We finally encountered the 5th gear synchro problem at 138,000 miles. Also have a little notchiness in 2nd.

We need to either have it rebuilt or replaced with a JDM one; seems like there are always a number of them available with supposedly less than 50k miles.

Just looking for input on which way to go. We haven't gotten a rebuild price yet but it looks like the replacements are in the $400 range before shipping.

Any experience either way?

Thanks for any help.

 

Unless your looking for major power down the road or like over doing things with treated internals.... then get a Jdm trans or another usdm one.

Their way cheaper than a proper transmission rebuild.

 

^ I'm with that guy

 

I had same problem. I bought a jdm seems the way to go. As a bonus you also get a lower 5th gear that is a little more driveable on the hwy...

 

what did it cost you to have the jdm one installed and were there any other differences besides the lower 5th?

 

Haven't installed it yet, but will do myself so i don't know about cost. I think physically they are the same other than 5th gear. I bought new springs for the gear detent/centering so I don't miss 3rd as easy... We will see.

 

If it's just 5th synchro, get that end of the transmission rebuilt. Not too expensive. You can pull the lower pan off and look at the internals - if there is grey dirt (bearing wear particles) then maybe go with the JDM trans.

2nd gear is always balky. I found a 5 speed with 1-4 synchros and gears in perfect shape. I rebuild a few bearings and 5th gear and the end result shifted the same as my previous transmission. Which is to say 2nd would still grind if you shift into it at a medium pace. If you shift slowly or fast into 2nd I've not had the balky problem.

David

 

Didn't realise that the gearboxes were so different. I have a 46k mile JDM car and the shift is universally crap. Can't hit 5th at speed, gears are notchy throughout the box. Is the JDM box really that much better than your US ones? If it is, yours must be awful!

 

No the JDM boxes are very similar internally. However you can buy the JDM boxes used here with lower miles for a reasonable price which is why you hear it mentioned. Buying a box used from a US-Spec FD is much more of a crapshoot.