are KA/SR trannies really THAT bad?

[frifox]

bought and installed a new tranny last night. in fact, 3rd one in past 2 years already. all previous including this one were bought used but claimed to be with no grinds, perfect shifts, flying unicorns, blah blah blah you know the drill...

so with each one i did my usual quality test: drive ~50mph, shift to neutral, let rpm's drop to 1k, pop the clutch, and try shifting into 3rd:
#1 - slowly, lightly pressing shifter w/ 1 finger toward the gear and let it pop in to gear by itself.
#2 - fast, aka force shifter into 3rd with a palm but not too forceful
#3 - ram it into 3rd with full force, but let go if it doesnt go into gear after 1 second.

all trannies pass #1 without a hitch, as expected. on #2 things get messier with 2 of 3 trannies making grinding noise but still managing to shift (1 stopped shifting completely after ~4 months of use). and lastly, with #3 all trannies simply would not go into gear as if the shifter hit the wall.

yes, i did check the clutch and it was good. in fact along with 3rd tranny i installed BRAND NEW clutch kit and clutch master/slave cylinders. with rear wheels lifted, in gear the wheels start spinning only after i depress clutch pedal about 1/3 or 1/2 the way. oh and i was using Amsoil 75w-90 synthetic GL4 gear oil in all trannies. supposedly the best of the best tranny oils for our cars.


so ya, are ka/sr trannies really that horrible at shifting / synchronizing? even my half dead '89 corolla shifts 10x better than this :ugh:

[KiLLeR2001]

How can you buy a bunch of used transmissions (14-21ys old) and not expect these things? How about rebuilding the transmission and then doing the test? I've had mine for almost 5 years and no grinds or any nastiness. Sometimes it's difficult to get it in reverse but if you ease on the clutch it'll slip right in.

[frifox]

my corolla is 22yr old... age isn't everything.

the engine on my s14 is ~200k and is still VERY healthy so i know it was well kept by previous owner so my assumption was that tranny would be equally good but nah, not even close. and yes, i did keep my previous tranny and are planning on rebuilding it in few weeks. what i was wondering about is whether these shifting/syncro issues are due to ka/sr tranny design or was it just my 2yrs of bad luck :p

[Howie Felter Snatch]

DAMN lol RAM that shifter into gear prison-style! :boink:

I don't think that's good for the transmission.. No wonder you're blowing out the syncro's on them lol..

If you want quick gear changes, get yourself a B&M Short Shifter.. Less travel, quick shifts. No need to ram the Wilma out of it..

Personally I like the feel of the stock shifter, much less prone to mis-shifting and destroying rocker arms.. HAH!

[Walperstyle]

swap for a z32 tranny

[frifox]

$300 for tranny + $1k for the adapter kit... :wtc:

[Razi]

After rebuilding my shifter and adding Pennzoil Syncromesh, my transmission shifts really smooth.

[codyace]

$300 for tranny + $1k for the adapter kit... :wtc:

If you're a cheap mofugga, then keep buying sr or KA transmissions like I have. If you don't want to fuck with them, go 300z or domestic. That's about it.

[Walperstyle]

$300 for tranny + $1k for the adapter kit... :wtc:

Or learn to make your own transmission adapter.

I remember growing up we use to build forts, take apart machines, and learned how to use tools. Was I the last of this Generation?

[frifox]

Or learn to make your own transmission adapter.

I remember growing up we use to build forts, take apart machines, and learned how to use tools. Was I the last of this Generation?
probably. i'm from the plug-n-play generation... we come in peace :x:

j/k aside i guess fabricating an adapter is very possible, already made a few custom mods for my car so adapter isnt far fetched. what i'm not sure about are the clutch & driveshaft lengths, sensor compatibilty, and the relocation of the shifter. the worst part this is going into my daily so i can't really afford downtimes in case things go south :-/

[superbike81]

$1300 doesn't sound like a bad deal to me for a much better transmission.

[Def]

Wait.. you're trying to shift into gear with the clutch out?


You guys sound like a bunch of n00bs - learn to freaking rev match and heel toe.


Going on 4k TRACK miles on my SR trans with changing the fluid three times. No issues, and it shifts perfectly fine on track.

[ManoNegra]

Yeah yeah Jacob
but does it pass the 3 tests?
because that's all the OP seems to care about

[Sleepy_Steve]

I have.... Different quality tests when I decide to pass judgement on a trans.

[Csomme]

Yeah yeah Jacob
but does it pass the 3 tests?
because that's all the OP seems to care about

hahahaha, shit.

[n8RPS13]

Or learn to make your own transmission adapter.

I remember growing up we use to build forts, take apart machines, and learned how to use tools. Was I the last of this Generation?

AWESOME! I remember those days too!

[n8RPS13]

j/k aside i guess fabricating an adapter is very possible, already made a few custom mods for my car so adapter isnt far fetched. what i'm not sure about are the clutch & driveshaft lengths, sensor compatibilty, and the relocation of the shifter. the worst part this is going into my daily so i can't really afford downtimes in case things go south :-/[/QUOTE]

Easy solution! 1):barf:2)Stop beating the shit out of your trannys(haha) and see how they handle everyday driving before you fist them! Especially since its your daily...DUH! Good god man have some brains.

[dopplganger1]

1300 really isn't bad since you also get a driveshaft and starter, since driveshafts are about 400 new sr starters are 200 and people around my area are selling used sr/ka transmissions for about 200 or more

[Otto347]

If you're a cheap mofugga, then keep buying sr or KA transmissions like I have. If you don't want to fuck with them, go 300z or domestic. That's about it.

Does anyone make an adapter for an SR to Richmond style 4 speed?

[frifox]

Wait.. you're trying to shift into gear with the clutch out?


You guys sound like a bunch of n00bs - learn to freaking rev match and heel toe.
Easy solution! 1):barf:2)Stop beating the shit out of your trannys(haha) and see how they handle everyday driving before you fist them! Especially since its your daily...DUH! Good god man have some brains.

haha i think you guys missed the point... skill or driving style isn't the question here and in fact, i've been daily-driving with rev matching, double clutching, heel/toe downshifting for past year to the point where now i do them without even thinking. there are cases tho where i have to downshift and pull away like a maniac and simply don't have the time to double clutch and thus rely on synchro's to do their job properly. that's where those 3 tests come from, which then i use to test the tranny's ability to shift without any of those "leet" skills :D

[Hoffman5982]

I can shift fairly quickly, including when I have to "pull away like a maniac", and I have never had a problem. The problem you are having isn't caused by a poor design. The problem lays between the seat and steering wheel. A complete retard would know better than to man handle their transmission. What the fuck do you expect? But after reading your posts, you are, in your mind, the Paul Walker of shifting and there is no way you could be making the mistake. Learn to shift correctly or buy an automatic.

[GroundPerformance]

KA Guys are lucky on this topic. RB25 Bellhousing will fit with just minor mod. Paired up with a Z32 tranny it would be easier to source out and shifter can be relocated for proper placement. LMK if anyone need more details on this.

[Karlitos]

Or do a proper rebuild of a trans and take care of it. I rebuilt my ka trans and it's been good to me in 3 track days. Used some amsoil GL-4 and shifts are buttery. Possibly the best thing Ive done to the car yet.

[Schassis707]

Or do a proper rebuild of a trans and take care of it. I rebuilt my ka trans and it's been good to me in 3 track days. Used some amsoil GL-4 and shifts are buttery. Possibly the best thing Ive done to the car yet.

how hard was the rebuild?

[frifox]

KA Guys are lucky on this topic. RB25 Bellhousing will fit with just minor mod. Paired up with a Z32 tranny it would be easier to source out and shifter can be relocated for proper placement. LMK if anyone need more details on this.
KA24 + RB25 bellhousing + z32 tranny? sounds quite a mixer :P

well, from this thread i've reached my conclusion. here is what i'll do:
1. man the f'k up and learn how to shift properly, even though i already been driving manual for ~5 years now
2. rebuild ka tranny ground up and fill her with amsoil
3. if shyt still bugs me, start looking for a z32 tranny


how hard was the rebuild?
a shop will do it for $300 to $600 depending on how bad the tranny is

[GroundPerformance]

KA24 + RB25 bellhousing + z32 tranny? sounds quite a mixer :P


Sure it is.. But think about how much money saved if you want to rock a Z32 tranny which as well all know is significantly stronger than the KA/SR 71C transmissions