Well, I've searched the crap out of this forum for a write up on this (this = trans swap from Isuzu to Getrag F23 on a '97 Sunfire) and the results are pretty much limited to, "yeah, you need to cut/weld the mount" or "it bolts up, you just gotta switch the clutch, hydraulics, master/slave cylinders, flywheel, shifter, shifter cables, etc...".

Disclaimer: this is not to say that something more-in-depth does not exist, but for right now, I'm having some kinda trouble finding it

So, with that said, if anybody could provide me with any one of the following, I may owe you some beer:

-a link to a detailed write up on the swap
-a link to detailed pics of the swap
-a contact for someone who has done the swap themselves

The reason that I need this is so that I may pass it on to the mechanic who's going to be installing my new tranny (he, as well as my car, are 14 hours away from where I live). There is pretty much no way for me to be there for the install (unless I happen to find a couple thousand dollars in the back pocket of my jeans tomorrow) so I need to give him instructions on the swap so that he may a) provide me with a ballpark quote, and b) he has something to reference for the actual install if I decide to go through with the Getrag swap.

If I could somehow magically get this by mid-afternoon tomorrow (Friday, August 03, 2007), there is a slim chance that I could also get his quote, which could then result in me purchasing a Getrag, which could then be delivered over the weekend, installed during the following week, and I could then fly out on the weekend following and pick up my car. What's in for you you ask? Well, you'd become my new hero (until that transmission blows too), I would owe you beer (I am Canadian, so we've got the good stuff), and I could make you a pretty sweet signature for JBO (though it might take me a little while to get around to it).

Just to be clear, I don't give a crap as to when replies come in, as I'm desperate for anything here, I was just saying that if it was sometime tomorrow, that would be extra rad.

THANKS to everyone and anyone who can help with this.

I am also Canadian Eh.

Where to start. I have just done this swap in my 99 Z24 and I could absolutely not be any happier with the results. The F23 is a1/3 the cost of an Isuzu and is 3 times as good. DO NOT be afraid to do this swap, aside from having to weld in a new rear mount it is a very simple project.

PM me with specific questions.

Cheers.

J S wrote:I am also Canadian Eh.

Where to start. I have just done this swap in my 99 Z24 and I could absolutely not be any happier with the results. The F23 is a1/3 the cost of an Isuzu and is 3 times as good. DO NOT be afraid to do this swap, aside from having to weld in a new rear mount it is a very simple project.

PM me with specific questions.

Cheers.

Thanks for the offer man.

As far as the transmission is concerned, I purchased an 01' Getrag on Saturday, with 20,000 KMs on the rebuild, LSD, B&M short throw, and all the necessary parts for the swap. I kind of pieced together my own "how-to" by combining various quotes from multiple posts.

The install should be getting started on Tuesday, so if I run into any issues, which with my luck, is a very real possibility, I'll hit you up with some questions.

Thanks again.

so, if you pieced together a how-to, can you post that??
the thread title kinda leads in that direction and I would like to do this swap on my '99 Z. (which is Canadian-market originally, but somehow found its way to Texas...)
and how is Canadian beer better than what we get in the States?



LD9 F23 FTW!!

not to say that this is a bad swap..but you DO realize you can drop in the older getrag from the HO quad WITHOUT the cutting and welding and the tranny will be just as good..right? just want to make sure

Yeah, I'm pretty much ready to strip my car of all the parts and push the rolling chassis off a mountain side into a fire.

I just got a call from the guys who are doing the install on my car, and apparently, after it was all done and put back together, they went to bleed the clutch and nothing happened. As in, it would appear as though the slave is pissing into the housing. So, now I get to pay to have the Getrag taken back out, inspected, fixed, then put back in, on top of what I'm already paying for the swap install. My back's getting sore from being bent over on a daily basis...

It's like I was saying to Skunk earlier, "having to pay someone else to work on your car is like having to pay someone else to have sex with your woman". It's all sorts of wrong.

SO, if you do this swap, make sure of the following:

1) Your car is not 14 hours from where you are
2) You are 100% positive that every piece you got for the swap works 100%
3) You have some form of back up funding to pay for all the crap that might happen

Well, unless you're me, maybe just pay close attention to number 2, because if you think dropping trannys sucks, try doing it twice back to back, and having to pay to have it done...

im still curious as to why you used the newer getrag instead of the bolt up one?

A number of reasons:

1) With my car being stuck on Vancouver Island, the transmission I purchased was located in Victoria, which is only two hours away from where my car is. The seller was also kind enough to offer to drive the transmission to where the car is located, thus alleviating any potential shipping disasters or problems, as well as any shipping delays.

2) Finding decent used transmissions in the B.C. area is damn near impossible.

3) I knew the exact history of the transmission purchased (The seller I purchased it from never installed the transmission, and the owner prior to that is a long time and respected member of JBO).

4) This transmission had low KMs on a rebuild and already had a TeamGREEN LSD installed, again, saving future time, money and headaches.

And that, is why...

all good reasons ...execpt the last one

Quote:

again, saving future time, money and headaches.

im sorry your going thru this..i certainly feel your pain..went thru the same kinda issue with my engine build.. i hope all works out for you

Ahhh... my old transmission it served me very well, sucks to hear about the slave issues... wish I was there to kick the shop's ass on your behalf

...j

John Lenko wrote:Ahhh... my old transmission it served me very well, sucks to hear about the slave issues... wish I was there to kick the shop's ass on your behalf

...j

I wish I was in about three different places on the island right now to kick three different people's heads in on my behalf...

But instead, I'm 14 hours away with my ass propped up in the air taking one for the team every time the phone rings. (LOL, but, not really LOL)

By the way Lenko, I figured out what the issue was/is, so I'll throw an email your way detailing it.

scott (section8cav) wrote:all good reasons ...execpt the last one

Quote:

again, saving future time, money and headaches.

im sorry your going thru this..i certainly feel your pain..went thru the same kinda issue with my engine build.. i hope all works out for you

The older Getrag really isn't all that great. I've had one in my car for about a year and a half. It shifts like @!#$ compared to the newer Getrag. Extremely notchy. Nothing to brag about. It put up with alot of abuse, but the 2nd gear syncro just went out, and I'm swapping over to the newer Getrag. I drove my buddies car with the new Getrag in it and it shifts like butter compared to mine.



2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited
1999 Cavalier Z24 Supercharged
1999 Grand AM SE (Beater Car)
1997 GMC Sierra
2007 Honda CBR 600RR
2005 Honda TRX450R