just got a auto to manual convesion Options

[Zimluura]

so i just got a auto to manual convesion...also got some polyurethane motor mounts (front and back), a short ram intake (because my old air intake had a crack in the hose), and a stage2 clutch (at least i think he said stage 2).

anyways on a few counts i was hoping for things to be a little more pleasant. the increased engine vibration from the motor mounts isn't so bad (my previous motor mounts were shredded).

but when i drive at 70mph in 5th gear i'm doing 3200rpm is that normal for the s54 transmission?

i seem to recall reading that getting a different gear for 5th could be a good idea, what are people's opinions on that? and can 5th gear be replaced without dropping the transmission out of the car?

is it likely that the short air ram is the primary culprit with the engine being much louder?

thanks in advance.

[richee3]

The S54 does usually pull pretty high RPM's. That's normal. My SRI made my 5S louder as well, no worries there. Shouldn't be MUCH louder though, you should be able to tell the difference between the intake noise and engine noise. As for swapping gears, some like the idea, I personally think it's a lot of work for little gains. You're still getting around 30 mpg with the S54.

[199celica]

You have to drop the trans and press the gear set out. Well thats what i had to do with my 350 so probably the same deal there bud

[Zimluura]

thanks richee3, thanks 199celica.

my mechanic said he thought maybe the 5th gear could come off without dropping it. but i had the transmission rebuilt just before it was put in, so, at the moment my wallet sorta hurts.

a few other things
1) i notice some burnt clutch smell when i'm starting up hill. is his just a clutch break in period? or am i doing something very wrong?

2) i also idle at about 800rpm and there is lots of shaking. but when the engine is about 1000rpm there is no shaking. is it advisable or even possible to tweak the idle rpm up a little?

[richee3]

Seems like I recently read a post from stephen_lee about being able to swap 5th gear out without dropping the tranny.

Edit: found the quote.

you can swap ONLY the 5th gear.
which will NOT require pulling the trans out


Basically it should be:
remove driver wheel
drain fluid
remove 5th gear cover
remove 5th gea (will need a gear.pulley puller)
install s51 5th gear
reinstall cover
add fluid
install wheel

This post has been edited by richee3: Feb 18, 2012 - 2:20 PM

[Zimluura]

thanks! i may do that in a bit.

any idea on the clutch smell?
i never smell clutch in my tacoma, but i got that at 87k miles and have never driven with a new+performance clutch before.

[mkernz22]

The break in period just means that you should be going pretty easy on the clutch, no hard shifting, launching, etc. As for the burning clutch smell, you must be driving wrong. Don't take it in a bad way, but I also can't see how you drive. If you've been driving stick long enough, you shouldn't be burning clutch on a small hill. Maybe a big one, but very minimal

[Zimluura]

bummer
i'll try less engine revs at hills.