Ok… I recently purchased a JDM transmission. The tag on the case says J1.
Naturally, I opened the case to count the gear teeth and calculate ratios. I know people dislike using THIS site, but according to it, all of my ratios came out identical to those listed as Y1. With the exception of having a 4.4 FD.
So, either the website is wrong or this case has had a gear swap before. Regardless…
The scenario is, this transmission wants to grind 3rd and 4th gear… constantly. Whether upshifting, downshifting… high rpm, low rpm… if the car is moving, 9 times out of 10 it will grind. 1st/2nd/5th/R all shift like butter.
I’ve only driven the car 100’ish miles since the swap… and have been using Genuine Honda MTF. My main question is, would it be wise to run GM Synchromesh? Or something else to try and reduce the amount of grinding? I realise once a tranny is this worn, the fluid is merely a bandaid and not solving the issue at hand… but if I can lessen the grinding id verymuch love to.
Next question… Are these transmissions rebuildable? From my understanding JDM/small spline trannies aren’t rebuildable as parts are impossible to source. If that’s the case, I’ll just drive this gearbox into the ground and not worry a ton about it.
I still have my USDM YS1/LS cable tranny… I’m guessing my best bet would be to swap some hydraulic guts into it? And if I indeed go this route, would the 4.4FD/Differential fit into my YS1 case? If so then all id need is the main/counter shafts and any shims for the hydro swap to be completed.
As I said, my main issue at hand is the grinding… I basically don’t use 3rd or 4th simply because I want to prolong the life of this trans. Any help is appreciated.
its not impossible to find parts for the tranny, only issue you will see is that its a 90-91 tranny and parts are not interchangable with 92-01 tranys. You can just fix the bad synchros and have fun with it, those short gear trannys work so good with the LS and B20 engines. Only bad side is that 5th gear is still close to 35k-4k rpms at 80mph.
on a side note I just bought a spare ctr lsd from the Y1 90-91 tranny and also have the original gears from before the rebuild… If you do keep it and plan on installing lsd then you can find jsd lsd’s with counter shaft for around $300…
Im thinking of taking out my wavetrac lsd for the oem lsd…
from what i’ve heard, syncromesh tends to eat at the brass syncros. obviously, people are going to stand behind it and say that they’ve had zero problems with it. but that’s not to say that over time it could cause damage. redline shockproof pours out like pepto bismol. i’ve used it before and, imo if anything can mask a grind, it’s that stuff
Ok, so after doing some fun searching, I have bring this thread back from the dead since I don’t want to clutter with new threads.
I’m considering putting in the synchromesh fluid, but, I fear my trans may be too far gone to have any good results from it. It’s past grinding, it now pops out of 3rd and 5th, it will stay if I hold it in gear and can actually get it to go in, 5th will go in 90% of the time, but pops out if not held in very forcefully, and third almost never goes in, but when it does, I can feel it slipping teeth or something of that nature. So my question is, is it too far gone for this to work? The answer should be based on the assumption that it actually works based on just the normal slight grind, please no remarks of how it’s a big spoof and doesn’t work at all for anything. Clearly it works to some degree, I just wanna know if I’ve got bigger issues than just synchros, I’m planning on replacing it soon, but just need a temporary band aid til my other trans is finished, I’m doing an insane gear setup in it.
Id assume that the synchromesh fluid would help mask the grinding… but if its completely popping out of gear, and requires force to keep it in said gears, fluid won’t apply the ‘force’ necessary to keep it in gear.
Its worth a shot imo…
I’ve yet to find a solution to my issues, still rocking MTF Honda fluid and have about 120miles on it. Still grinds, etc.
[QUOTE=vtecsauce;2229044]Ok, so after doing some fun searching, I have bring this thread back from the dead since I don’t want to clutter with new threads.
I’m considering putting in the synchromesh fluid, but, I fear my trans may be too far gone to have any good results from it. It’s past grinding, it now pops out of 3rd and 5th, it will stay if I hold it in gear and can actually get it to go in, 5th will go in 90% of the time, but pops out if not held in very forcefully, and third almost never goes in, but when it does, I can feel it slipping teeth or something of that nature. So my question is, is it too far gone for this to work? The answer should be based on the assumption that it actually works based on just the normal slight grind, please no remarks of how it’s a big spoof and doesn’t work at all for anything. Clearly it works to some degree, I just wanna know if I’ve got bigger issues than just synchros, I’m planning on replacing it soon, but just need a temporary band aid til my other trans is finished, I’m doing an insane gear setup in it.[/QUOTE]
If you have to physicly hold it in 3 and 5 then the gerar, then its the gears them selfs are done not the syncros. syncro mesh work great in my opion and have used it for year without incident, but wont do anything for your problem. looks like its time for a rebuild or replacement of that tranny.
Welfare, where did you hear that it was harmful to the brass syncros? im sure daily wear and tear would break them down faster then any lubricant could.
[QUOTE=unified112;2229082]Id assume that the synchromesh fluid would help mask the grinding… but if its completely popping out of gear, and requires force to keep it in said gears, fluid won’t apply the ‘force’ necessary to keep it in gear.
Its worth a shot imo…
I’ve yet to find a solution to my issues, still rocking MTF Honda fluid and have about 120miles on it. Still grinds, etc.[/QUOTE]
Have you tried to run synco mesh 2 or GM’s equivalent??
All I have to say is buy with confidence. Rabi is an outstanding and honest guy, I have made several transactions over the years and they have always been good. In fact i am picking up his white DA on Saturday. Woot!
[QUOTE=unified112;2229868]I actually havent… would like to try some GM synchromesh though.
Im prettymuch accepting the fact that the trans is on its last leg… w/e, will get a new one, or rebuild when the time comes.
Seeing as how ive managed to only drive 200miles in the last year and a half, its not an absolute necessity right now… thank god for having a DD lol.
WTH?[/QUOTE]
I have to say, I have 3 quarts of Honda MTF but am wanting to sell it and buy some syncromesh. I have a 3rd gear grind at high revs, would like to see if all the stories I have heard are true. They seem credible, and some come from people I trust so I will have to do it soon.
In regards to the wth xD, I am picking up a 90 RS for a daily on Saturday. It was between that and an 88 Monte Carlo SS with a fresh maroon paint job all original, but the it’s v8 with shitty fuel economy and a 305, so not even a good base. Also being a auto kills it, I NEED a manual for daily driving lest I get bored.
It will be a good daily, new tires new brakes fresh p8r from Hmotors good gas mileage with a civic si rack. Anyways, sorry to whore your thread as always.
its and old trans. if it grinds all of the time like you stated the syncro and sleeve are on there way out.check out syncrotech/ gearspeed for items to rebuild the trans