I need a new trans for my 85 SE, now I know early 2nd gens will fit it or I could go about trying to track down the correct trans but assuming I can they're going to be unknown commodities with (most likely) high mileage and i'll still pay roughly $250 shipped. Through my work I can get the correct trans fully remaned and shipped minus the core cost for $700.51. I know it's a bit pricey but it's 'new' with a warranty, do you think it's worth it?

 

Any FB tranny will fit. The SA uses a different shifter location, so it won't directly fit, and the FC NA tranny puts the shifter about an inch further back, requiring mods to the hole the shifter comes up through. You could mod the shifter housing on an FC or SA tranny, but thats no small job from what I've read. The only difference between the -SE tranny and non-SE tranny is in the 5th gear ratio. Its a little higher on the -SE tranny to take advantage of the torque of the 13B. You should be able to find a good FB tranny for under $200 though.

 

Correction on the usage of a 2nd N/A tranny in a Fb. The only thing you have to do is swap out the tail shaft housing and this is a very simple straight forward job.

Barf1, if you are planning on keeping the car a long time then it's worth it to get a new one with a warranty.

 

Thats something that I never really found a straight answer to. I've heard the FB tailhousing bolts up with no mods to a 2nd gen tranny, then I've heard otherwise.

 

I've done the swap and it's a piece of cake, don't let anyone tell you differently.

 

Is finding the trans easy though, I have never been able to track down a satisfactory one that wasn't sold in 2 seconds. And for those wondering all you have to do on a non-turbo 2nd gen trans is swap the tailhousing and it goes right in.