Reality check on 5spd swap/linkage

[ainadude]

Bought my 91 coupe from a shop in Reseda, CA. Car was originally an auto; shop owner did a 5spd swap. Linkage is horribly sloppy -- owner claims that's because mounting points are different between the two transmission setups. I smell bullshit but thought I'd check with the experts. Car runs great otherwise. Linkage is fine up and back. Crazy sloppy laterally, tho -- shifter slightly contacts trim surround piece when I go into reverse.

Really like the car but shift linkage is the last major functional issue keeping me truly enjoying having an e30 again. My previous e30 came with a 5spd from the factory and linkage was fine.

[e30austin]

There are minor differences, between early and late model transmissions, but that doesn't make a difference how any of it bolts up.

My guess is, whoever did the job, didn't change any of the bushings or the joint on the back of the trans.

[ForcedFirebird]

...or they used an early shifter plate that always has slop, even when new, and is horrible once worn...

[wworm]

...or they used an early shifter plate that always has slop, even when new, and is horrible once worn...

can confirm plate style shifter being awful. Trying to make it better this week and feeling like it's just not going to be good. Don't have the tabs to convert it to late style either.

[ForcedFirebird]

can confirm plate style shifter being awful. Trying to make it better this week and feeling like it's just not going to be good. Don't have the tabs to convert it to late style either.

I have seen many times where people use the flywheel backing plate cut in two pieces and bent to hold the shifter. Been a long time since I have seen one of those threads here, but probably could find it in a search.

[e30austin]

Change the shift joint, on the back of the trans, with a new one, from the dealer, and they are definitely tolerable. Not my favorite setup, at all, but it is what it is.

If only, someone made a similar bracket, like BMW did on the E30 M3, to accept the later style, aluminum, shift carrier - but for a Getrag 260...

[ainadude]

There are minor differences, between early and late model transmissions, but that doesn't make a difference how any of it bolts up.

My guess is, whoever did the job, didn't change any of the bushings or the joint on the back of the trans.

Can those components you reference be changed from inside the passenger compartment or does tranny need to be dropped?

[ForcedFirebird]

Can those components you reference be changed from inside the passenger compartment or does tranny need to be dropped?

Neither. You can reach around the drive shaft from underneath and change all the shift components.

[ainadude]

Neither. You can reach around the drive shaft from underneath and change all the shift components.

Gotcha. Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

[ForcedFirebird]

Gotcha. Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

Same! Got a new laptop from one of the kids, and you can guess the first site visited once setup :p

[ainadude]

Score! Enjoy the day! :-)