How hard is it to make a standard an automatic?

Question

I want to find out how hard it will be to make a Chey S10 straight4 standard 5 speed to an automatic.

Answer 1

First, you should see if that model year S10 was offered with automatic transmission. If it never was, there's a reason for that. Check with a Chevy mechanic to see why.

Next, an automatic tranny requires some connections to the radiator that won't be there for a manual tranny. The hydraulic fluid in the torque converter needs to be cooled.

Next, you will need to cobble up the shift linkage. The auto tranny needs to know things like engine RPM and vacuum so that it will upshift with increasing vehicle speed and downshift when you accelerate quickly. With a manual tranny, all of this is controlled by the driver.

Finally, a straight 4 is a bit underpowered. An auto tranny will NOT help that. If anything, there will be less power available. Are you sure that this will be a benefit for some reason? You might consider the cost-benefit to buying a mini-truck that already HAS an automatic transmission rather than a retrofit for S10's that are not made any more. It's NOT going to increase the value of the vehicle.

Answer 2

In order to do this you need to know what is differetn between a stick and an automatic. So just to reassure you that this is a big project, you'll need to buy a new brake pedal and throttle as those are different.
You will need to add a console or change the steering column for the automatic shifter lever.
The transmission will fit the engine but the fly wheel needs to be changed as does the starter. The flywheel is different between an auto and stick. You will need to buy an auxilary transmission cooler since your radiator doesn't have one. If there are any computer controlled functions, like gear shift, etc you will need to buy a new Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or reprogram the old one.
The driveshaft will need to be changed and the cross member that holds the transmssion will be different. The speedo cable will change so your speedo works.
I've done swaps back and forth, they are costly and time consuming. You got good advice from a number of folks who are sterring you straight, if you want a car equipped with an automatic, buy one that way.

Answer 3

on a similar time as you're talking some front wheel stress motor vehicle, that grew to become into available with a instruction manual, it rather is ordinary. Get the right trans stress axles, shift cabled and shifter from a solid wrecking outdoor. In stall all. you as properly to might ought to hold a take carry of pedal and cable, or take carry of hold close cylinder. on a similar time as you're talking some rear wheel stress motor vehicle, it rather is an entire different animal. the 1st subject is the rear end kit ratio. Automatics have a a lot shrink numerically kit ratio. you should use this, inspite of if it is going to intend short take carry of existence, via fact it rather is going to be now no longer difficulty-unfastened to get the motor vehicle shifting from a end. some thing is with connection with the comparable as above. Trans, shift linkage, take carry of pedal and a different length stress shaft.

Answer 4

You would have to have everything changed out from the engine on back. You are looking at a huge amount of money to do this. I would suggest trading your truck in on one that already has an automatic transmission.

Answer 5

Impossible. The ONLY way to change a car from a manual transmission to an automatic transmission is to CHANGE the transmission and the bolt patterns are likely different (to begin with). Even if it COULD be done, you'd have to change the rad (oil cooler is inside rad), the linkage is wrong, the tail-stock is wrong, the drive-shaft is the wrong length, and on and on...

Answer 6

i own a repair shop,and i have done it before but the cost of it is so high that you can sell one truck and buy the one you want a lot cheaper,you have to change part of the wiring harness and everything on it to make it work right,the best and only way to attempt to do this is to find a good parts truck,or a donor truck,then you might come out with enough stuff to complete it with,believe me its no easy job to do,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 7

The easy way is to sell the truck and buy one with the right transmission.

Anything else will be trouble. It isn't just the mechanicals you are looking at, there are controls too.

Answer 8

dude it's gonna cost big bucks, and totally different trannys, along with lift privilages, and lots of your pals that are experts

Answer 9

The best way is the simplest - sell one and buy the other.

Answer 10

consider all that need,s to be changed, or added........radiator,cooling line,s,flywheel,torque converter,transmission,drive shaft,rear end gear ratio,speedometer,all shifter linkage,s,dip stick tube,computer connection,s,etc............check for clearance,s....for tran,s,drive shaft,linkage,s,....interior shift selector,neutral safety switch,back up light,s.etc..........it,s a lot to think about.....is it worth it?