Interchangeable transmission parts 03-05

texaspete108 · Oct 30, 2008, 12:38 PM

Hey all, I'm changing my 2005 OZ Rally lancer from automatic to manual and I need someone to confirm something for me. I'm planning on buying a parts car (2003 Lancer ES) to get the parts I need for the swap.

My question is this: Will parts from a 2003 Lancer ES (stick shift) fit my 2005 OZ Rally (automatic) for the swap?

I've heard two different answers so far. My local salvage yard told me that for some reason parts from a 2005 OZ Rally can only be swapped with parts from another 2005 OZ Rally. The person I'm buying the 2003 ES from said that the 2003 ES is mechanically identical to my 2005 OZ Rally.

I've searched this forum high and low but I can't seem to find a definitive answer one way or the other. Please help!

Juan Martinez · Oct 30, 2008, 12:52 PM

I don't see the problem with swaping out the shifter, cables, transmission, pedals and master cylinder. The only problem will come from the wiring. The harness on the 2003 is probably different. You'll either have to get a 2005 manual harness and ecu, or cut and past the 2003 and 2005 together and use the 2003 ecu.

texaspete108 · Oct 30, 2008, 12:56 PM

Thanks a lot for the quick reply. I will probably get a 2005 harness and ecu (so that i won't have any fitting problems). Thanks for your help. If anyone else has any other input, please let me know.

Juan Martinez · Oct 31, 2008, 03:09 PM

Yeah, the 2005 harness and ecu would be way much easier to put in. You'll have to cut the firewall where the master cylinder goes, that will probably be the hardest part.

texaspete108 · Nov 4, 2008, 04:20 PM

I've been working on the swap for the past two days and I should be able to have the trans swapped by the end of the week. I didn't get a chance to go to my local mitsu dealer today to ask them this but maybe somewhere here will know for sure.

Is the wiring harness from an 03 Lancer ES the exact same as the wiring harness from an 05 OZ rally? I was comparing the two earlier today and they seem to be the same but I'm not 100%. If I have to get a new 05 harness it's not a huge deal but I would like to use the 03 if possible.

Juan Martinez · Nov 4, 2008, 09:37 PM

I'm not really all that sure about the harness thing. I don't know how much of the engine bay harness you have to replace. Just the ones to the engine and tranny, or everything under the hood wiring like the fuse box and to the headlights. The headlight harnesses are run completely different and could cause a problem. It all just depends on how much you have to replace.

OZking425 · Nov 4, 2008, 11:13 PM

How much did you end up paying for everything for the swap?

texaspete108 · Nov 5, 2008, 06:47 AM

I'm doing the swap myself at the shop I work at and I'm only paying for parts. I paid $1700 to take all the parts I need for the swap and I am also taking the trunk and catalytic converter.

Juan Martinez · Nov 5, 2008, 11:12 AM

Thats not a bad price at all. When I looked into it for my 01 mirage, it was in that ballpark.

texaspete108 · Nov 5, 2008, 03:41 PM

I think I'm going to need to get a new wiring harness and I have no idea how much they cost, anybody know? I'm lifting the engine tomorrow and will get the transmission out of the 03. Friday I'll probably lift my engine out of my car and hopefully by the end of Monday I'll have the transmission swapped.

Yeah the $1700 for the swap isn't too bad, hopefully the harness won't be too expensive.

Juan Martinez · Nov 5, 2008, 07:21 PM

You can probably get a harness from one for around $100.00 off ebay or a junk dealer, if they want to pull the harness. Will you take some pics of this, I may plan to do the same with my 03 OZ and my 04 ES. I would rather have the ES with the 5 speed instead of the 03, 04 and up has such a nice body on them.

lancer2show · Nov 5, 2008, 07:32 PM

you should do a ''how to thread''...haha.

good luck with the swap.

texaspete108 · Nov 5, 2008, 07:37 PM

yea i can definitley take some pics. Anything in particular for pictures? I may even do a write up on a "How to" for a swap from 03-06 (excluding ralliarts, seeing as how they have a 2.4L).

It isn't too tough if you have the right tools for it. You will definitley need a breaker bar for some of these bolts (also makes much, much easier in general). I am very fortunate that the top of the engine was already gone on the 03 so I didn't have to deal with that but when I get to taking my 05 apart I'll let you know what I come up with.

As far as the interior goes, 03-05 center consoles can be mixed and matched and removing the shifter cables wasn't very difficult. Again, when I get around to doing my 05 (hopefully friday) I'll let you know if the auto is any more difficult to remove than the 5 speed. (And yes, 04-up have a really nice body haha)

texaspete108 · Nov 6, 2008, 08:26 AM

ugh....So I went to the dealer this morning to ask them if the wiring harness from an 03 ES will fit my 05 OZ Rally. They told me that they need both the VIN #'s. I asked if they had an interchangeable parts list and they said that the part numbers were different (implying that they aren't interchangeable).

I guess once I get the wiring harness off of mine and check them side by side I won't know for sure. I'm just trying to avoid having my car be all ready to go and not have a wiring harness and have to wait two weeks for it. If anybody has found an answer to this, it would be greatly appreciated!

lancer2show · Nov 6, 2008, 08:47 AM

i believe their similar. the wires just might be different colors but im not 100% sure.