How long does it take to install a converter?
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
How long does it take to install a converter? Just wondering how long it takes to swap out converters on an A4. I have a 98 Z28 and am planning on installing a Fuddle 3500. What tools will I need and how long should I plan on it taking? I will be doing this in a garage with jacks. Thanks.
3 hours start to finish. Make sure the car is cool. Need some long extensions and metric sockets and metric wrenches. You will need help getting the tranny back in. Not hard at all to do.
If it's your first time don't tell your wife you'll be done in three hours 
It is doable in that but if you've never had your tranny out or taken one out of these cars it will take a couple tries before you can do it that fast. Keep a 13mm and a 15mm handy!! 
It is doable in that but if you've never had your tranny out or taken one out of these cars it will take a couple tries before you can do it that fast. Keep a 13mm and a 15mm handy!! Ditto on Annie..Z. First time always the longest. My buddy and I have it down pretty damn good now, under 2hrs. Hang up's:
-Top Transmission housing bolt, it'll **** you off sometimes.
-Trans cooler lines, we use a curved pick to grab the clip-rotate-and remove with a magnet to make sure it doesnt fly wayside.
Everything else is pretty much straight forward. Might want to remember to ensure the vent tube does not get pinched/ or trapped inside the TA Bushing. If it does it will make the trans puke fluid...learned this one the hard way
Lots of long extensions, wobble and maybe one universal. And rather than fighting the TC bolts, remove the starter, use a longass extension and break the bolts loose from the starter hole
-Top Transmission housing bolt, it'll **** you off sometimes.
-Trans cooler lines, we use a curved pick to grab the clip-rotate-and remove with a magnet to make sure it doesnt fly wayside.
Everything else is pretty much straight forward. Might want to remember to ensure the vent tube does not get pinched/ or trapped inside the TA Bushing. If it does it will make the trans puke fluid...learned this one the hard way
Lots of long extensions, wobble and maybe one universal. And rather than fighting the TC bolts, remove the starter, use a longass extension and break the bolts loose from the starter hole
Originally Posted by BigBlockChev572
Took me about 8 hours, first time, all by myself, no help whatsover except holdin the tranny as I lowered/raised it.
Philip S.
Philip S.
maybe if your a mechanic or have done it already but for the first time I would leave at least a full day open. It's not hard, just time consuming, at least for the first time. Now that I think of it, if I would of used a tranny jack it might not have taken so long. I did it by hand and I don't recommend it. Not only was it dangerous but it added a lot of time trying to manuver it and down time resting. I would still give yourself a day to be safe and get a tranny jack and some long extensions. A 2-way swivel will really help too. I'm not sure what its actually called but it allows the socket to work at an angle. Good luck.This will help a lot too. http://modernmusclecars.net/forums/a...p?do=tcinstall
Last edited by rufretic; Sep 27, 2005 at 09:20 PM.
sometimes the bolts holding the converter on are really stuck, so like stated remove the starter and make sure you can loosen them first before you take it all apart. I'd say 5hours first time. Make sure you get the converter on all the way to.
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I can do it by myself in about 4 hours. I've pulled transmissions out 10+ time in the last couple years so it is pretty routine now. The first time took me 6-7 hours. If your pulling the stock converter you need an 8mm allen socket.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: USA
Will be doing it soon as well. I am going to try and use the lift at work but the new service manager is a ***** so, might be in my garage. Im not too worried. My goal is 7 hrs. My first time doing a header swap was only 3 hrs...
TJ
TJ
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Green Bay, WI
Originally Posted by Jpr5690
but really it took the shop that did mine like 2 hrs .. the install seems conceptually simple but i wouldent do it my self without a lift
I had a local shop do it and had it back the same day. Cost for my first converter in my 02 was $100, think he wanted some under the table money. Second time he charged $250 when I put in the 3400 stall and cooler(price included the install and cooler).
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Southern Indiana
make sure you get at least 2 knuckles and long extentions to get the top bolts out. you might want to think about installing a new filter while your in there and if you dont already have it a deep tranny pan with fins.
