EA 4 speed transmission - help!

GeraldM · 21-01-2006, 11:45 AM

Can anyone please help me: Is an EA 4 speed auto transmission the same as an EB-EL 4 speed transmission (or interchangable).

Brief History:
I have a 1991 EA with 4 speed auto trans. After the car had done about 111,000km i had to have a solenoid replaced in the transmission because of sharp changes - mostly from 1st to 2nd gear (only after the car had warmed up). A couple of monthe later a tranmission bearing failed and because of the expense of a complete overhaul i had a second-hand tranmission fitted with the near new solenoid transfered to it (i don't know the mileage of the second-hand trans).

Now at 230,000km the sharp change from 1st to 2nd has started to return. The car is otherwise in pretty good condition.

Because of the unknown milleage of my existing transmission i am considering buying another second-hand one (preferably with a low mileage on it). i will be hard pressed to find a EA trans at a low mileage and would buy an EB-EL one if they are the same (or interchangable).

Thanks in advance: GeraldM

naughtyfalcon · 21-01-2006, 05:23 PM

i think all the 4 speeds are identical,,just swap them over

ilsautomotive · 21-01-2006, 09:37 PM

The late EFs and ELs don't have a dipstick; aside from that it's all much the same.

mcflux · 21-01-2006, 09:52 PM

Maybe an electronic shift kit might help? I mean, a "reverse" one which slows down shift speeds compared to a typical shift kit. I'm no electronics whiz, and such a kit might wear out your bands prematurely, but one of these kits might fix your problem for <$20 ;)

-Dave-

InitialD · 21-01-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouty

The late EFs and ELs don't have a dipstick; aside from that it's all much the same.

Correct. There is only revision changed between the EA, EB2/ED, EF/EL transmissions. "apparently" the later model box's are a little nicer then the clunky EA ones.

AshMan · 23-01-2006, 03:58 PM

Mate I'd seriously be considering swapping to the old T5.

Manuals aren't everyones cup of tea though so yea.

matt.young · 24-01-2006, 01:14 AM

is it possible to change an EA 3 speed transmission with a 4 speed? cause ive found a crack in the main casing of mine. if not what would i have to change?

matt.young · 24-01-2006, 01:49 AM

PS... would i need a 4 speed ecu as well or would the 3 speed do?

naughtyfalcon · 24-01-2006, 09:12 AM

no such thing as a four speed ecu,,you'll need the transmission control module,another trottle position sensor plus the wireing for it all.

unless most of the wires are there it would be a hell of a job.

oh by the way, the ecu and tcm are seperate units on ea's

EA2BA · 24-01-2006, 09:53 AM

I have put a 4 speed auto in place of the 3 speed auto in may car, either chop and join the looms, so add the 4 speed TCU (trans control computer) , or swap all the looms for a car with a 4 speed auto, either way its a bit of a job but not all that difficult.

I should mention you also need to make some gearbox brackets as the mount points are way different 3 speed to 4 speed as well.

Brent79 · 24-01-2006, 01:34 PM

what do u mean the mount points are different? Can u explain that a little more please?

Brent

AshMan · 24-01-2006, 03:52 PM

I have a 4 speed auto if ya want it.

Very resonable price.

EA2BA · 24-01-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent79

what do u mean the mount points are different? Can u explain that a little more please?

Brent

the 4 speed has the mount point about 3 inches further back then the 3 speed auto, have a look in my gallery you will see the extension adapters I had made to overcome the problem.