POP, goes the tranny....

584 Views 8 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Serban, Feb 17, 2004

MaddMatt

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2004

Well, for years I've worried about it. I've done all the correct preventative counter measures. I sacraficed chickens to the transmission Gods. But the inevitible has happened: This past weekend on the backstraight at VIR, the raSEcaR popped out of 5th. Twice.

I've ALWAYS used Redline MT90
I've got the ES motor mounts
I NEVER EVER EVER rest my hand on the shift lever while cruising in any gear.
My shifts into 5th have always been smooth, deliberate and gentle in an effort to not stress the shift fork.

But now, under load at 115+ mph, uphill under full throttle accelleration, pop goes the tranny. Oddly, while drving DOWN the hill on the backstraight, it does not pop out of 5th. Nor does it do it on the front straight. It did not pop out of 5th on the way home. So, obviously, its still early yet there's a transmission rebuild in my future.

Now, I have a 2nd SE-R. Here's my observations:
In SE-R #1, I have for a while now, observed my gear lever move 1/2" or more when I accelerate. And there always seems to be some good driveline lash in any gear basically. Recently acquired SE-R #2 has no such lash or gear lever movement.

So. Rebuild myself, let a pro do it, or just get a 95+ transmission?

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Witt19

· #2 · Feb 16, 2004

I got the courtesy 5th gear pop out kit and i did it myself. IT was pretty straight forward. I'd just buy the kit and replace it, unless you find a 95+ tranny cheap.

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Rob

· #3 · Feb 16, 2004

Witt19 said:
I got the courtesy 5th gear pop out kit and i did it myself. IT was pretty straight forward. I'd just buy the kit and replace it, unless you find a 95+ tranny cheap.

i agree. although i plan on a 95+ SE-R tranny, and then fixing mine and selling it. 5th gear popout sux. happened in my 92 at 44K

How many miles on your car matt?

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Mirage

· #4 · Feb 16, 2004

If you want any help when you decide, let me know, i'll help you out again. Heck we've already been in there once

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Harris

· #5 · Feb 16, 2004

MaddMatt said:
Now, I have a 2nd SE-R. Here's my observations:
In SE-R #1, I have for a while now, observed my gear lever move 1/2" or more when I accelerate.

That movement would have to do with your tranny mount and maybe your shifter bushing as well. I don't think that the movement of the shifter lever is necessarily a sign of gears going bad.

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MaddMatt

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 17, 2004 (Edited)

If you want any help when you decide, let me know, i'll help you out again. Heck we've already been in there once

Well, lets pencil in some weekend in mid-March. I'm skiing in Wyoming through the 6th, so any weekend after that. See if Wade's up to it again.

How many miles on your car matt?

110,000 miles. This was weekend #37 at the track for the car, so it's not like I'm in complete shock this happened. How much is the fix-it kit??

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a *good* limited slip. The low mileage OE one I replaced last November (yes, I did have the tranny apart only 3 months ago...how's that for lousy triming??) was far better then the pne I took out, and I'm thinking a really good one will be the shizzle.

BTW, I really like those Progress sway bars. I turned a 2:26 in the time trial. Those 2 sentences may have nothing to do with one another.

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94sentraSER

· #7 · Feb 17, 2004

Welcome to the world of 5th gear popout!!! its kinda like a disease...can happen to anyone, at anytime....its all 4th gear on the highway from here...LOL

so replacing the old 5th gear with a new 5th gear will take care of it?? i need to know as i either can take my chances with a B14 tranny or fix my current tranny....

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goneturbo

· #8 · Feb 17, 2004

make sure you check your oil often if you are gonna be using 4th for high speeds. otherwise you may end up with the good old rod bearing problem...

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Serban

· #9 · Feb 17, 2004

MaddMatt said:
I've ALWAYS used Redline MT90
I've got the ES motor mounts
I NEVER EVER EVER rest my hand on the shift lever while cruising in any gear.
My shifts into 5th have always been smooth, deliberate and gentle in an effort to not stress the shift fork.

You have to remember the early B13s had the popout issue. So its basically just a time bomb, you can be as gentle as you want with it, and it will pop out when you least expect it.

I thought the tranny on my old 91 SE-R was solid, made it all the way to 175K without any signs of popout. Then cruising on the highway one day, it just popped out, and that was the end of it, didnt even work trying to hold it in.

If you're not scared to open up the tranny and mess around with the gears, get the 5th gear popout kit. Personally, I'm sick of trannies, and would just look for a B14 one

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