theNMBR27

Since I converted my car to stick the trans has been finicky when cold and 5th gear always grinds above 2000 rpm. I have a local shop that's going to do the work but is there anything worth upgrading while it's apart. I will be doing autocross and this isn't my daily anymore. What does a typical rebuild usually cost? thanks in advance.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

I usually pay about $180 or so for the kit. Takes me around 5 - 6 hrs from drive-in to drive-out.

No idea about this "shop" thing; I thought that's where women go to buy dresses? They rebuild manual transmissions in those too? How do they keep the clothes clean?

theNMBR27

I really don't want to rebuild it myself and they will disassemble/inspect for free. But thanks

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Oldest high-pressure sales tactic in the book.

OF COURSE they will... the car's not going ANYWHERE with its trans out and in pieces, now is it? Meaning, they disable your car "for free"; and THEN WHAT? You think they're going to put it all back together again FOR FREE if you don't like the quote; and that it's actually going to WORK after all that??

I suggest that you either learn how to deal with it yourself, or sell the car and get a younger one.

I also suggest that there's not a thing wrong with your transmission AT ALL, and that all you need, is a clutch. (including a new pilot bearing)

theNMBR27

Let me give you a little background. I am a full time student working on my Airframe and Power Plant certifications. I'm pulling the transmission out of the car and bringing it in because I don't have time to "play" with it right now. The car is my second car and won't be going anywhere this winter. I have no problem with it sitting there and am very capable of figuring out how to do the work myself.

Everything engine back is new besides the transmission. Yes the clutch could be hanging up and causing the snick in third gear but if I can have the inspected for free I'm going to. I'm not one of those people that brings a car in and let's some random 'fix' what they feel is wrong with it. I take pride in having built this car myself. Excuse me for coming onto a forum to ask for advice.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I agree with Sofa that it's probably a clutch issue. Rule of thumb is when it HAS to be the transmission, and it CAN'T be the clutch....it's probably the clutch. I also agree that "Free Inspection" without a rebuild quote is a bad idea. That's like a doctor saying they'll REMOVE a kidney for free LOL!

I too rebuild 'em myself. Hanlon motorsports has a $20 DVD. I have about $100 in tools that I had to buy, but now I own them.

.....but....you're right, we're here to help, as well as give sarcastic advice. There's not TOO much worth upgrading. The main killer is hard launches while drag racing, which cause case flex, leading to gears un-meshing, and ultimately broken teeth. For the cost of so-so upgrades, you get into t56 swap territory. Of course to be honest, and I'm sure Sofa will agree, the cost of having someone rebuild it for you ALSO gets into t56 swap territory. Personally, I don't think it's worth paying someone to do. I got a few quotes of between 700 and 1000 including the rebuild kit, but NOT any other parts. Just too much for what it is. It's really not worth it.

My advice would be to either rebuild it yourself, or buy another used t5.

theNMBR27

I have no problem checking the clutch because the Trans will be out anyway. Since the rebuild the engine/clutch have ~2500 miles on them including new pilot bushing and proper break in. I should have mentioned that the transmission shop with disassemble and reassemble the trans for free because it's their policy.

I appreciate the help and don't plan on spending a million dollars. Eventually I'd like swap a t56 but I'm not there yet. Mostly I wanted to know things to check while its apart aside from going to aftermarket parts or a gforce case.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

Interesting that you mention the G force case. In theory, that case should solve a lot of issues. At the end of the day, there's no way it'll be as strong as a t56, but that case should make a big difference. I haven't read any reviews of the case though. I'd be curious to hear any feedback.

My buddy ran a freshly rebuilt t5 behind a 396 smallblock for regular (not quite daily) driving, and autocrossing. Never drag racing. Trans lasted about 3 years. Once it died though, he had no intentions of putting more money into it, and swapped in a TKO 600.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

....and the point Sofa and I are making about the shop with "free inspection" is simply this: Some shops may charge you $300 to disassemble, $300 to inspect, and $300 to reassemble. Other shops will disassemble and inspect for free, only to charge $900 to reassemble. It's all the same at the end of the day, I guarantee it. No free lunches, I promise.

theNMBR27

That's exactly why I don't want to sink too much money into it. The t56 in my 95 is infinitely better and especially because this car is enjoyed whenever I take it out I know the 5 speed is going to break. Realistically 5th gear is probably going to get a new blocker ring and synchro and ill just drive it for auto cross next summer.

theNMBR27

I work for an autoparts store that does business with them, and in IL shops are not allowed to charge for any labor you haven't ok'd or without consent.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

I'm telling you, if you OK that "free" disassembly and inspection, and then don't OK the "rebuild" quote, you'll get your transmission back in a plastic bag.

Furthermore, I'll bet you MONEY there'll be some little piece missing, that the trans won't work without; and it'll be something you can't just "buy". Only way to get it, will be to get a WHOLE OTHER TRANSMISSION to get it out of. I have a pretty fair idea of which piece it'll be, but I'll let you learn for yourself the hard way if you're dead set on that being "A Good Idea". It'll be about like a coupla decades ago I was rebuilding a steering gear, and when I took it apart, I dropped it and all the little ***** fell out and went EVERYWHERE; and I'm thinking one must have rolled out of the garage and into the yard or something. And then, ya know WHAT?? You CAN'T BUY one of those little *****, not the black ones OR the silver ones; I ended up having to go to the junkyard and get a WHOLE OTHER steering gear, just to get ONE LITTLE BALL out of it. That's EXACTLY what's going to hit you.

If you think your car is going to drive again after this "free inspection", you've got a thing or 2 yet to learn about how that business works.

I don't participate in it, either as PREDATOR or as PREY. Be the PREY just one time, you'll learn.

You won't be using 5th gear in auto-x anyway; you'll be DAMN lucky to get into 3rd during a typical parking-lot-cone run.

theNMBR27

Good point, I had that in the back ofy mind. I may just leave this alone since 5th gear is more of an inconvenience.