Well, after thinking about it I have decided to turn the soon-to-be TGP into a 5 speed manual. I know that after I install the turbo and rest of the mods (should be around 400 whp) that I will not be long before the stock transmission starts to slips, clunks, shears an input shaft or anything else that dooms the 4t65.

The same dude I bought the turbo off of is doing this currently so I have learned alot about this swap from his thread and talking to him. He actually is a pretty good guy after we got everything sorted out.

I figure I should have it done in a weekend or two after I have all the parts if I work hard at it.


Here is the donor car that the transmission, firewall plate, clutch master and slave, pedals etc and most of the swap parts are coming from. It's an 89 Grand Prix. $200 cash for it.






It's got a getrag 282. These trans are bullitproof and will withstand the power that the TGP will put out. If something does go wrong with the trans for some reason, I can always swap out the gears from those of a newer getrag from a 2000+ cavalier or similar. You just have to use the housing from a wbody 5 speed like this donor car.

The car still ran last fall but I don't plan on driving it. I will be driving a fullsize car trailer up to pick it up rather than plating it and driving it.

Basically the only parts I'll need that aren't in this car are a machined 3800 camaro flywheel, some tranny fluid, a clutch and a driver side non HD axle from a GT.

The clutch i'll probably be going with is a stage 3+ SPEC clutch. After shipping it should be around $550. It's good for 525 ft/lbs of torque. It should be strong enough. The next one up is good for 650 ft/lbs but is not very streetable.



The flywheel after machining should be around $150.

All in all, after tuning and shipping this should be done for around $1000 USD with a few weekends of hard work.

I don't know when i'll start work on this. I will probably hold off my turbo install until I have everything for this as well. Then I only need to get tuned once and won't have to take off the turbo kit more times than I have to.

Critique/opinions/comments are more than welcome

Sounds like a sweet project!

Where did you hear those getrags were bullet proof? I think you'll about double the torque rating....

Best of luck, you may need it.

Wish you luck. Only Transverse Manual I've heard of surviving a FI'd 3800 is in Fiero's.

I dont think I'de go so far as to call the 282 Bulletproof. The only reason Fieros are gettin away with them is they weigh like 1500lbs. It wont be long before your picking up pieces of that trans as well.

Also do you believe in yourself enough to be able to shift fast enough and get the most out of every 1/4 mile run?

There is a reason why no manual trans has ever stood up to a turbo setup but gl bro...

I'm not doing this swap for track purposes, I know the car would be faster as an automatic. I'm doing it to be unique and to have more fun driving the car.

Early 90's TGP's have this same transmission and their is a local one here that has 400whp with his stock trans. Stronger clutch but no trans work. No problems. They don't weigh much less than ours.

The F40 (6 speed manual) is also going in Jordan's TGP that puts out 600+ whp. The manual transmissions can take abuse.

Does anyone have proof of someone putting the 282 or 284 in a GP and it blew? Or is it just everyone SAYS it won't stand up to the weight and just not tried?

The weakest part of this will be the axles I think, not the transmission.

I honestly wouldn't bother. It will be a cool project, but just drive the other car as a beater and keep the miles off of your car.

mayne fo sho do dat.

(from the PM)

Go for a race ready trans! Might be more effective in the long run plus you'll have the backing of the company with a warranty.

also 2000$ more than what he would spend on this.

OK, maybe bullitproof is the wrong word but I don't have any doubts that I will be able to get this 282 reliable with 400whp. It MAY need strenghtened parts down the road (IF I drive it hard) but so does the 4t65. If you drive it responsibly and don't launch the car there should be no issues.

I'm not nor ever going to spend $3000 on a rebuilt "race ready" trans. Warranties are a joke because if you take it to the track, warranty void. It's a hasstle to get a warranty replacement on a trans.

I want the GP to be enjoyable to drive and unique. Right now, it's not really unique and only semi enjoyable to drive.

The 282/284 swap is not as difficult as many think and is the reason why I'm now deciding to do it. No custom brackets are needed and no custom axles (which is why NoahJ was having problems with his F40 swap). The most time consuming part of the swap is the interior. The dash needs to come out to access the pedals and fit the shifter among other things. Brake booster gets replaced with the one from the 89 as it is smaller. Can be done with no welder, no air tools and no lift. Just need some jack stands, trans jack, a socket set with extensions, a drill and a few other things. Of course, having power tools and access to a lift would be easier. I do have air tools and a garage but not a lift.

I honestly figured there would be more support and excitement about the swap. To see something new and unique done. You all have nothing to lose, it's not your car :p

Chris beat me to being the first TGP on here (and maybe some one else will to at the rate mine is going) BUT I'll be the first 5 speed on here :p

I can understand the concern and apprehension but I AM doing this swap and I am sure you all will love it in the end.

I'm still waiting on the post that shows a blown 282/284 in a 97-03 GP...

I'll see how it goes with yours... and when I have tranny issues.. I might take the plunge.

Sounds like you did the homework, I believe you could make it happen

Honestly Corey, if you can find an 88-93 Grand Prix with a 5 speed for cheap, buy it.

The swap is definitely cheaper than a rebuilt and from what I have seen you don't mind the work. It can be done in 3 days of hard work by yourself I would say.

Leave atleast a day for interior work because looking at what needs to be done I would say that is the time consuming part.

i think thats pretty cool. make it rwd too and it'll be sick

thats awesome man good luck! make sure you do a write up!

Good luck. I always have wished that grand prix had a manual trans as an option, so it will be cool to see how it works for you. Thats gonna be sweet when you are done.

RS I can't wait to see how it turns out. I do like the fact that even though it will be slower you will be Unique and it will def be a lot more fun to drive:D

be slower, he will have enough psi behind that to still blow the doors of of some whips lol, well you wanted to be the first 5 spd on here, well im gonna keep your parts, and hopefuly someone else beats ya 2 it lol just messen lol

Haha, thanks Andrew. OK, the parts are all yours! Now you just gotta find a turbo to put them on

Making it RWD is A LOT of work. Not anything I will be doing any time soon. 99.9% sure I never will. The reason i'm doing this swap is because it's relatively easy for something as complex as changing an auto to a manual. If I used the F40 I would have better results but it is much more work and more custom parts are needed.

Yes, the car would be a bit faster with an automatic but not anything that drastic.

I hope to run about 18 psi as a DD so this will be no slouch by any means.

i could use all but the blanket, i thought about using your header wrap but im not that kinda guy so i will wait and just buy some of my own

Yep RWD is major fabrication and requires a great understanding of suspension geometry etc. Personally I think it would be easier to just use a tube chassis with GP body panels if you want a RWD GP.

Good luck man! 5 speed would be awesome. Maybe you could make paddle shifters.

agreed, then you might as well drop a sbc in while your at it

Why stop at an SBC? If it's gonna be tubed go big or go home

ahh you can make just as much power with a sbc as you can with some bigblocks, so yeah might as well do a full tub as well

I honestly don't think it will be too much slower. Once you get the feel for it, you can be just as good/better than the automatic.

I don't care about ET, traps are what I am going for. I could run 15 seconds all night if i trap at 110+ and still be happy.

Well, drove about 4 hours to go get this car and bring it home. $80 later in gas in my uncles Hemi Ram pulling a fullsize float. It sucks back the fuel like it's going out of style!

OHH what a GEM this 89 Prix is lol. Digital dash, power windows, sunroof, everything. Almost feel bad parting it out when it runs so great and I got it for so cheap...I kind of want to keep it for a winter beater.

BUT

I'll be making money off it and get all the parts that would have cost me $600+ anywhere else. Pretty much brand new Blizzak tires on the rear. Perfectly running engine but it has a short in the battery so has to be boosted to start. Brand new alternator, it's in great shape. Interior is mint for now...

It's late so i'll get some pictures tomorrow.

so your given me this car so i can make it into a turbo prix ?

I'm telling you man. It would be a perfect beater.

Back from the dead.

Corey, I think you can see the future. I am going to be putting this car on the road and driving it for this summer and winter so if something goes wrong with the new motor I am building I do not have to borrow someone else's.

The car is mint aside from the rear quarter panel and paint. I will fix the quarter panel and I'm going to paint the car rattle can flat black. The frame has no rust and the engine is fine.

Next summer I will look for a newer car thats good on gas since I think I will be commuting to school every day and I will start the 5 speed swap then.

It sounds like you have the project figured out and I hope it workes out for you ,I won't mention the pitfalls as you've probably figured them out ,I'll just wish you good luck with the project,Snap I didn't realize this was a resurected post ,so how goes the battle?

once your done with yours do mine

lol, there you go man. It sounds like you made a good choice.

It should be fun to drive. Tho I do I miss driving my Turbo GTP, a decently fast car. You don't appreciate or realize how much power your car really has until you drive a really slow one. I have been driving my mom's GP with a 3.1. wow......