I have a 2003 5SP non turbo, and have to commute to the city, it has been a pain in the arse over the last 2 years of commute. The current gear box is on its way out, only a little life left in it. I was going to just swap out the gear box to another 5 speed but I thought that I would give a slush box a try since they are more than 5 times more plentiful than what I currently have.
So far what I know, I will need a new ECU, shifter knob, maybe tranny cooler and THATS IT!
What else will I need to swap over to a ready to drive auto box?
Looking to change over to an Automatic
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Re: Looking to change over to an Automatic
TCU, wiring harness, entire shifter assembly w cable, front axles, not sure but possibly the rear driveshaft, trans mount, pedal box, and I am sure I missed a few bits. Be sure to verify front and rear ratios match exactly. Another swap to consider would be to stay manual and swap to an STi 6 speed from a JDM importer. I don't know where you live but they are all over the place, VA JDM here in D.C. is good. The swap is pretty well documented and that trans can take a ton of abuse. If your thinking about staying with stock size tires this would work well and be plenty strong enough for a later STi engine or H6 swap. If you thinking about a lift and bigger tires then the auto is the way to go. But if you want a tough tranny the STi 6 can't be beat.
Swap info here, some minor adjustments for Baja hardware will be needed: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1412230
Swap info here, some minor adjustments for Baja hardware will be needed: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1412230
Re: Looking to change over to an Automatic
Thank you for the reply.
You said TCU, as in Traction Control Unit, thought that was part of the ECU/ECM?
Wire harness as in full harness for the engine and dash?
You said TCU, as in Traction Control Unit, thought that was part of the ECU/ECM?
Wire harness as in full harness for the engine and dash?
Re: Looking to change over to an Automatic
TCU- Transmission Control Unit
Having done this swap in the other direction, the biggest job will be the wiring. There is a substantial wiring harness that goes along with the AT and the TCU. This harness will not be in a MT car. Rather than trying to make it up, you would be better off getting the bulkhead harness out of a donor. To have a chance of matching up, the donor for the harness would have to be a turbo Baja.
Before you go too far, take a look at the wiring diagram to see what all is going to be involved with swapping in an AT.
Having done this swap in the other direction, the biggest job will be the wiring. There is a substantial wiring harness that goes along with the AT and the TCU. This harness will not be in a MT car. Rather than trying to make it up, you would be better off getting the bulkhead harness out of a donor. To have a chance of matching up, the donor for the harness would have to be a turbo Baja.
Before you go too far, take a look at the wiring diagram to see what all is going to be involved with swapping in an AT.
Re: Looking to change over to an Automatic
Took my transmission 3 weeks to find what they thought was "the last Baja TCU in the US." Good luck finding one. There are plenty of us that would readily trade an auto for a manual. I just ticked 110K on my 05 auto, what does yours have?
Re: Looking to change over to an Automatic
About 225K, yeah the box is making a sort of gear whining noise while driving, mostly in lower gears, gets more pronounced after it warms up. Difficulty disengaging clutch and syncros in 1,2. I changed the oil twice in the box withing the last 50K. Its barely noticeably at highway speeds but gearing down makes low noise. Started happening when I took a 250m drive without added 4 extra psi to rear tires, while the vehicle was loaded up. Pressure was at 30F, 29R.