How does one remove an automatic transmission?
 

Hello, I have a 1987 944. I've owned this car since 1997 and it was, for most of those years, my daily driver. So it was well maintained and very much worth keeping. Unfortunately, a few years ago, the automatic transmission experienced a profound internal failure and has been immobile ever since. With the intention of turning lemons into lemonade, I decided it was an opportunity to replace the Audi-built automatic tranny (which I never liked) with a proper Porsche 5-speed. To that end, I have accumulated most of the bits I need for conversion - clutch pedal assembly, hydraulics, etc.

Seems simple enough, except I have no idea how to get the old automatic transmission out of the car. The connections to the torque tube bear no resemblance to the illustrations in my tech manuals (which were obviously intended for a 5 speed). So short of employing a sawzall, does anyone know how to remove an automatic transmission?

To the best of my recollectiion from reading various bits and pieces regarding the most despised item in a 944... It involves unbolting the torque converter from the torque tube and sliding the tranny backwards or vice versa. Do a search on pelican I suggest...

However I find my automatic daily driver to be an absolute pleasure to drive in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic(compared to just about anything on the road).

I'm surprised the tech manuals don't include the AT.
Vol 2 of the pdf I have includes automatic.
If anything download the parts manual. I use the parts manual more than the shop man. for dissasembly and reasssymbly.

it's pretty simple.......remove the crash plate on the back of the trans, undo the cooler lines, undo the torque converter bolts (spin the crank pulley to get access to each).
axles, the 2 bolts on the upper mount which go through from the passenger side, axles, shift cable, a couple electrical plugs......not too much different than a manual.....
after it's out of the way you can change the torque tube which iirc is different...