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View Full Version : how to identify a 90 from a 91+ transmission


DontStopMe
03-03-2008, 10:02 PM
This is actually rather simple but it took me a while to figure it all out so I figured I would share what I have learned. One way to check is to look at the VIN # on the transmission. I will post a picture below showing where the VIN # is located on the transmission if you don't know where it is. The 10th digit is the year the transmission was made for. The code goes as follows.
L-
1990

M-
1991

N-
1992

P-
1993

R-
1994

S-
1995

T-
1996

V-
1997

W-
1998

X-
1999



Another difference is the shape of the shifter arms on the tranny. The 90's have shorter arms while the 91+ have longer arms with more of a curve. The picture below shows the 90 transmission on the left with the shorter arm(red) and the 91+ on the right(blue). I will try to take better pictures within the next couple weeks.


The mounting bracket that holds the shifter cables to the transmission is also different. This is covered on the VFAQ site so I will just post a link to it.
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/shifter-diffs.html

I also used to think that only the 91+'s had this mount/pedistole but its not true. Some 90's do some 90's don't. most all 91+ I've seen have had this mount, but i can't say for sure that 100% of them do.
http://students.uwsp.edu/peler141/turbo_mount.jpg
http://students.uwsp.edu/peler141/nt_mount.jpg

One more side note, the 93-94 transmissions have a larger diameter input shaft for the axle shafts. So you need to match transmissions with axle shafts.

Here are some good pictures showing the length of the arms. I added the white line to show the distance.

90
http://students.uwsp.edu/peler141/90_distance.jpg
91+
http://students.uwsp.edu/peler141/91_distance.jpg

DontStopMe
05-05-2008, 11:36 PM
Update, a 90 will work in a 91+ without changing the cables/shifter/bracket.

DontStopMe
07-14-2008, 12:31 AM
http://www.paulelertson.com/images//tranny_vin.jpg

rectus femoris
08-18-2008, 12:16 AM
That must be only on the F4A tranny as with the W4A [all wheel] the 10th digit is a number.

DontStopMe
08-18-2008, 12:19 AM
That must be only on the F4A tranny as with the W4A [all wheel] the 10th digit is a number.

I don't think your looking at the VIN # then.

andrew4g63
08-29-2008, 07:38 AM
Update, a 90 will work in a 91+ without changing the cables/shifter/bracket.

how is this possible

DontStopMe
08-29-2008, 08:30 AM
how is this possible

It just shortens the throw on the shifter. Also, keep in mind this is a turbo FWD, that I am talking about.