I have an 89 gtu 5speed original with a running engine, but I'd like to replace it with a lower mileage engine. I was wondering what would I have to do to use an s5 13b engine from an automatic. Do I just attach the 5 speed tranny and I'll be good to go? Or do I have to do some other stuff like wiring etc? Basically I just wanna replace my old engine with a better one. I have all parts and accessories from the 89 gtu.

 

Lower mileage doesn't necessarily equate to being better. Have you done compression checks on either engine?

 

Yea everything checks out good. But this is just for future reference for me because I've seen some automatic 13b engine around my area that runs good and in good condition for a good price.

I was just wondering if it is as simple as it sounds. Swap out tranny, drop in engine + tranny, plug the harnesses in and you're all done or does it involve other work.

 

You need to either remove the Auto trans flex plate and run a stock flywheel or get an aftermarket light flywheel to get it to work.
I'm not 100% on the wiring but I do know that the s5 Trans had a vacuum solenoid(for the trans) near the Passenger side,by the air box.For that fact I won't say if the wiring is the same.

To get around this though,without further research,you could just use the old harness on the old engine and hook up everything that needs to get hooked up (Leaving the Auto car harness back on the Auto car)

 

You are confusing me. So you're saying there is a difference between 13B blocks mated to an automatic Trans vs. a Manual trans?

I would think the only difference between the block out of an auto trans car and the block out of a manual is the pilot bearing in the manual. So there is something different about wankle vs. piston engines in this case?

 

You are confusing Yourself.But you raise a good point as the Pilot bearing IS required to go into the Eccentric shaft as the Auto engine would not have had one in the end of the shaft as it had no use for it.
The rear iron is the Same.
A Manual transmission'd engine NEEDS the pilot bearing as the input shaft for the trans actually goes into contact with the eccentric shaft.With the automatic the input shaft would have gone just to the torque converter.

An Automatic Engine has a Flex-plate and torque converter...attached to a counterweight at the rear of the engine.
The Manual has a Flywheel and clutch and pressure plate..the "counterweight" is BUILT IN to the Flywheel.

(and if you run an aftermarket Light flywheel you need the Counterweight)

* by the way, it's WANKEL.You confused me with wankle...isn't that a white ankle?..Like Kankle(she's so fat she had Kankles?)..??

 

Thanks for the information guys! I asked because I'm thinking about picking up an automatic 13b and dropping it into my car since my current engine is sitting at 205k. I only need it to run for awhile until I can drop in an s5 turbo engine, which I won't be doing until I actually have the funds.

I've seen a few automatic 13b in good condition going for 300-400 around here. Since my car is already a 5 speed, I wanted to see what I'd need to do to drop one in with a 5 speed transmission.

 

LOL Thank you for the correction.

Wankel/Kankel It's a box of magic