Step by Step Getrag 5-speed Installation

[Dale .D]

Eh everyone.I've ordered the fully converted getrag 5 speed & clutch kit from OGTS.I was wondering if there's a step by step instalation guide out there. Searched the threads but couldn't find any.Not terribly mechanically inclined so I need all the help I can get if I do it myself.Planning on lightening the flywheel to around 17 lbs. Also how high do I need to have the car off the ground.I've done the sprint thing ported intake etc as well I'm in the process of changing to an electric fuel pump.That's about the extent of my abilities.Thanks for any input.

[BQS4]

The install, especially if all the modifying is done, is no different than a 4-speed install, with a new clutch. The only hint/help I can offer, especially if you're doing this by yourself, like I did, is to unbolt your intake/exhaust manifolds, and undo the upper and lower radiator hoses and jack up the front of the motor (you want the back of the motor to tilt down, thus giving more room/access to installing the trans) The 5-spd has the bellhousing and case of the trans as one piece and a bit more difficult to install than a 4-spd.

[gvy]

Hi,

I find it easier to mount the motor + getrag together.

I have done it from above and I ve done it from beneat the car.
It is easier to mount the engine+ getrag from the underside.

The problem to install the getrag with the engine already in the car, is that it is nearly impossible to fix the upper bolts.

Geert

[markandson]

I agree, unless you have a ton of tools with all kinds of extensions and wobble drives you are going to have one heck of a time not only getting the assembly back in the car but also getting the input shaft of the getrag into the engine. It would be much easier in the long run to drop the engine down to the floor. You don't have to take the motor out from under the car, just get the body up about 20" off the floor and you should be able to slide the tranny under the car on a creeper and then bolt it up.

[jmbinjax]

I did the conversion from OGTS myself about two years ago. It's pretty straight forward. Similar to comment #2, jacking the front of the engine is a must. I disconnected the throttle linkage only. I personally would rather do the exchange without removing the engine, but that's just me. A swivel 15mm socket and long extension or a universal joint with the 15mm socket is all you need to get the top two bolts. I didn't originally have the front of the engine jacked up and was only using a floor jack to try to install the trans. I got frustrated and once I jacked the front of the engine up I man handled the trans into place pretty easily - the trans is not that heavy and the jack was being used to hold up the engine. I didn't remove any of the exhaust either, but that might depend on what kind of exhaust you have - mine was just stock manifold and downpipe at the time.

[First opel 1981]

I have to ask the question to anyone who prefers to not drop the engine down. The question is, have you ever tried it?
I was scared the first time I dropped an engine down but found that after the first time, just like sex, it was easier each time.
I would never, ever, consider pulling an engine up. Nor would I EVER try to separate the engine and tranny with the engine in the car. It is so simple to do a tranny pull with the engine dropped down.
Really, it is almost easier to drop the engine down than to try to get the top bolts between the engine and trans with the engine in. The only hard part is getting the center bolts out when you disconnect the intake/exhaust manifold but if you have the right 15mm wrench, even that is a piece of cake.

[CDN OpelNut]

Dale - You will want to find out if OGTS sent you the correct bracket - I did not get one with my order. See this post...

Getrag Bracket

[Gary]

Be careful when you tilt the engine as the fan may get too close and damage the radiator.

[guyopel]

To add to what Gary said , I add a piece of cardboard to the Rad. in front of the fan to keep the fan from damaging the Rad. core . HTH
John

[Mike Preble]

One secret they told me to do, and it makes it so easy, was not mount the clutch to the flywheel but to slide the pressure plate and disk on to the tranny's input shaft. Then lift the tranny up to the back of engine. Mount the bellhousing up to the back of the engine. Then, using the access opening at the bottom of the bellhousing, mount the clutch to the flywheel.

Good luck with the conversion as it does make a difference at highway speed. I have a Rallye rearend with 3.67 gears. Dropped the engine speed down to around the same as cars with 3.44 gears.

Mike

[Dale .D]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble One secret they told me to do, and it makes it so easy, was not mount the clutch to the flywheel but to slide the pressure plate and disk on to the tranny's input shaft. Then lift the tranny up to the back of engine. Mount the bellhousing up to the back of the engine. Then, using the access opening at the bottom of the bellhousing, mount the clutch to the flywheel. Good luck with the conversion as it does make a difference at highway speed. I have a Rallye rearend with 3.67 gears. Dropped the engine speed down to around the same as cars with 3.44 gears. Mike

Thanks Mike for you Ideas.Looking forward to not have to rev so high just to go highway speeds.Doesn't look that anyone has really put a step by step proven wat to do this with the engine in the car stock.Get enough Ideas together & maybe we can do this.Pictures to would be great.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble Good luck with the conversion as it does make a difference at highway speed. I have a Rallye rearend with 3.67 gears. Dropped the engine speed down to around the same as cars with 3.44 gears. Mike

Even more than that, it will make your 3.67 into a 2.95 final drive. Very significant reduction!

[markandson]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble One secret they told me to do, and it makes it so easy, was not mount the clutch to the flywheel but to slide the pressure plate and disk on to the tranny's input shaft. Then lift the tranny up to the back of engine. Mount the bellhousing up to the back of the engine. Then, using the access opening at the bottom of the bellhousing, mount the clutch to the flywheel.Mike

The only problem with doing this would be if you can't get on the bolts with a torque wrench to get them installed properly

[First opel 1981]

OK, so if I want to get a getrag 5 speed for my Opel GT, what car would I pull one from?

I'm heading to the U-pull-it tomorrow and figure I could scope one out.


Thanks

[opelwasp]

They come out of Opel Zafira's and Opel Omegas, good luck on finding one here in the states.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by opelwasp They come out of Opel Zafira's and Opel Omegas, good luck on finding one here in the states.

The Getrag 240, that we use to convert our Opels are out of the Manta B series and Opel Rekords, I'm not sure of the series on the Rekords, but, most are in the mid 80's model year. The plate you have to modify, which holds the shifter ball-and-socket, is longer on the Rekords, as they're a bigger car than the Manta B, but, it can be modified the same way. But, either model was not imported to the US. Your best bet on finding a getrag 240 here is through Gil at OGTS or the German Ebay.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by BQS4 I'm not sure of the series on the Rekords, but, most are in the mid 80's model year.

For posterity Gene, it was the Rekord 'E' chassis.

[jeff denton]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble One secret they told me to do, and it makes it so easy, was not mount the clutch to the flywheel but to slide the pressure plate and disk on to the tranny's input shaft. Then lift the tranny up to the back of engine. Mount the bellhousing up to the back of the engine. Then, using the access opening at the bottom of the bellhousing, mount the clutch to the flywheel. Mike

This is the trick, all right. Once you do it this way you'll never go back to the old way. Couldn't say I've done it with a Getrag setup, but my stock bellhousing has a (custom by holesaw) perfectly placed opening in it that makes this possible. Yeah, just like on a big truck. That's how it's done.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by RallyBob For posterity Gene, it was the Rekord 'E' chassis.

Thank you Sir I wasn't sure of the model series of the Rekord

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by BQS4 The Getrag 240, that we use to convert our Opels are out of the Manta B series and Opel Rekords, I'm not sure of the series on the Rekords, but, most are in the mid 80's model year. The plate you have to modify, which holds the shifter ball-and-socket, is longer on the Rekords, as they're a bigger car than the Manta B, but, it can be modified the same way. But, either model was not imported to the US. Your best bet on finding a getrag 240 here is through Gil at OGTS or the German Ebay.

OK, doesn't sound like I'm going to find one in a wrecking yard but another question you might know the answer to.
Back in the 80's it was rumored that the Chev Vega trans would connect to the Opel bellhousing and there were some 5 speed vega transmissions.

Any idea if the urban legend is true at all?

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 OK, doesn't sound like I'm going to find one in a wrecking yard but another question you might know the answer to. Back in the 80's it was rumored that the Chev Vega trans would connect to the Opel bellhousing and there were some 5 speed vega transmissions. Any idea if the urban legend is true at all?

Early 4-speed Vegas were Opel trannys, from 6-cylinder Opels in fact. But the 5-speeds are not related at all, so no direct hook up.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 OK, doesn't sound like I'm going to find one in a wrecking yard ...

There are a number of threads in this Forum relating to fitting other more common 5-speed transmissions. None are bolt-up conversions, but neither is a Getrag 240. Have a look around, especially relating to the Chevette 5-speed tranny. HTH

[Dale .D]

Originally Posted by kwilford There are a number of threads in this Forum relating to fitting other more common 5-speed transmissions. None are bolt-up conversions, but neither is a Getrag 240. Have a look around, especially relating to the Chevette 5-speed tranny. HTH

Getting back to the original thread.Does OGTS send much how to stuff when you order the converted getrag & clutch kit?

[markandson]

Originally Posted by Dale .D Getting back to the original thread.Does OGTS send much how to stuff when you order the converted getrag & clutch kit?

Each time I have ordered stuff from Gil the backup paperwork has been better and better. I am sure you will get some help along with the kit. It is not as daunting a task as it may seem.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by Dale .D Getting back to the original thread.Does OGTS send much how to stuff when you order the converted getrag & clutch kit?

What you'll get from Gil is the complete instructions to do the swap. If you order the trans kit with all the mods done, then all you do is pull out your 4-spd, and replace it with the 5-spd stuff. If you have the w1062 speedo you're ready to go.