Need new/rebuilt transmission
 

I just bought a 1990 RX7, Standard Non-Turbo with a HD suspension.

I brought it to a 'transmission specialist' (they all say they are) and he tells me that the trany is completely shot. It won't even shift in any way. He advised that I purchase a new/rebuilt trany. He suggested that this would be the best route because taking it apart, diagnosing the problem, ordering parts and reassembly would take twice as long and considering the additional labour involved, might be more expensive. He claims he found a rebuilt trany (i did not get the mileage on it). He quoted me $1700 for the new trany+a clutch kit+labour. Am I being hustled?

I am relatively new to the whole "car-head" culture, but I think this is a great way to start off, with my RX7.

What I really need to know is what I should look out for, what the average price would be, what I should be inquiring about while I shop around for one and ultimately where to find one in Toronto, Canada.

I am a student, as well, so a fair price is always something I am looking for.

Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Help out a newby to get this baby on the road. She's all black - black leather interior, convertable soft top - she needs to be unveiled to the world!

Hope to see y'all on the streets!

-G

Replacing a transmission and clutch shouldn't be more than a few hours worth of work. Figure out what the shop rate is per hour, and the difference will be the cost of the parts. It had better be a flawless rebuilt transmission if someone wants roughly $1200+ for it. The clutch kit will likely be in the $200 range. That's a steep overall price in my book.

Also, you can find a used NA transmission in the classified section for far less.

If you pull into a tranny shop and say "do you think I need your services?" of course they are going to say YES! Nobody is turning away business these days.

You might be better off diagnosing the actual issue through this forum. It could be clutch related (is this a 5 speed or an auto?). Sometimes the clutch will break up and jam so that it cannot be disengaged. Can you shift through the gears while the car is not running?








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^ +1

If the car can shift into gear with the car off, it may not be a transmission issue at all.

It's a 5 speed manual - it only shifts into 4th gear - However, running/not running it does not ENGAGE in ANY GEAR.

What the hecks going on?

Remember, however, the pricing is CANADIAN - our stuff up here, even though our dollars are pretty close - inflation and taxes up here is crazy.

Some guy just quoted me $1700 for a USED trany w/100 000 kilometres + clutch kit + labour.

Another guy recommended, that the USED trany may or may not last considering the mileage. He offered to REBUILD my trany to stock specs (so i guess that means 0km on it) + clutch kit + labour + 1 yr/20 000km warranty : for $2200

Ummm...HELP PLEASE!?!?

Continue to shop around. You should be able to find a good condition used tranny for a small portion of what you have been quoted so far...

I agree with Kentetsu. Go on craig's list, sometimes you'll find some very good deals.

post in the Canadian Wanted/For Sale section, there are a lot of parts going up recently, and chances are someone will have what you are looking for.
https://www.rx7club.com/canadian-sale-wanted-classifieds-120/

Those prices are what a "regular" consumer would pay. You're not a regular consumer, because you are here. :) NA RX-7 transmissions are WORTHLESS. Go to the Canadian classifieds section and you will find a load of them for $200 and below. I just threw out a bunch.

Installation can be done at any mechanic, and shouldn't be more then 5 hours of labor. Rusted exhaust can complicate things as the exhaust must be dropped. At the same time, you will want a new clutch, throwout/pilot bearings, and the flywheel will need to be machined. At that point you might be into it for a little money at a mechanic, say $1000.

What exactly happened when it failed? Was there a noise?

You indicate that it won't shift when the car is running, which points toward a clutch failure.