[Uncle Humjaba]

hey,

So my friend is looking at buying this 91 LX. The only problem is it has some transmission problems. He found another trans out of a 90 gt for $300 and wants to know how much work is required. They're both 5spd, so it's just take one out and put in the other, but about how long would this take for a couple of not-terribly-skilled teenagers like us? Is it worth it, or should he just look for another car?

Thanks

[Devine]

I've never done it, but I don't believe it's that hard. Do you have tools?

A trans shop should do the swap for around $300.

[ryans88gt]

Well, I'd recommend a new clutch and resurfaced flywheel, as well as a new rear main seal. These are all relatively cheap parts, but cost a lot of labor to put in, so you might a well do it while you have the trans off.

I did the clutch on my 89 this fall in about 5-6 hours total, by myself. The hardest part by far is actually getting the transmission back into place. I usually just lift it up there by hand, it only weighs 75 lbs, but feels a lot heavier when you are on your back under the car, trying to line up the trans.

basically you have to remove the H-pipe, driveshaft, starter, center console, shifter, unplug a few electric plugs, then take out the crossmember bolts and 4 bolts holding the transmission in. Pull it backwards while supporting the weight and it pops right out. All you need is basic hand tools. Putting it back in is reverse. If you do the clutch there are a few tricks, but nothing too hard.

[86ttops]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt Well, I'd recommend a new clutch and resurfaced flywheel, as well as a new rear main seal. These are all relatively cheap parts, but cost a lot of labor to put in, so you might a well do it while you have the trans off. I did the clutch on my 89 this fall in about 5-6 hours total, by myself. The hardest part by far is actually getting the transmission back into place. I usually just lift it up there by hand, it only weighs 75 lbs, but feels a lot heavier when you are on your back under the car, trying to line up the trans. basically you have to remove the H-pipe, driveshaft, starter, center console, shifter, unplug a few electric plugs, then take out the crossmember bolts and 4 bolts holding the transmission in. Pull it backwards while supporting the weight and it pops right out. All you need is basic hand tools. Putting it back in is reverse. If you do the clutch there are a few tricks, but nothing too hard.

The only thing i might add would be a pilot bushing. but ya i have done mine 4 times by my self make sure you get it up high ass you can in the air makes it easyer to get the tranny out from under the car

[Uncle Humjaba]

Sounds good thanks guys Did more digging and it looks like there's just some difficulty getting it in gear for 1st, 2nd and reverse. My friend called a tranny shop and they said it might just be the clutch not engaging all the way, so we'll see.

[orangecoupe]

Try adjusting the clutch cable-

[e3sean]

sounds like a grinded gear... ill buy his old tranny from him for 150 shipped...

[e3sean]

ya while its out change the clutch, resurface the flywheel,swap to a steel sleeve bearing retainer!!! check to make sure there is no damage atound the tip of the shaft that rides in the pilot bearing..change the rear seal. if he is getting another t5 for 300 there is a 50/50 chance that it is in just as bad of shape as his is. for 300 he could shipp his tranny he has now to me have me take it apart inspect fix and rebuild with new syncros and blocking rings and shipp it back.. if he has a bad gear or slider that would be on him but those are not that expensive..then he would have a like new tranny...

[e3sean]

it would look that pretty when i am done with it..

[Devine]

Originally Posted by e3sean it would look that pretty when i am done with it..

did you paint that thing or just clean the crap out of it?

[Uncle Humjaba]

Awesome I'll definitely have him take a look at this.
The guy was only selling this other T5 because he got trans for his car (a C4 if i remember correctly...). He said it had no problems.

[e3sean]

Originally Posted by Devine did you paint that thing or just clean the crap out of it?

i cleaned the crap out of it then painted it. its a really sweet textured silver paint that looks like a natural metal look but always shiny.

[Uncle Humjaba]

Hey so he checked out the car today. He said the tranny problem wasn't a huge deal but the rest of the car was a POS. So the search continues! (I guess you get what you pay for... he was asking $2k for it, heh)