Does anyone know or have tried to switch shifters in an automatic Trans AM between 1982-1992? I want to take the entire automatic shifter from a 1982 knight version Trans AM and put it in my 1986 Trans AM 5.0 V8 Automatic TPI Fuel Injected. I see the design is slightly different but my main concern is the transmission cable and the electronic module on the shifter telling the car which gear its in. Are there any difference in communication bettween the shifter module and ECM? And will I run into major problems with how the shifter cable attaches?

I'm doing this because I prefer the 1982 shifter with the button on top and i hate my t-handle shifter with the button on the side. To adapt just teh handle to the shifter shaft would involve welding and other fabrication.

Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated.

 

I gotta tell ya, I had a top button shifter **** on my auto 88 IROC and I went to a T-handle from a Saturn SL2. Yea I know it sounds stupid but its an awesome T-handle. Long story short, it slipped right on and I didn't have to fab up anything.

 

Yes i believe it if it was a camaro and from a similar year. I'm talking about the entire shifter assembly not just the handle. And what i mean't by fabrication i meant that GM made different slots on how the handles slides and locks into the shifter shaft. And is definately different between 82-86. I can cut just top ends of the shifter shafts and switch them but i would ratehr just un bolt the 86 and bolt in the 82 shifter assembly. Idk i'll figure it out, I just wanted some info incase someone has done this before and anything i should look out for before i tackle it.

 

The shifter in the 1982 is only going to have selections for a 3spd auto. It should bolt right in.

 

Hi,
Please search for some of my posts from Dec 2005. In those posts are pictures of where I converted my 82 shifter to work with an new 4L60e transmission. The conversion requires that you cut the detent part of the 700r4 shifter and attached t to the 82 shifter. You can used the lock and transmission cables from the 82 without any problems.