So looks like the Trooper exhaust matched up to the muffler without modification then?
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So looks like the Trooper exhaust matched up to the muffler without modification then?
Yea it matched up nicely. I need to go get a gasket for that juncture. The one I had was too small. I had a couple new gaskets for the manafolds already so I just stuck those in there. An added bonus on project left overs. :smilegray
This is a good thread to read. Nice to have this option in the back of my head if the transmission ever goes out.
Ya, now if someone would just do it for me. My garage isn't large enough to turn wrenches well in and none of my trusted shops wants to tackle it. Most citing it isn't high on their "want to to list" or "it's going to take to much of their time due to R&D". I respect both excuses. :(
Over all it hasn't been that difficult. Some parts are time consuming like mating the cases together. I figure I will have spent around 40 +- hours doing the swap. A possible compromise would be to just have a shop pull out the auto and install the manual. From there it is fairly straight forward. Shouldn't be any R&D required once I finish the documentation. No fabrication or welding needed, I did have to drill 1 hole in a dust cover but that is it. I was concerned the Trooper shifter would be too tall but as it turns out fits perfect.
I will document the wiring needed to finish off the build here soon. Been under the weather the past couple days. :(
Sorry to hear that Greg, hope you feel better!
I've been sitting on my AR5 and respective flywheel for about a year. Now that some other things in my life are starting to settle a bit, I'm going to get this tackled in the early part of this year. This thread is a boon, so thanks!
IIRC, BigMeat said something about still needing to figure out the cruise control. I hope that will be addressed in this thread, as well.
Keep up the bodacious work!
Good luck with your Vx trans swap you might want to look into a trooper with the manual trans has everything your looking for even a on/off button for the TOD system.
Yup, TOD works just fine, as does 4-lo (and low it is in first gear!) and his TOD on/off switch for some RWD VX fun! :smilewink No idea if he ever got the Cruise working 'cause I never use it anyway and haven't driven the truck in a few months.
Sorry about never getting that wiring diagram posted. I found it, but my scanner isn't working for some reason. I can take some pictures of it if you think it might be helpful but it sounds like you are getting it worked out fine on your own.
Plus I'm a little busy with my own project. Finally got my garage cleaned out and started working on pulling my Dragon VX's blown engine and swapping in the 02 Axiom motor. Planning to do a write up on it when I'm done.
Great work. Did you know Isuzu built at least five VX's with manual shift and TOD??? Yes, that's right, rally competition models. You can verify this plus learn a thing or two by consulting the VX parts book. Sections 2-20 and beyond detail the pedals etc. If you don't have access let me know, I'll have my wife scan and post the manual transmission pages. Good luck.
If you have the time that would be great!!!
Just learned something... the same AR-5 manual that we're swapping into my VX was also used on the Pontiac Solstice GXP. That car featured a dual-turbo 2.0 L I4 Ecotec engine that made 260 hp and 260 lb-ft torque while getting 19/28 MPG. The VX is heavier by almost a thousand pounds, but you'd drop a good chunk of that just by going from a V6 to an I4...
So since we know an AR-5 mates to an Ecotec engine is it conceivable that you could swap that engine instead? Discuss... :)
Another nice thing about the manual swap is getting a better crawl ratio because the AR5 has a lower first gear than our auto.
Stock VX crawl ratio: 2.86 (1st) x 2.48 (T-case) x 4.30 (axles)= 30.5
Manual VX crawl ratio: 3.75 (1st) x 2.48 (T-case) x 4.30 (axles)=39.9
Sounds like the difference is noticable???
Also, did you know that the VX auto tranny was used on '91-'92 3 series BMW's? So there's another engine option.
You guys should be talking to Bruce Garland in OZ. He built several manual shift VX's for competition, like the Australian Safari Rally etc.
No thanks, not trying to make my engine less reliable AND more expensive to fix. :p
Good point. Merely letting the gang know all the options out there.
Yup, its got a super low first gear. I haven't wheeled much in a stock VX, but I can tell you I was going down a really steep hill at about 3-4 MPH just letting it cruise down in 1st. Going uphill it pulls really well too.
I'll see what I can do today and put them up in my gallery.
Very much so, just wiring the instrument cluster would be the biggest concern. Add'l info: there is also a 2.4 non turbo engine, and it would also appear that the aforementioned 2.0 is the same engine in the Cobalt SS and HHR SS, as per ebay auction 130586906920.
I, for one, in order to increase gas mileage would strongly consider a 2.0L w/a 5MT, especially since there are aftermarket parts to boost the power of the 2.0L.
No its a pretty clever question and after thinking about it for a while, I didn't have a good answer.
Heavy VX= bad canidate for a 4 cylinder :(
I4 smaller/lighter than 3.5L= good weight shed for VX :)
I4 turbos= possible annoying turbo lag (maybe not since there's 2) :confused:
I4 more HP= that's all good :)
I4 better MPG= also all good :)
Sky/Solstice short production run= that engine could cost big $$$ :(
Too many pros/cons to make a stance. I think its a great idea as long as the extra 45HP goes to the wheels. Then again the MPG alone may make the swap worth it.
No worries, its not posted... until NOW :bgwo::
Aisin AR5 Transmission
1st:3.75
2nd:2.26
3rd:1.37
4th:1.00
5th:0.73
R:3.67
4L30E
1st: 2.86
2nd: 1.62
3rd: 1.00
4th: 0.72
Rev.: 2.00
To answer your question, the OD is about the same but think about all the extra power you'll have going in reverse!