Has anyone SPECIFICALLY swapped a Z31 manual into an SE (that had an) automatic?

Hi,

I have a 5 speed out of a 86 Z31. I'd like to install it into my 88 SE auto if it doesn't require too many mods.

Problem is, I'm seeing a lot of conflicting information about what fits and what doesn't. I measured the length of the AT, 30.5 inches. And the length of the 5 speed is 35 inches.

Bear in mind that these measurements are not super accurate, but it looks as if both the shifter location AND the transmission mounts might line up. From my research, I know that the AT and MT have different mounting locations and crossmembers. Someone here said that the pieces of the  crossmembers could be swapped to make a hybrid crossmember. That might solve that part of it.

     BUT, another trusted source said that a full swap from a SE 5-speed doner didn't even mount right up.
     They had to fabricate a crossmember because the SE AT and MT chassis do not have mounting pads for both types of transmissions.

This almost looks like it might work. I read  that the bellhousings of the SE MT and the Z31 MT could be switched to decrease the length of the tranny. But that would then mean I'd have to have a custom mount fabricated?

Has anyone done this specific swap? Do I just need to have a shorter front driveshaft fabricated?

If you really have done this swap, please get in touch with me.

I'm not sure anyone has done a z31 trans but auto to manual swaps have been done here and I'm pretty sure it's the same stright froward swap. So search for auto to manual swap and see what turns up. like I said im sure it's not much different...

the drive shaft situation would be easiest if you got the front half of the z31, and bolted it to the second half of the s12.

silverton on 09:41:06 PM / 10-Dec-12the drive shaft situation would be easiest if you got the front half of the z31, and bolted it to the second half of the s12.

Colonel Gustard on 12:49:44 AM / 11-Dec-12z31's use 1 piece driveshafts buddy ;) use an s13 front driveshaft. z31 trans are the same length as s13 ones

Thanks for the info. Someone else said that (with their s13 or s14 tranny transplant, they "just" had to cut the trans tunnel a bit to allow space for the shifter. Interesting.
 
Or,

I'm now remembering that the bell housings can be swapped to shorten the length. Would this bring everything into alignment?
With that, I read here that someone had swapped pieces from the AT and MT mounts to make the new MT mount where the AT mounted.

But I would still need a front driveshaft right?

in short yes you'll need it...