Turbo transmission upgrade......

[PTT]

I have decided to upgrade the anemic diff-pin failed dead 3spd transmission in my '84 Lebaron T-1 Convertible. I plan on keeping this car so I'm leaning toward converting to a 90's mini-van transmission for the lowend gearing I have heard the van trannies have. I need to know if there is a preferred year van transmission to look for. I need to know if I should go with a new transmission pump or to swap my 84's pump/output shaft into the van's tranny and all that entails. I know I'll need 87-up larger splined axles. Someone said that 91-95 van A413's were as strong as turbo 3spd units clutchwise. I've been "involuntarily" selected to volunteer to put a few of my Lebaron and Shadow ragtops in a 4th of July Parade this year and I'd like to use the 84 Lebaron too. I'm itching to use the new engine hoist I got recently! Any thoughts very much appreciated.

[speeduphoria]

heres a link for breakdown by years
Automatic Transmission Main Page

I personally would not use any of the '84 internals, If you want to swap internals just get a 95-99 neon 3spd auto as they have the best/ same as the turbo mini(and then some) internals. Of course you would need new axles then.

[PTT]

Is there going to be a problem hooking up to the '84's 2.2L T-1 crank? Isn't it a 6-bolt as opposed to an 8-bolt (Neon?). I've had others say I need to use the '84's pump/shaft in order to be compatible with the '84 engine crank. Then there is the question of which torque converter..... I hadn't thought about the Neon tranny's but if they're stronger I'm for it! I just feel if I'm going to replace the bad transmission in the '84 then why not make it stronger and more reliable for using it as a daily driver and more than just a parade car because its a ragtop? I was recently offered a free 3spd auto tranny out of an '84 or '85 turbo Laser but its located out of state.

[DblTrbl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTT Is there going to be a problem hooking up to the '84's 2.2L T-1 crank? Isn't it a 6-bolt as opposed to an 8-bolt (Neon?). I've had others say I need to use the '84's pump/shaft in order to be compatible with the '84 engine crank. Then there is the question of which torque converter..... I hadn't thought about the Neon tranny's but if they're stronger I'm for it! I just feel if I'm going to replace the bad transmission in the '84 then why not make it stronger and more reliable for using it as a daily driver and more than just a parade car because its a ragtop? I was recently offered a free 3spd auto tranny out of an '84 or '85 turbo Laser but its located out of state.

You'll want an 87 or later turbo tranny. Any turbo minivan will be an 89 or 90, so that will be good. You will need the converter from the 87 or later, but you'll need to keep your 6 bolt flex plate (assuming it has the same 4 bolt converter configuration). Neons have good internals which can be swapped into the 87 or later trannies, but the neon case won't fit the 2.2/2.5
Most neons were lockup, so be careful not to mix lockup and non lockup converters(different splines).

Let me know if you need any parts, I may be able to help out.

[Dodgeboy77]

Hi PTT!

Look at Custom Flexplate or Universal Flexplate?
for some information that will help. I think you had the right idea in the first place. Your motor uses a three bolt torque converter and a six bolt crank. The newer motors use a four bolt TC and an eight bolt crank. You're right, you have to change the pump (or do some fancy flex plate drilling).

Bill

[DblTrbl]

I would drill it. Make sure things are centered or it will break the flex plate.

The other alternative is to have a converter shop make you a converter with the 3 bolt flex plate mounting on one side and the newer hub on the other side. If you want to go that way, NAN performance converters can do that for you.