Well I bought a new camaro today. 1991 RS with a 5 speed. I bought it for very cheap because the synchros are going/are bad. (So I think)

Heres what its doing; At idle, the tach says that it is idling at 3k, when i know it is obviously not. Upon any acceleration, it bypasses the redline mark when really the car is only MAYBE 2500 rpm. First gear and 5th gear are fine, but it fights the synchros going into 2nd and grinds hard, and wont even engage 3-4th. what does this sound like to you guys? What should I do and how should I do it? Im Active Duty military so I dont have tons of cash saved up. Lets keep this on the cheap side, be it replace the synchros, to tearing one from a donor car in a junk yard. Thanks.

 

"Synchros" VERY VERY VERY RARELY IF EVER "go bad". Especially not multiple ones all about the same "bad"ness all at the same time.

Your "synchros" are fine. Leave the trans alone.

Your car needs a clutch.

 

The clutch you say? Never thought of that.. How would the clutch cause these issues? Just curious. Thanks

 

Most people don't, because the SYMPTOMS appear in the transmission, although the CAUSE lies elsewhere.

Because when all the gears are stiff, it's because the engine is still trying to turn them, because the clutch isn't letting go.

Logic (see my signature) is a great help in this situation. The fact that ALL gears are doing the same thing, kinda rules out a part that EACH ONE OF THEM has its own individual one of, eh??

Try this:

Next time you need to shift, push the clutch, then use the gas pedal position to adjust the engine speed as close as you can to the speed that it will be at in the gear you're shifting to. If your trans magically shifts right when you do that, then you need a clutch. Obviously this won't help you get it into reverse without grinding, or any other time when you're sitting still, but it'll sure help while driving down the road.

You need a clutch.

 

Hm, that sounds plausable. No idea how long its been since its been changed either. Any ideas whats going on with the tach?

 

Yeah.

It's messed up, like everybody else's in one of these cars.

No biggie... it's not an "instrument", just a trim package. It's for people who are easily distracted by shiny things. Don't worry about it, the car will work just fine no matter what it reads.

Worry about the clutch though.

Leave the tach alone. Put in a new clutch.

 

What should be replaced? The clutch, or the springs? Or both?

 

Springs? Not sure about what springs you are speaking?

The clutch usually comes as a kit; most often has the clutch itself (aka pressure plate), disc, and release (aka throwout) bearing. Additionally you'll need a pilot bushing or bearing, which usually but not always has to be purchased separately. And, your flywheel may need to be resurfaced or even replaced, depending on its condition. Hard to know that for sure until you get it torn down.

 

Sofa is correct that if the clutch disc is not released completely you will have a hard time shifting. Before you go replacing parts though, you might want to check that the clutch slave cylinder actually moves the clutch fork since the act of pushing the clutch fork will release the disc. I belive the spec is that the slave cylinder should move the fork about .5 inches. You will need a helper to either measure or press the clutch while you measure.

If the clutch fork is not being moved, then you will probably have to replace the clutch hydraulics. If the clutch fork does move within spec, then I think it is likely that the trans has some internal problem. If you decide to pull the trans to get it rebuilt, it would behoove you to replace the clutch assembly as Sofa suggests.