97 ss trans swap - Honda Prelude Forum

jaxhammer · 09-19-2011, 05:51 PM

I have a 97 ss with a bad trans, big surprise. I found a used jdm tiptronic trans for 900 bucks with 40k. Leaning towards buying this. My question is, how difficult is it to remove the trans? Can anybody give me the steps involved to do this?

12G · 09-20-2011, 11:26 AM

I used a motorcycle jack to get it out with the car pretty high on jack stands and removed a sensor to slide the tranny out from under the car and i did it with only my 105 lb wife to help, that was fun. The rear bolts are an ass, to remove the axles don't take the whole suspension on both sides apart like i did, theirs a lower control arm joint that you can take the bolt out of on both sides, and pull the axles out. I also had to turn the tranny sideways to get it out it didn't just drop down dont know why. BE CAREFUL OF EXTERIOR SOLENOIDS! Even though your trannys crap, they can still be sold for a nice profit! or you can buy the rebuild book for that transmission for $50 bucks, rebuild it and sell it. removing the starter helps with room and load.

jaxhammer · 09-21-2011, 08:10 PM

thanks for the info. so you only have to remove the axles, remove the bell housing bolts, and drop it down? I was worried I might have to remove a bracket or subframe or something like that. How much external stuff needs removed? wires etc.

dblair · 09-21-2011, 10:24 PM

I did the conversion to a 5 speed. My wife weighs 105 as well and was my helper. I wouldn't do it without a Helm manual. Best investment you can make if you're going to work on you car.

Asianpoet · 09-21-2011, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dblair

Best investment you can make if you're going to work on you car.

I hope that you didnt pay for it. cause you can dl it for free..

I find it easier to remove the whole engine and transmision. (especially when working alone)

minilogoguy18 · 09-22-2011, 06:17 AM

If you're asking how to remove the trans then you might be in over your head. For the amount you're spending on a trans that will fail again you should just save a little more and convert to 5spd and have a trans that will outlast the car.

SnOwAnGeL · 09-22-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minilogoguy18

If you're asking how to remove the trans then you might be in over your head. For the amount you're spending on a trans that will fail again you should just save a little more and convert to 5spd and have a trans that will outlast the car.

^----/thread

S-LudeDan · 09-22-2011, 07:23 PM

^not yet.

what is he doesn't know how to drive stick? what if he doesn't wanna learn?

I mean we always give advice to 5th gen luders with auto transmission to go ahead and swap for the manual. But do we ever consider the fact that maybe some people don't know how to drive stick and will never be able to do it?

I know many people that no matter how hard they tried to learn standard, they just never understood it.

SnOwAnGeL · 09-22-2011, 07:28 PM

That's what an Accord is for.

S-LudeDan · 09-22-2011, 07:35 PM

at least you could have said that's what a 4th gen Prelude auto is for. Some of the best auto transmissions around.

why should he settle for a conservative looking car like Accord?

Kronn 98SH · 09-22-2011, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-LudeDan

^not yet.

what is he doesn't know how to drive stick? what if he doesn't wanna learn?

I mean we always give advice to 5th gen luders with auto transmission to go ahead and swap for the manual. But do we ever consider the fact that maybe some people don't know how to drive stick and will never be able to do it?

I know many people that no matter how hard they tried to learn standard, they just never understood it.

I would prefer if stupid people didn't own Preludes.

jaxhammer · 09-23-2011, 09:45 PM

car is for my 16 yr old son and he doesnt want to learn to drive a stick just yet. I'm not in over my head. Swapped plenty of engines but mostly rear wheel drives. Wouldnt have a problem figuring this out. Just trying to get a heads up on doing a front wheel drive trans. Thanks for any informative replies.

jaxhammer · 09-23-2011, 09:49 PM

And found a JDM trans for 600. Going to pick it up tomorrow.

Rycon · 09-23-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxhammer

car is for my 16 yr old son and he doesnt want to learn to drive a stick just yet. I'm not in over my head. Swapped plenty of engines but mostly rear wheel drives. Wouldnt have a problem figuring this out. Just trying to get a heads up on doing a front wheel drive trans. Thanks for any informative replies.

Hey I understand what your trying to do, but if you have replaced engines you know how it works. With something like this you need service manuals or something like Helms or Chilton. Its a serious project and nobody has written a pretty DIY for it as far as I know.

I understand not converting to manual, but make sure your making worthwhile investments. Sure your son doesn't want to learn yet, but honestly you know its best to learn as soon as possible to maximize experience.

minilogoguy18 · 09-25-2011, 10:35 AM

Would still really insist on him learning to drive a 5 speed or just getting rid of the car, that trans you're buying WILL fail. You're gonna regret wasting your money on it.

jaxhammer · 09-26-2011, 08:36 PM

are the jdm tiptronic transmissions any better than the american made? i read the american used substandard metals in the needle bearings and the clutch packs. hoping jdm used better materials.

minilogoguy18 · 09-27-2011, 05:27 AM

I doubt it, triptronic was a new thing back then, it hadn't been perfected yet. I don't think anyone wanted to test it with worries that it will just fail again.

98__SH · 09-27-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnOwAnGeL

That's what an Accord is for.

lulz

98__SH · 09-27-2011, 10:33 AM

To the OP: Seems like you're set on your ways, and either I hope that it all works out for you.

If he just wants to get used to driving and the rules of the road for a while on an auto, I can respect that. Sooner or later if he gets really into cars though he'll probably want the standard, so keep that in mind if you think he may be going down that path.

dlndjh · 09-27-2011, 12:24 PM

I love all of these knowledgeable 20-somethings telling you how to raise your son.