Mixing and Matching: Engine, trans, drivetrain..

[E-CLIPS97]

As some of you may know, I recently purchased a 95 talon with no engine, transmission, transfer case, ecu, etc. As I prepare to start purchasing the missing parts, I began to wonder if the route I was taking was the proper one. Can I mix an engine from a 98, transfer case from a 97, transmission from a 95, and an ECU from a 96?

My biggest concearn is the ecu. Do I only need to match the ecu to the year of my car regardless of the year of the other parts, or does it even matter? And if anyone has better ideas of where to buy these parts besides ebay, let me know. I called all my local wrecking yards and no one has any...

 

[Talontsi150]

The mix and matching that you’re doing can work. If you want the capability of chipping the ecu, then find a 95 or 96 and go with it. But if you can’t find one, the 97,98,99 ecu will work, you just have to switch the firing order of the spark plug wires to accommodate the 97+ ecu.

Thanks,
Marc

 

[qtxdevilz]

95 trans will work but a 97 transfer case will not work...they are different...call sheptrans.com to make sure...

 

[E-CLIPS97]

95 trans will work but a 97 transfer case will not work...they are different...call sheptrans.com to make sure...

Well, officially, I dont know the years of what the engine, trans, and t-case are actually coming from. The years I listed were just representations of how each part could come from a different year. The items listed that I am shopping for on ebay dont specify a year they came from. The sellers cant seem to give me an exact which is why I wanted to know if mixed year parts will work together...

 

[qtxdevilz]

Well, officially, I dont know the years of what the engine, trans, and t-case are actually coming from. The years I listed were just representations of how each part could come from a different year. The items listed that I am shopping for on ebay dont specify a year they came from. The sellers cant seem to give me an exact which is why I wanted to know if mixed year parts will work together...

assuming that you still have the rear end in your car...and your car was a manual...only a 95 trans and 95 transfer case will work...maybe an early 96...but that is all...after that the splines changed...

 

[PRESSURIZED]

assuming that you still have the rear end in your car...and your car was a manual...only a 95 trans and 95 transfer case will work...maybe an early 96...but that is all...after that the splines changed...

Actually, it WILL work. However, it is not "supposed" to be done. I have a 95 GSX with a 99 Trans and a 95 Transfer case and a 95 Rear-end. I was not aware that this is not "supposed" to work. I have been running it like this for a while now (ever since my 99 xfer case exploded)

I did however pick up another 99 Xfer case to install, but i've been to busy to install it. No problems so far and have put like 2k miles in it so far.

 

[E-CLIPS97]

assuming that you still have the rear end in your car...and your car was a manual...only a 95 trans and 95 transfer case will work...maybe an early 96...but that is all...after that the splines changed...

I have an automatic, and yes it still has the original 95 4 bolt rear end.

 

[bfdahl]

So, your car is or has an Auto trans? If that is the case then you must use matching automatic parts for sure, the rear diff had two gear ratios optional, one for 5sp and one for auto cars, and the transfer case and trans must match.

If you put a 5sp in an automatic car you must change the rear diff too! and viceversa

to my knowledge the transfer case splines only changed in 92-93 DSMs, so 93 and up it all the same

I rebuilt my 93 trans and I used many parts from 95 to 99 trannys, they will all fit internally.

 

[E-CLIPS97]

The mix and matching that you’re doing can work. If you want the capability of chipping the ecu, then find a 95 or 96 and go with it. But if you can’t find one, the 97,98,99 ecu will work, you just have to switch the firing order of the spark plug wires to accommodate the 97+ ecu.

Thanks,
Marc

Do you know how I go about finding the firing order sequence for the different ecu's and how I would adjust whatever it is I need to adjust to make it work?

 

[qtxdevilz]

Actually, it WILL work. However, it is not "supposed" to be done. I have a 95 GSX with a 99 Trans and a 95 Transfer case and a 95 Rear-end. I was not aware that this is not "supposed" to work. I have been running it like this for a while now (ever since my 99 xfer case exploded)

I did however pick up another 99 Xfer case to install, but i've been to busy to install it. No problems so far and have put like 2k miles in it so far.

i am not going to sit here and argue with you...you can suppose this and suppose that...but if you do your research...the 97-99s have an extra spline/tooth...the rears ends are all the same from 95-99...i am positive about this because 1. i just blew my rear end up and did alot of research 2. my buddy who works for mitsu parts confirmed this...

i will try to dig up the thread and post it here...or you can just call your local mitsu dealer and confirm this for yourself......

 

[qtxdevilz]

I have an automatic, and yes it still has the original 95 4 bolt rear end.

if you decide to keep it auto with an auto trans...you will need an auto transfer case...i have one available if you need it...

if you switch it to manual you will need the manual trans, transfer case that matches the trans...and any year manual 2g rear end...just remember to get the matching axles with your rear end...

 

[qtxdevilz]

Actually, it WILL work. However, it is not "supposed" to be done. I have a 95 GSX with a 99 Trans and a 95 Transfer case and a 95 Rear-end. I was not aware that this is not "supposed" to work. I have been running it like this for a while now (ever since my 99 xfer case exploded)

I did however pick up another 99 Xfer case to install, but i've been to busy to install it. No problems so far and have put like 2k miles in it so far.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220848&highlight=transfer+case

third post down...i am sure i can find more posts about it if i search...but anyways...have fun blowing up your drivetrain...

 

[E-CLIPS97]

As far as the transfer case and transmission go, I already picked them up. I cant confirm what year they were from other than "95-99", but I do know that they came from the same vehicle, so there shouldnt be any issues with them working regardless of the fact that I have a 95.....right?

 

[qtxdevilz]

As far as the transfer case and transmission go, I already picked them up. I cant confirm what year they were from other than "95-99", but I do know that they came from the same vehicle, so there shouldnt be any issues with them working regardless of the fact that I have a 95.....right?

if it is from the same car then no it would not matter...did you get it from a junkyard...if so go back and get the rear end with the matching axles also...but like i said in my previous posts...any rear end out of a 2g manual will work...

 

[E-CLIPS97]

Will an engine from a FWD properly fit and work with AWD components? I am still working on the build and slowly obtaining parts. The car is AWD but I can get a good deal on an engine from a FWD.....Will it work?

 

[hopwoodp]

Change out the flywheel and starter to awd and it will work.

 

[E-CLIPS97]

What changes/modifications if any, would need to be made if I were to pick up an engine that was from a 5 speed vehicle and was FWD?

 

[hopwoodp]

Put the proper torque plate on(instead of flywheel). If the motor is a 6 bolt. then get a 6 bolt torque plate, it it is a 7 bolt, then get a 7 bolt torque plate. Just discard the flywheel and clutch (sell them or save them - its up to you).

You got to understand that the only thing that make this motor different is the flywheel and the starter. The clutch will be the same no matter what year or model the motor is. Since you are running automatic, you would just used you own 7 bolt setup if you are running that kind of motor, but if it is a 6 bolt, that is when you got to change things.