the straps are just a backup). The 6 speed is mounted on the frame, which is elevated on rolling jack stands so I can move it any direction with ease for positioning under the body as I lower it. The main point of this is to check the fit of the tranny to the body tunnel and then mod accordingly.

body over frame 1.jpg

body over frame 2.jpg

This is the prelude mod that's more important:

BAB.jpg

[Alvin]

VERY nice Gary!
paint that engine bay while it's apart… I am jealous keep up the progress

[spriso]

Nice brakes!

Things are progressing nicely... keep the photos coming Gary!

Michael

[gboone]

Nice brakes!
Michael

Yes, quite nice. I'm trying ceramic pads.

[aspitfire]

Love your car man, keep up the great work!

[gboone]

My modification to the tranny tunnel is complete. Notice I incorporated a break in the new panel on the trailing and top edge. I used a break on the trailing edge so I could achieve the extra space required for the 6 speed without removing the factory U-shaped stiffener inside the tunnel.