If I can get it running right again, I would like to convert my Alfa 164 from 4-speed automatic to manual in the future. Spare 24v (1994-1995) 5-speeds are very hard to come by and expensive. 12v 5-speeds (1991-1993) aren't compatible. I have found out the 6-speed gearbox and linkage from the 166 will bolt up to the 164. The 6-speed from the GTV/Spider, 156 GTA, and 147 GTA might work too. Someone in the States managed to get a hold of one and said it really wakes up the Alfa V-6, and helps it get better mileage to boot. Asking prices aren't terribly expensive either, at least from the UK. Of course, the GTV, 147, 156, and 166 never made it to the US and that 6-speed owner is incommunicado.
I've been reading up on importing engines from Europe and the consensus is that it is next to impossible without customs seizing it, due to Euro engines not being emissions certified for use in the US.
But what about just the transmission? Do gearboxes face the same customs restrictions as engines? Would it be possible for a JDM importer to get one from Japan, or do they generally avoid those sorts of custom orders?
I know there are some Volvo M90 gearboxes here and they were never offered in the states. From what little I've gathered they were shipped to Canada and then magically appeared on this side of the border. Just like an R34 Skyline once its in Canada all you need is a way to get it south and/or lax enforcement along the way. Or were they just installed into the cars while on "vacation" perhaps?
So it can be done, I just don't know how.
I have shipped transmissions and cylinder heads from Europe and aside from the costs there were no issues. That said, roughly the same transmission shipped from Germany was @$200 compared to @$350 from the UK.
Can you hang a clutch peddle on your existing bracket? I had to replace a peddle bracket on a SAAB 9000 once, and it was quite an undertaking.
Also, as for customs, why would importing an engine from Europe be any different than importing from Japan, which is fairly common, including engines that were never sold here.
I'm researching the swap now. 164 auto-to-manual swaps look to be relatively straightforward, besides the typical Alfa parts costs and labor intensity. No drilling or welding involved except to drill a hole for the speed sensor in the six-speed box. No wiring aside from some jumpers. I have a friend with some 1991-1993 164 parts cars, so sourcing the pedals and the center console is not an issue. AFAIK those do swap between 12v and 24v cars. For a 6-speed swap I need the transmission from a 166 or GT 3.2L (the 156GTA/147GTA box is geared too short), and the linkage from a 166.
This is all mental masturbation at this point BTW. I need something to tide me over while I wait for winter to end!
I know I should take forum posts with a grain of salt, but from what I can see the problems solely rest with shipping engines from Europe to the US. The parts numbers are checked against the EPA database, and if they aren't certified for use in the USA (which would be most of them), the engine gets seized. I don't know what sort of arraignments (legal or not) JDM importers have to get the engines past customs. There's a JTS 2.0L I-4 on sale on eBay right now, oddly enough. I have no clue who would want it over here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-05-ALFA-ROMEO-156-2-0-JTS-2-0L-4-CYL-ENGINE-AND-MANUAL-TRANSMISSION-/271207406998
LEEN ships converted J160 6 speeds from Ireland frequently to the USA... so far no issues.
I have gotten a JDM transmission from an importer on eBay with no issues, but the shipping wasn't cheap.
My dad's imported a few engines from overseas with no problems, but this was back in the early 90s.
