I've had my eye on this 89 trans am gta but I was really hoping to to get a manual trans am. I still haven't found any manual trans ams or any trans am in my price range except thisb89 gta. But the locks switches are stuck and so is the electric trunk latch. But by main issue is I want to manual swap it and I have the time and resources to do so and I got a buddy that's done a manual swap before. The info i need is If a t5 from the hawks motorsport swap kit will fit the 5.7l because that transmission is for the 5.0l engine.

 

Yes, a T5 from a 5.0 will bolt right up to a 5.7

 

thanks a bunch! Looks like I might be buying that 89 trans am. But is there any more complications I should worry about? Like electronics and the tachometer and speedometer? Also where would I look for buying advice on this thing?

 

If it is the same as my 1989 IROC conversion, there is fabrication required. You will need to completely remove the center console and cut a large hole in the top of the tunnel for the shifter to come through. You will also need to completely replace the pedal assembly and cut the proper holes for the clutch cylinder in the firewall. You will also want to beef up the firewall with a thin metal thickening plate (just a shim plate).

The pedal assembly is mounted to the firewall with four bolts coming from the brake booster (and a fifth bolt up under the dash). You need to remove the brake booster anyway to gain access to cut the firewall and install the clutch release cylinder through the firewall from the engine side.

Now that I have done it once I could do it again much more quickly but it takes a lot of time to disassemble and reassemble the first time.

 

Might note that the later version of the T5 is a much better transmission than the early one. Not real sure when the upgrade came about so do your homework on that. And a T5 is not a brute transmission, stand some abuse but has its limits. Kind of a shame that GM never came up with a good manual trans. for the 5.7 motor in these third gens.

 

thanks! Also will I need to replace the ecu? And what part of the firewall where you reinforcing with that metal shim? And do you have an image example?

 

No, you shouldn't need to change the ECM I do not think. I could be wrong with later than 89 models.

The way to do it is find a donor car and take all of the parts from there, including the transmission.

Here is the firewall penetration and reinforcement. I paid another member to cut one out and send it to me I used it as a template and them left it in there so I actually have double reinforcement and the firewall.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exte...l-doubler.html

 

I could be mistaken , but I thought there was different programming between the automatic VS manual shift ECMs , mostly centered around proper idling characteristics . Maybe Dirty Duke should reach out to Tuned Performance for guidance ? ( Duke , TP is a member here named Brian who is the "go to guy" for ECM programming)

 

The easy cheat is to wire the shifter wire so the computer thinks the car is always in park/neutral.

There are tons of T5 swap threads, probably more T56 swap threads. It's not exactly an undiscovered country.

 

The ECM is not a problem. In my opinion, the fabrication was by far the hardest part and in particular, the firewall fabrication. But it wasn't bad. Like anything, the first time one does it, it is slow, second time, much quicker and with familiarity and confidence.

 

How do I wire the neutral safety switch so my car will start? I did a LS swap with an AR-5 manual 5 speed. I took the cable out that runs to the automatic shifter and can't get my car to start now. Anyone know what to do???

 

When I manual swapped my car there was a wire harness for the manual trans actually coiled up behind the driver side kick panel. It had the clip on the end for the interlock switch on the clutch pedal. It was a nice surprise. The thick yellow and purple wires are the ones you need from the auto shifter switch (if the manual harness isn't there) If those wires aren't jumpered it won't turn over. I would extend them to the switch on the clutch. You could also wire them to a moment switch. You'll also need to do the same we the reverse lights on that switch harness.

there is also a cable that moves w the shifter that moves the steering column key release mech. For years I left that in a position to let the key to move freely. I eventually got a rebuild manual trans car column. But things all really only related to physical key/tumbler movement and key release.

 

I will look. Is it the purple with white stripe?

 

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