firewall plate removal

[intern8tion9l]

i'm doing a 5spd swap into my recently purchased tgp(courtesy of tgp nick). wasn't planning on doing the whole firewall plate and everything, but looks like that's what's gonna happen now. does anyone have any write ups or tips on how to go about this? i know it's quite involved

[TGP Nick]

Replacing the plate itself is actually pretty easy.  However the engine/trans needs to be out of the car to do so.

Also, you will need to remove the center console, shifter, steering column, dashpad, and whole dash assembly.

Once you get that far, there are HVAC lines you will have to swap over from your 5-speed CS as well.

The swap is easier than it looks, just time consuming.

If you are planning on swapping to vacuum brakes with your 5-speed firewall plate, then it's just plug and play.

If you are keeping the PMIII firewall plate, you will have to cut a hole that will hold your clutch MC.

[intern8tion9l]

i'm getting a pmIII/5spd plate, so i'll be keeping the pm III.

what are these hvac lines you speak of? never read anything on it

[TGP Nick]

There is a vacuum line harness you will have to swap from the 5-speed car, and a couple vacuum hoses you will need to swap over from the 5-speed so your brake and clutch cruise cutout switches will work.  The vacuum lines run near the pedals, and up inside the firewall.  You can access them by removing the wiper cowl assembly.

[Dark Ride]

FWIW, I swapped out my firewall plate without removing the engine and trans.  But that wasn't a 5spd swap.