Need input from someone that has done Fb trans in Sa.
 

As stated. Need to know what type mod was done for the center console/shift fitment. Once the tunnel was cut was the shifter too far back for the stock shifter trim piece to even come close. If so what did you do to compensate for this?

I don't know if this helps, but can you use the center console from a FB? I personally haven't tried this yet, but I too would like to know because I am planning on putting a '81 FB motor and trans in my '80 SA.

I cant be much help I did it in an autoso i didnt have a center console to use. But going by the way it looked to me a stock center console would need to be modded or maybe look at a 81-83 shifter surround and compare to the stock SA 1 se if there is a difference. I should of taken pics of mine after i had it test fitted.

The center console from an '81-83 FB will work, I think. The surround is the same, so it should bolt and match up perfectly.

Well, I have a 83 here also and I have measured the center consoles and the lenghts are the same so I know that they will bolt in. The thing I don't know and can't determine is how far the shifter will actually sit back on the Fb. I have to cut the tunnel first and then get it in there. I did test fit the 84-85 shifter trim and it will work with some minor fitting to the SA console but leaves a small gap between the bottom of the stereo trim and the shifter trim.

Ok, the tunnell is cut and the trans is in. I cut 2 inches back from the existing marks. After it was in I had to cut approx 3/8" from the right side at an angle because of how the housing finally settled. On the transmission crossmember if you are doing this in a 79 then you need to use the existing crossmember. If it is a 80 then you can use the Fb crossmember (Trans).

I have not fitted or checked to see what the console will need to have done to make the shifter trim work yet. I will post later when I figure it out.

Is this shit on the blue SA? If its, I believe in k-a-r-m-a. lol.

Sorry Wacky, the daytona blue Sa has a reman trans in it allready.:)

This is on Kory's old Sa that he sold.

He sold the banana SA to you?

could you not find a sa tranny?

I took out a FB tranny out of a SA to put a SA tranny back in. The PO had made a trim plate out of some sheet metal that he painted black. It looked nice enough.

I can find one but the person that owns the car is very rough on shifting and the
Sa will not survive constant torture. As in the one that he just managed to not only get it stuck in 3rd gear(which can be fixed by tear down) but also broke the end of the bearing cover right off with the T/o bearing still attached to it. So It's upgrade time to the fb and a performance clutch kit.


Wacky, No Kory sold to another member that lives in this area.

Come and get my spare SA tranny tomorrow, and at the same time, I will take you to clutch builder for a good deal on any style of clutch you want. Typically, roughly $250 for a complete set inlcuding t/o bearing, pilot bearing and flywheel resurfacing.

I had him replaced the pucks on my 4-puck for $30.

Thanks for the offer Mel, but I have already installed the Fb tranny in there with a RB pressure plate and disk, and new mazda bearing.

Update for anyone that is considering doing this.

The Fb center console surrond will work but with alot of adapting. You have to punch a hole thru for the dimmer light control and use a block off plate for the opening for the power mirror controls. The console sits further out than the Sa one and you would have to make new attaching points for the console to reattach. Once you get past that then you have to modify the stereo surrond to accomodate the various switches at the bottom and of course whatever stereo you are using.
Meaning that you would be using the Fb stereo surrond. The Fb shifter cover will line right up to the shifter. That's the only positive thing.

If you went this route the only thing I can recommend is that you got a carbon fiber or other stereo surrond blank with just the heater controls punched out. Then you could custom fit as needed.

If you have a 80 Sa then i would recommend just changing out the shifter tower and shift rods to the Fb trans. You cannot do this on the 79 Sa trans.

The other option is what I gave the member that I installed the trans for. That is to modify the Fb shifter. By cutting the shifter at the stem and building a Stem that would move the throw portion more forward so that it would allow the usage of the stock shifter trim and boot.

The only other option that I discovered was that if you slightly modify the shifter trim from a 81-83 Fb it will fit in the back location of the Sa center console surrond and allow you to use the Fb shifter in it's stock form. You would however have to fabricate a piece to cover the gap inbetween the front of the shifter trim and the bottom of the stereo surrond trim.