555 in an L-Body

[SoCalCSX]

My friend grenaded his 525 last night and I have a spare 555 sitting in my backyard right now. Can I just swap it in and go with the existing axles/linkage or do they need to be swapped out?

[1984rampage]

correct me if im wrong but i think u need auto axles from a later omni. check the knowledge center for a write up

[minigts]

I think that is right and you will obviously need to cut the holes for the cables and swap out the shifters.

[SoCalCSX]

Just found the article in the KC and it pretty much answered all my questions, but for anyone else interested here it is...

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/vbarticles.php?do=article&articleid=58

[Clay]

you need a cable shifter setup from a shadow (perfered) or a daytona.

also need auto axles from 89/90 omni.

[86Shelby]

Spend a little time fabricating brackets for the shift rods. It's so worth it for the ease of shifting. I haven't seen one cable shifted L-body that doesn't put your knuckles in the map light in every gear but 2nd and 4th. I don't know about you guys but I hate having to lean forward to shift.

[minigts]

Can you not move the shifter back if the cables are long enough? I also recommend the rod shifter, but just curious.

Oh and Turbo224 did a write up on making the heim rod setup for a 555.

[turbojerk]

Here's a ref. pic if you want to do rod shift...

http://a388.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_fdd71340200cf380f92cb16bf2b70363.jpg

[tryingbe]

I'm not interested in rod shifting, but I am interested on that bubble strut mount bracket.

[Clay]

cable shift is definately the easier way to go. When I mounted my shifter I put the seat in the car, and I got in and sat down. I mounted the shifter where *I* wanted it, not where it fit in the console. I didnt really know how different it was until I drove another omni w/ a stock shifter, and mine sits back quite a bit further. I fell like Im leaning forward in the other car.

but, if you can build a rod shifter setup, go for it!!

[SoCalCSX]

Spend a little time fabricating brackets for the shift rods. It's so worth it for the ease of shifting. I haven't seen one cable shifted L-body that doesn't put your knuckles in the map light in every gear but 2nd and 4th. I don't know about you guys but I hate having to lean forward to shift.


My buddy is like 5'3" so the seat is already almost all the way up but I suppose we will move it back just a little.

[BLUEBALL]

Here's a ref. pic if you want to do rod shift...

http://a388.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_fdd71340200cf380f92cb16bf2b70363.jpg

Dunno bout puttin cable shift in cause its easier. I have a car here I put Turbojerks setup in and its flippin awesome! Actually had to remind myself that aggressive shifting was not gonna have me under the car puttin linkage back on. If Tjerks stuff is still available then its well worth the $ to save on fab time.:thumb:

[minigts]

It's funny because I did a hybrid heim with my rods the SAME exact bends as TJ's and they're not coming off. And re-using the factory shifter is going to be easier, I think. Cutting holes, banging the sheet metal to make things fit and then fabbing up a cover plate doesn't sound simple once you get into it. I did my rod shifter setup in an evening with ZERO prep time.

[boost geek]

Put a molly plate in that 555 before you put it back in.

[Clay]

Dunno bout puttin cable shift in cause its easier.

well, let me clarify, its easier to put a cable shifter in, UNLESS you can buy a rod shifter setup already made ;) If you have to make it yourself, then I say the cable shift option is easier. hehe

[Clay]

It's funny because I did a hybrid heim with my rods the SAME exact bends as TJ's and they're not coming off. And re-using the factory shifter is going to be easier, I think. Cutting holes, banging the sheet metal to make things fit and then fabbing up a cover plate doesn't sound simple once you get into it. I did my rod shifter setup in an evening with ZERO prep time.

Ive been meaning to ask you, is your rod shifter setup on a 525??

[minigts]

THAT...it is. However, based on the pictures TJ posted, it's the same thing, no difference for my 525 and his 555. I was going to recreate the one rod that has multiple bends, but realized it's not necessary at all. Not sure why they did it in the first place, but you can just make one rod straight and the other one with a crook at the end, just like in the pictures.

[Clay]

in the FSM the turbo cars have the bend, non-turbo have the straight. I dont know what its suppose to clear, but a stock (ie true TI) car might have something in the way. My GLHS and Omni that are still rod shifted dont seem to have much in the way except maybe the steering rack or column.

[iTurbo]

The bend in the turbo rod is to clear the compressor housing.

[minigts]

Well they may have bent it for that, but it's not necessary. Granted, I have a TII setup, so maybe the T1 had the EGR or something in the way, I can't remember. All I know is I haven't used the multi-bent rod for a LONG time and I've only been running a TII for about 2 years, so it's not necessary or wasn't on my car. My rods got all messed up YEARS ago and I had to use the single bend rod in place of the other one and it shifted the gears. Go figure.

[Nemesismachine]

cable shift is definately the easier way to go. When I mounted my shifter I put the seat in the car, and I got in and sat down. I mounted the shifter where *I* wanted it, not where it fit in the console. I didnt really know how different it was until I drove another omni w/ a stock shifter, and mine sits back quite a bit further. I fell like Im leaning forward in the other car.

but, if you can build a rod shifter setup, go for it!!

+1. I'm going with an SRT4 shifter with a little custom bracketry for the reverse lock out. I want to get my seats mounted before anything, and like you said. It's going where I want it, not where it'll fit. I want the car to be built around me, not just a car I happen to fit in.

http://a388.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_fdd71340200cf380f92cb16bf2b70363.jpg

is this still available? (out of curiosity)

[minigts]

I'm with you on that as well. I plan on putting in a 568 and figuring out a way to rod shift that thing. Not sure how it's going to happen, but there has to be a way. Worst case, I will go with the cables and move the shifter BACK about 6 inches so I can reach it more easily. That's the plan anyways. I'm sure it will change once I actually get to work on it. :)

[turbojerk]

SRT-4 Hurst shifter + Neon shifter base + A few bracket fabing min's = one kick --- shifter in the correct spot!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2466597146_d6c118a0d5_b.jpg

[t3rse]

my not so badass shifter in a much better location (for me)

http://boostedmopar.com/temp/sdac17/sdac17%20116.jpg

[turbojerk]

my not so badass shifter in a much better location (for me)

http://boostedmopar.com/temp/sdac17/sdac17%20116.jpg

Yeah that's great! Especially with the higher stock seats!:thumb:

[Nemesismachine]

for those with the SRT4 shifter, what are you doing for the reverse lockout?

[turbojerk]

for those with the SRT4 shifter, what are you doing for the reverse lockout?

It's all the same if you're using an A523/568. Under 5th gear.

Not to sure if the SRT-4 shifter is compatible with the A520/555? Maybe worth a try though...

[Nemesismachine]

Does anyone have a solution for the lockout on an SRT4 shifter and a 520/555? Some pull tab or something?