I've never had to change a torque converter, I have a good understanding on what needs to be done, and how to do it correctly, but still kinda nervous about doing it myself. I'd rather do it myself than pay someone to do it ya know. I really like to understand exactly what I'm doing before I get my hands dirty. Are there any instructions on the net on how to do this? Thanks for any help or advice that you could offer.

 

modernmusclecars.net this is the site i used. it is step by step

 

+1 to that modernusclecars.net tutorial, that has a lot of good info

1) If using jackstands make sure you get the car high enough so you can get your extensions up to get at that top bellhousing bolt

2) Take your time and don't rush anything

3) Don't lose those stupid e clips that hold in the transmission cooler lines

 

+1 on the stupid e clips, I honeslty think that was the hardest thing about the swap was those stupid clips and im pretty sure you have the good year for the torque converter bolts so i dont think you have to worry too much about stripping them but you might wanna heat them up first so you can break through the loctite easier.If you need any help just post it up on here, goodluck with it and be sure to get a trans cooler also

 

no problems breaking the converter bolts loose. i held the main crank pulley with a socket and hilton popped them loose. easy as cake. no heat required.

 

well i stripped mine so thats why i say that and then i had to weld a standard bolt to it and get it out,ended up being a real bitch and i also had the stupid torx bolts

 

i had hex centers and bolt heads. so we just used a socket.

 

You might even want to go to the dealer and pick up 2 more of those "e" clips just in case you lose them when taking them off or they break. They tend to like to fly when you remove them and they can be hard to find because they are so small.

 

Honestly, man. It's worth it to pay someone if you can sit in on it and watch/help out. And those top bolts are a royal pain in the *** if you don't have a lift.

 

I did mine in a 1 car garage on jackstands with a friend and we did it in about 10 hours. It is kind of pain to get to the top bolts but its far from impossible. Just have lots of extensions and patience and its not that bad. If you are mechanically inclined at all do it yourself and save the money. Just take your time and don't get frustrated if you hit a small snag somewhere (probably the e clips)

 

i agree i did mine on the garage floor and it really wasnt that bad,besides stripping torque converter bolts..its also good to kinda take pride in your work and be like hell yeah i just did that myself and saved 300 or 400 bucks, and the dealers wont sell the e-clips you have to buy the whole housing where the trans lines connects...believe me ive been through it

 

Swaping stall is a pita if you don't have access to a lift. I recently had my new Vigilante installed by my trans builder/friend, and it took just under 45 minutes including shooting the **** and all... so, it helps a whole lot with a lift and ofcourse someone who knows what they're doing. Good luck.

 

45 minute converter install????