I'm considering doing a transmission swap and replacing
my current diying 700R4 automatic with a Tremec 3550 5speed
manual.


My question is, what all is involved and what else has to be
replaced with the transmission? I've got a friend who works on
cars that exclaims it's a 3 thousand dollar job for a $1600 tranny.

He says that everything has to be replaced from the ECU to
rebuilding the drivetrain.


What's the word on this? Has anyone had to replace their ECU
when they did an auto->manual swap

?

 

You don't need to change the ECU because your tranny is not computer controlled. They didn't start that till '95 (I think). I don't know the specs on the Tremec 3550 but at worst you'll need:

the tranny
bellhousing
clutch and flywheel
clutch hydros
pedals
fabricated crossmember
correct length driveshaft
shifter
console plate
fabricated torque arm mount
speedo signal converter

FWIW you can do a T-56 swap for around 2 grand and have 6 forward gears with a .5:1 overdrive.

 

AFAIK, the ECU controlls the torque converter lockup point which means little in your case. What is wrong with the 700R4 that you hope the Tremec will change? You could cheaply go to a T5 but the T56 is going to cost more and what do you hope to gain? A little better cruising? How much long distance cruising do you do?