[xpkson]

I am new at this so please be patient.My 1994 Escort engine with automatic is shot.I have a 1991 1.8 engine that was a standard shift.I want to stay with an automatic transmission.What is the simplest way to swap with the least mods?

 

[LOWETGT]

I would say to find an Auto GT, LX-E, or Tracer LTS with good trans and take the entire wiring harness. You will need the "BP" harness regardless of transmission installed if going 1.8L. Some wiring can be redone to use the auto harness to work with the manual trans and vise-versa. Biggest hurdles wiring wise are the neutral/clutch safety switch, TPS and other transmission sensors.

 

[denisond3]

The business of getting wiring harness & the PCM from different cars and engines to work together sounds mysterious & problematical to me. I have fixed up two Escorts where I took the engine/transmission out, rebuilt the F4EAT transmission, put new piston rings in the engine, along with new crankshaft seals and getting a valve job done on the head -- and put it all back together completely 'stock'. Doing that suits me very well, and since we have emissions testing where I live in VA, it makes it easy to pass the 'emissions dyno test'.

I cant imagine I would -ever- put a newer engine into an Escort and leave the original Escort automatic transmission in the car. The F4EAT is a fine transmission - if you dont mind rebuilding it about each 100k-150k miles. (And I dont consider it a hard rebuild, if none of the hard parts have been damaged - like the gears in the differential).

 

[LOWETGT]

I don't believe the F4EAT is the trans that goes with the 1.8L. I know the trans between the 1.8 and 1.9 are non-interchangeable. I would never go to an auto if already a manual, but converting to stick is not too big of a headache. I did essentially what you want to do. I swapped my entire harness and accessories from my GT in a LX body and have had zero issues.

 

[juggalo]

i'm pretty sure the GT's had a F4EAT since the protege does. probes have it and so do subarus.

 

[LOWETGT]

Thanks for the clarification, I don't know the auto numbers...never really cared.

 

[denisond3]

Or dp they have the sister transmissions? The G4EAT or the GF4EAT? (They are covered in the same manual as the F4EAT, and with the same master rebuild kit.)