Stupid 5 Speed Swap

kwhauck · 04-17-2009, 05:56 PM

So I finally got down to denver this week to swap the built 5 speed into the alero. I picked up an 05 3400 motor out of monte carlo, looked the same, i knew some brackets had to be swapped, whatever, simple stuff. Got the flywheel and clutch bolted up, bolted the tranny up, everything looks good, drop it into car, some custom mounting brackets and everything looks great. Next morning i start on the bottom and hook everything up, A/C starter, ABS, Wiring harness, Fuel lines, etc. Get on top of the motor and the nightmares begin, 3 hours and 4 powering steering pumps later, I realize it's either yank the motor and new timing cover so I can get the power steering pump to line up, or I get a 3400 from a grand am or alero.

So an hour later the motor is out and i'm very frustrated. Next morning and a 12 pack later, I got a 3400 out of a 03 grand am. New motor drops in great, mounts are good still, then when i'm hooking the fuel line back up the fpr cracks, call up GM, it's a special order and can't come until tomorrow morning

two days later and a couple more minor issues aside everything is back together and the last thing to do is stab in the axles, fill with fluids, and break the clutch in.......here it comes......

......passenger axle is a good 2 inches short, drivers is a good 2 inches long, motor is in a great position, 2 out of 4 stock motor mounts were used. Next morning, after 4 hours of searching and 2 or 3 12 packs l call up a couple local driveshaft shops, and the driveshaft shop, looks like $600 for shitty pieces together stock axles, or $1300 for 500hp level 3 customs from the driveshaft shop, so the alero with remain in denver for a month or two until the custom driveshaft shop axles are done....

........

On a side note, hp tuners has handled the 5 speed swap great so far and I anticipate no problems on that side, i got a set of almost brand new potenzas for my wheels for $150!! 255/40/17s in the front and 235/45/17s in the rear.

So all problems aside the alero runs again, after almost 3 years,

which makes me very happy. And the new axles should be done in a month or two, and be ready for the boosted motor and fabrication of the supercharger setup!!!

Trickyslick · 04-17-2009, 06:25 PM

Sounds sweet good job and as always keep us posted.

Spilner521 · 04-17-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhauck

255/40/17s in the front and 235/45/17s in the rear.

Nice! Staggered FWD setup

black00gt1 · 04-18-2009, 01:48 AM

any progress pix?

glad u'r finally working on the alero

comanche · 04-18-2009, 03:33 PM

Wow... nice job. Definitely keep posting updates.....

billytheman1188 · 04-18-2009, 05:12 PM

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Rexter9x · 04-18-2009, 08:20 PM

*sigh* doing a 5/6 speed swap is the one thing I dream of with my car... If only I knew what to do lol. Any progress pics?

kwhauck · 04-18-2009, 11:38 PM

yeah i'll get some pics up tomorrow....

kwhauck · 04-19-2009, 12:35 PM

here's a couple pics.......

jrim · 04-20-2009, 04:53 PM

cool! i wouldn't mind those rims with a silver ring around the edge

Nate's Alero · 04-20-2009, 04:54 PM

holywow

kwhauck · 04-20-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrim

cool! i wouldn't mind those rims with a silver ring around the edge

that would ruin them IMO, rims with a colored lip are played out IMO, this is just a classic styled rim, 10yrs from now they will still look awesome, shit they are already 5 years old, been discontinued for over 2 years......

TheEdgeofSanity · 04-20-2009, 09:51 PM

not to change the subject but what ever happened to blackjack and his car?

kwhauck · 04-20-2009, 09:59 PM

i'm sure he still has it, but i'm pretty sure he went to the sandbox and will be there for awhile.......

worknprog.99 · 04-20-2009, 10:00 PM

those are probably one of my favorite sets of rims... i wish i could find some used ones

kwhauck · 04-20-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worknprog.99

those are probably one of my favorite sets of rims... i wish i could find some used ones

thank you, but seriously........

.....good luck, i was fortunate to pick up a set when they were being discontinued (almost 2 years ago) and just 2 weeks ago after searching for almost a year, picked up two more as spares, they are not easy to come by for sure.....

but if you look you may get lucky, i hounded a guy on g35driver for awhile and never got a response, and then found the two I just bought on a 350zowners forum about a month ago, luckily he has just traded his z and sold them to me for a good price, they were mounted to some drag radials and only used once.....

if you do look, browse g35/g37/350z forums, that is the original fitment of these rims, 17x8 +32 offset......

worknprog.99 · 04-20-2009, 10:06 PM

what is the brand?
they kinda resemble one of the wheel options for the newer gtp's
i like the flat look they give

kwhauck · 04-20-2009, 10:07 PM

wedssport tc-005, they are japanese lightweight forged rims, knock-off is the adr ikari?

worknprog.99 · 04-20-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhauck

wedssport tc-005, they are japanese lightweight forged rims, knock-off is the adr ikari?

and they are 5x114.3 or 115? you dont have some adapter things going?

kwhauck · 04-20-2009, 10:18 PM

5x114.3 and they fit great......