OK, going to the track (see that tpi section for my NA 12.1 @ 117) I was beating on my car on a backroad before I got there. First came, second, then when I smacked 3rd the back tires kinda locked up. I am 97% sure I did not throw it back into first as the engine seemingly would have revved as well as lock the tires and I am a decent shifter. Anyhow, after this it didn't want to go in any gears and something was stopping the car when I drove, like something was stuck in the gears. So, I pulled over, made sure there were no holes in the trans case and then tried to drive it again. To my surprise it drove fine. So, I made 9 quarter mile passes and then drove it home 45 mins. Took the car out the next day and now I have big issues:

Intermittent inability to shift into any gear:
2nd gear is noticably louder:
In first gear decel car jerks and jolts like something is stuck between the gear teeth, again intermittent:

Can anyone enlighten me to what I should expect when I pull it apart? Why doesn't the problem happen all the time?

 

ttt

 

OK, so I took it apart today. The rear input shaft tapered roller bearing was gone. Little pieces of it everywhere. Anyone ever do this? I think it was a manufacturing defect...