I know there are a lot of threads about this already. From them, I've gathered that it's the internal bearings (whines every gear, basically all the time). Also TOB is going bad.
I just got the car today. Previous owner recently changed tranny fluid w/ redline.
Do ya'll think that adding some lucas or other additive can prolong the life of this transmission? Thanks.

 

can't hurt to try would be my guess, that trans is probably on it's last leg anyways....

 

Yeah I reckon I'll try it. Once I find another tranny, I reckon I can have fun and give this one hell.

 

Is it best to get rebuilt, used, or try to rebuild the tranny myself? Any links to places with good prices on trannys and/or parts for them? Thanks.

 

Well, if you have access to a press and a couple custom tools, I'd say go for it.. its not THAT hard... You can get around the press/custom tools with a little ingenuity as well.. Rebuild kits are like 170 bucks. Dirt cheap. I plan on doing mine in the next few months.

Check the link in my sig for factory service manuals.

 

I just changed out my tranny fluid in my TII with redline, and before it didnt make any noise now it has a slight whine, not loud at all but you can still hear it tho...

 

You shouldn't change the tranny fluid until it is neccessary. And redline full synth is the best out there. Lucas is close, but not quite it. When you change the fluid too often it stresses all the gears inside. They go from being submerged since it was built to completely empty and then when you fill it up, you should take it easy for at least 100 miles to get the new fluid circulated well. If you have never done tranny work, I wouldn't advise. Taking it apart is easy. Remembering what everything is and where it goes is the hard part. If I were you, i would take it somewhere and get it looked at. Trust me, I've done the whole "I can do it. It can't be that hard." thing. It is that hard. Unless you have a immaculate photographic memory. If you have the moeny to replace it, go ahead and try to rebuild it yourself. I would love for to prove me wrong. I'm personally one for doing everything myself. I support the habit.

 

I sucked out some of the redline. I don't know if the previous owner was bs'n me (I think so based on other things) or what, but the stuff that came out didn't look so good. Topped off with Lucas. Not much/any difference. Tranny is bout done for I reckon.
I may or may not rebuild it. Like anything, if you just take your time and do it in a systematic manner, it can be done. May not be easy, but I know I can do it IF I want to. Don't know if I want to.

Anybody know about putting different trannys in? Mine is a 88 vert, so if I put a regular NA trans in, would it have slower acceleration? Aren't miata trans the same? Do they bolt right up? And do they have better (for acceleration) gearing? Thanks.