Hey guys,
I Have a 98 1.8 sport (US) I have a 5spd man. in there now and wanted to see if anyone's toyed with trans swaps in a sport.

One reson I would like to swap is my 5 spd is starting to have the terrible 3k rpm squeal that so many have spoke of here.  This is the noise that can be "turned off" by depressing the clutch. Some sort of bearing in the trans.  I did the rear main about half a year ago and did the throw out bearing while i was in there.  This got rid of the sound for a few days, if that.
Is this also an issue in the autos?  Im looking to get a little reduction and stay away from swapping bearings constantly.

So on to the fun part.  I know that on my sport the clutch is hydrolic controlled.  Ive heard the bell housings from the 1.6 and 1.8 are the same?  So i guess my question is if it is at all p[ossible to take a 3spd auto from A NON SPORT KICK and put it into my sport.  Only looking for 3spd because of no electronic controll.  Hoping I could hold right on to the same drive sharfts and t case.  Any one have any advice on this or the actuall difference between "Sport" and older kicks trannys?
Thanks Guys- Mark

I can tell you... My setup is a 3 spd auto, and I'd rather have a 5 spd (for the taller 4th or 5th final ratios)... or a 4spd auto.

MY 3spd, is VERY limiting.

... not sure that helps you any, being it's not apples to apples. Just thought I'd speak up.

Hmm ya thanks for chiming in any thing is good to learn about the 3spd.  Like I said im more looking to avoid the bearing problem that plauges the 5spd trans (havent heard any of these complaints about autos).

I hear what your saying about the limits of the 3spd and I do a bit of road driving so the taller gears would be nice.

Any 4spd autos that dont use electronic controlling?

If it were me, I'd just replace the bearings in the tranny and it should be good for another 150K+.  Rebuilding the tranny with new bearings and synchros isn't really too hard and doesn't take any real expensive tools.  Just a bearing puller and a long pipe to tap the bearings back on some of the shafts is all.

The trannys are the same between the 1.6s and 1.8s.  So if you could find a good 1.6 tranny, you could swap on your 1.8 bellhousing and it will bolt right in.
One thing you should look for is a tranny that came from a trackick with a 1.6 16V.  The 16Vs had a .795 5th gear ratio, where the 1.6 8V trannys had a .86 5th gear ratio.

Thanks SkyHigh.

Im starting to lean toward just rebuilding the tranny now although its something I've never done. Sure I've got some buddy's who can help. 

If I could just ask again do the auto transmissions have this same problem? 

Is there any real notice in reduction by switching to a 3 spd auto?  If there is a reduction I would def consider it over rebuilding.

Anyone ? If you've been in this spot or just considering rebuilding post up your thoughts.

I don't know that I have heard of the autos having bearing problems.  But they have other things that can go wrong.  And rebuilding an auto is much more complicated and time consuming than a 5 speed.
You also generally won't get as good of MPG with an auto vs. a manual.
Yes, there is a noticeable reduction with a 3 speed auto over a 4 speed auto or a manual tranny.  Your RPMs will run about 800RPMs higher at 70MPH with a 3 speed auto in 3rd vs. a 5 speed in 5th.  Of course, you could swap in 4.62 axle gears, in place of your current 5.12s.....but how much work do you really want to go to with this auto swap?
As I said before, if it were me, I'd just rebuild the 5 speed, and enjoy 150K miles of trouble free tranny service.

Yea now that you mention the 800rmps higher thats a bit of a turn off.  Im going to be running 32's soon so i was looking for a slight reduction.  However I think the 5.12 should be pretty decent on the road judging how its currently running with 30's.  So you say a 4.62 would lower it with the 3spd. Is this true with the 5 spd as well. Ive been under the impression that to get good gearing on and off road i would be lloking for gears in the other direction? such as a 5.63

Yea now that you mention the 800rmps higher thats a bit of a turn off.  Im going to be running 32's soon so i was looking for a slight reduction.  However I think the 5.12 should be pretty decent on the road judging how its currently running with 30's.  So you say a 4.62 would lower it with the 3spd. Is this true with the 5 spd as well. Ive been under the impression that to get good gearing on and off road i would be lloking for gears in the other direction? such as a 5.63

Going with 4.62s will make the RPMs lower at all speeds (which will be good when you are running 70MPH down the road with a non-overdrive tranny (like the 3 speed auto), but will be bad when you are trying to go slow offroad (you will either be going fast, to keep the engine in its powerband, or you will be lugging the engine)).
If you end up keeping your 5 speed, then to compensate for the taller tires, you will need to run lower axle gears (like 5.38s or 5.62s).

not to hijack, but is there any write ups on manual to auto swaps?. daughter has 94 sidekick and has tried to learn how to drive a manny but is going to need an auto. thanks,Dan. oh and has the 1.6.