Well, I know reman engines have gotten a questionable reputation, but does anyone have any experience with reman transmissions? Any feelings on whether a rebuilt or reman is better in the long run?

The dealer is saying there's a good chance that parts are going to cost more than a reman, but I have a Mazdaspeed account so I'm pretty sure the actual parts cost will be about half what they quote me.

Thanks in advance

 

My understanding is that for $2200 or so the trans you get from the dealer is NEW...and yes, I would go new if you can afford it. I had mine rebuilt but wish I'd gone new. Nothing in particular wrong, but rebuilt is not as good as new...

 

^

 

mazda doesnt reman the maunals (can you imagine that mess if they did?) they sell them new only. just the bearings and synchros are $1400 + labor + whatever else it may need vs $2200 for a new tranny, take your pick

mike

 

Well, I just talked to Mazduh. HOLY ****! They quoted me $1796 in parts alone, a grand total of $2876 to repair. They said there's two new trannies left in the country, and they're $3149. I feel violated........

Now I'm gonna see what Mazdaspeed quotes me on parts. Interesting that as soon as I told them I was going to check on those parts prices, they said not to commit, they might be able to work with me........ How nice........

 

$3100 list? Malloy should discount it 20+% which should come in around $2400...

 

Malloy Mazda will be my new best friend if they can do that for me! I emailed them earlier to find out what they would sell one for.

I hate these damn (local...I'll leave Malloy out of this!) dealers jerking me around with prices.

 

Try mazdaformance.com

 

Note: Ray Crowe is on vacation this week (super parts dude at Malloy).

 

There is a guy in B'ham, Ala who does great work on trannies. His son had a single turbo FD and he works in a coal mining machine shop and is a speed junkie. He was actually bragging about his son's car street racing a 911 to me....cool dad. Mike did my 4.3 gear install and sent power point pics showing the backlash and other measurements so I'd know what he was doing. His tranny rebuilds, I know he has one right now, look great and he tears down the entire tranny and specs everything.

Cost $900 I think plus shipping which is around 100 via ups.

Tim

 

If Ray is not there, talk to anybody at Malloy Mazda. They will give you a new tranny for $2,200

 

you don't say what parts your tranny needs but i rebuilt mine. the parts-bearings and syncros(there are six syncros with reverse)-were only about $600. it does take quite a bit of time but mine shifts like a champ now and is fairly quiet.

 

Thanks for everyone's replies. I'm starting to really lean toward a new tranny at this point. I've joined the praise-Malloy-Mazda bandwagon. Like you guys said, they are willing to part with a tranny for just under $2200. Those guys are awesome. That's the way to run a business.

For what it's worth, here's the parts and prices that my local dealer quoted me. Personally, I think they're full of bullshit and the labor from tearing my tranny apart is the last dime they'll ever get from me.

Shifter spindle, R503 17 550 (updated version) - $55
5th synchro, W501 17 725B - $26
1-2 clutch hub set, R523 17 260A - $227
1st syncho ring, R514 17 265B - $44
2nd synchro ring, R503 17 26Y - $95
3rd synchro ring, R504 17 26Y - $82
4th synchro ring, M502 17 265C - $32
5th clutch hub set, R504 17 620 - $152
1-2 clutch hub set, R523 17 260 - $227
3-4 clutch hub set, R523 17 240 - $188
main input shaft (4th gear), R509 17 21X - $288
main input shaft bearing, R501 17 29S - $62
6 main bearings: R502 17 283 - $18
R501 17 204 - $56
R502 17 204 - $46
R502 17 306A - $47
0821 17 303 - $36
R501 17 299 - $21
Oil diverter tube, R505 17 540 - $9
Large lock nut, 3648 17 629 - $22
Small lock nut, M501 17 309 - $19
Snap ring front main bearing, 0727 17 306 - $5
Snap ring, 0839 17 305B - $5
Sealer, 8527 77 739 - $32

+ 12.5 hours labor + tax for a grand total of $2876 to rebuild.

 

One more update for the record....

Stopped by Mazda today, and my tranny was really trashed. Bearings welded themselves, parts shredded in the bottom of the pan..... Gears were about the only thing still ok.

Called Mazdaspeed Motorsports and they're sending me a brand new tranny for $1810. That's a no-brainer! So I guess the lesson I've learned from all this is stay away from Bob King's parts department (Rob in service seems to know his stuff though), if Mazda Comp sells it buy from them (factory support rocks!), otherwise Malloy Mazda's by far your best bet.

 

$1800? I am going to have to renew my SCCA membership and start auto-crossing again. That's a real deal!

 

Yeah man! Even if you hate autocrossing, it's worth putting up with twice a year to get this kind of a discount!

The dealer swears there's only two left in the country, and one of those is mine now........