I'm interested in putting a 'real' (none OD) 5-speed tranny in my '85 244T if I decide to keep it for a while. I've seen various topics on this subject, so what are all the options? Cost is a large factor, as well as if I can do it vs. having it done. And the overall quality of the different ones (for smoothness and quickness of shifting).
Thanks

If your criteria are smooth and quick shifting, you definitely want to investigate the Supra transmission conversion. I read here once that someone in Australia manufactured a conversion kit, but I never tracked them down.

I don't know how well the Supra transmission would work in a brick, and I don't know how much work the conversion is. I do know that a stock Volvo 5-speed (I've had two) shifts pretty much like a 3/4 ton Chevy pickup (had two of those also). A Toyota Supra shifts like a race car. No comparison.

I'll have to see if I can find anything about that- I'll post. Thanks

You could put a factory 5-speed in there, Volvo made one that'll fit and work. It's the M47 and it's in all 240 and 740 non-turbos in NOrth America from 87-on.

It's just not strong enough to survive behind a turbo engine for the long term. It would be fine if you weren't hard on it and probably would last for years. There's at least one person on here with one in a turbo, so it definitely does work.

The only realistic alternative I've seen is adapting a Toyota Supra transmission to work- that sounds like more than a weekend project to me but I'm certain it's a nice gearbox.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: "Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!"

1987 model year NA 740s still used the M46. Volvo introduced the M47 in the 700 series NA cars in 1988.

There is also a project to install the World Class Borg Warner T5 in the 240 series. The 740 series is to follow. See the picture below;

Dang John - who's workin' that one?
--
http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

There were a bunch of posts about this. Some to the 200 forum, some to the 700, and some to the tbricks list sorta recently.. so I can't imagine it's that secret.

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=589890
http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=590131


This is the route I plan to eventually go with the wagon. $200 for a new OD solenoid, $400 for most of the parts (incl. a tranny if I pull it from a yard) required for a T5 swap. Ya know, I'm just not THAT fond of the M46.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

Yeah- I thought I saw some posts about that- that's what I'd like. Much like you, Alex, I have leaks and OD issues with my m46. I hope to see more about this when it's available to us.

Thanks everyone who posted.

Yeah. I'm almost tempted to drop an M45 or something in there. It's really frustrating sometimes.

That said, I bet a WorldClass T5 (from what I've read it must be from a 90 or 91 Mustang) is probably easier to find in a yard, find parts for, and easier to service than a Supra transmission.

If you were really desperate you could try to import an M90 (something I had considered) from Europe, or you could scour the yards for the appropriate Getrag transmission (from a BMW)... OR you could snag an AW71 and build that up with stronger clutch packs, a higher stall speed torque converter, etc. I like the AW because it's overall a durable transmission that can (supposedly) withstand more power than an M46. But it does have a tendency (at least in stock form) to blunt the response of the engine quite a bit. If you're truely feeling insane, you could drop in a ZF4HP22 from a 740 (hey, it's even got a lockup torque converter and no overdrive to fiddle with). Supposedly they're more responsive, but good luck finding a working one.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'85 245 Turbo

I won't say that I am sworn to secrecy, but the party doing the conversion doesn't want to be inundated with e-mail from people who aren't serious until the project is 100% and on the market. Are you not just looking for information, but seriously interested? If so, I will ask to have your name added to the mailing list. Also, see http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/t5_history.htm