I have a 1998 Chevy Cavalier LS sedan 2.2L that's automatic and it's prone to breaking the shifter cable from the floor shifter. I'd rather make it a manual transmission then keep dealing with this on a monthly basis. Has anyone performed a swap before on one of these? If so, please, what did it entail? I'm pretty knowledgeable in auto repairs but not mod swaps. Any wisdom would be appreciated.

 

Welcome to Chevy - if your cable is breaking monthly, or even every few years, to me I would try to figure out what's the cause and correct it - that should be alot easier than switching to a MT. I would think that part should pretty much last the lfe of the vehicle

 

I have swapped the cable many times as well as the retainer cup repair kit. Nothing works. To me it's like the little ball it snaps over is worn down too much but it's welded onto the shaft of the floor shifter on a little flange that sticks out. Everywhere I look that whole assembly is discontinued but I can find a manual transmission. I'd rather have that anyway. If not I'm probably just going to scrap this car. To me it's not worth the headache it's been. Engine runs good though no other problems.

 

Made an account just for this.. about 17 years ago I owned a 96 cavalier and dealt with the exact same issue as you. I ended up making an x around the ball and socket with two zip ties and it lasted at least 3-4 years for me before having to replace one of the broken zip ties. I know it's a little ghetto but it was the only fix that worked besides replacing the arm that shifts the transmission.

Make sure it is a slightly "open" x on the wide end or else shifting will be impossible or it'll just snap the zip tie.

To actually answer the OP question.. I don't know the feasibility of a swap but I always wanted to do it for shiggles and gits because that 4 speed while being pretty hard to kill is absolutely anemic past 15 mph and has some very long shift points.

 

I fixed it. I met a fabricator online who owns one and had the same problem. He walked me thru what he did and he said it hasn't broken in over 15vrs now. So far it looks like it will last. So what he had me do is drill and tap a small hole horizontally thru the center of the ball. Put the linkage back on normally, and then thread a bolt thru it with a wide enough washer so the linkage can't pop off. A lil bit of loctite on the threads and that bolt isn't coming out on its own. Didn't even take that long.

 

I still might attempt the swap later on. But for now I'm going to leave it as it is. As long as the bolt and washer truck works 8 might be done with the idea of the swap for a while, at least u till I have more time and resources to do it. 8 agree with u on the long shift points in the AT. I much prefer a manual but I got this car for free99 so I can't complain too much. But boy did it and does it need a lot of work still. At least one headache is gone. Besides the preference of transmissions the drivability of this lil cav is quite amazing for as old as it is. Cosmetically, not so much. 🤣 Anyone know where I can locate a good dash shell besides lucking out at the local salvage yards?