Topic: trans swaps (long question)

[sma97tj]

i just read the trans swap facts thread but i am not undestanding it all.theres a lot of info about bellhousings and transmissions in there and i was hopeing for some more input from some one in the know about these things.
what i have is an ax5 that has a terrible noise in fifth gear at 40+ mph in coast not under throttle.i am pretty shure that is the fifth gear shaft bearing, how ever it is starting to develop the noise now in fourth  which i beleive is the main imput shaft bearing.i would like to switch out my trans for one that is stronger and i have heard about the ax 15 swap and it looks doable how ever at a later time i would like to swap my 2.5 for something a little better. i would prefer to swap in a v6 or something unique and i guess my question is if you could swap any trans in behind the 2.5 now what would it be and only have to switch the bell housing later with a differnt motor what would you chose. i would like to keep the cost down as much as possible using junk yard parts and still getting something worth having

[chardrc]

if your going v6 long run, the 2.5l has the chevy small v6 bell-housing bolt pattern.. so a chevy 3.8l v6 would "bolt right in"to whatever tray bellhousing you get for the 2.5l other than figuring out the clutch and what not...

[sharpxmen]

this is what you need (from memory, you might want to doublecheck)

- AX15 or NV3550 transmission
- Dakota 96 2.5L 4cyl bellhousing
- matching 23 input spline t-case or replace your input shaft in the t-case
- Advance adapters pilot bushing (i think it is listed as a 4500 transmission bushing but can't remember) - this will replace the pilot bearing and it is made out of oilite bronze
- Camaro '86 (i think) 4 cyl clutch disk
- longer clutch slave pushrod (about 1'' longer, i didn't write it down unfortunately so i can't remember) - best to measure how much is your's sticking out with the AX5 and then make one out of 3/8 rod (again from memory) rounded at the ends.

I don't know if you need a different length driveshaft or not, i also replaced the t-case so i had custom length d/shafts made.

I hope i didn't miss anything

[Bounty Hunter]

One of my AX5's started making noise in the higher gears first, then got progressively louder in the lower gears as the bearings got worse.

If price and time is a concern like it sounds it is, I'd replace it with an AX5.  Too much of a headache to find a transmission that will work with your 2.5L and with an upgraded engine down the road, without dropping a bundle on a conversion bellhousing.  If you do the AX15 conversion, you're still limited to what you can bolt in front of it.

I'd go the AX5 route, then later drop in an entire GM 4.3L drivetrain including the 231c, keeping adapter costs out of the equation.