Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth   Sunday, January 19 2003   Volume 02 : Number 057
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 10:11:54 -0800
From: "Shawn Keren" <nouveau3@attbi.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
My '92 VR4 has 125,000 miles on the original tranny. There has never been any work on either it  or the transfer case, that I am aware of. Aside from a slight notch between 1st and 2nd, while  shifting quickly, both the tranny and transfer case are solid. No leaks in either. When I  purchased the car I replaced all drivetrain fluids with redline fluids and actually the  notchiness between 1st and 2nd got better. As far as I know the car has never been raced, the  original owner lived in Nevada and put almost 60,000 miles on it in the first 2 years, meaning  that for the last 9 years it has averaged less than 7500 miles per year. From all of the horror  stories that I've heard about the drivetrain in these cars I consider myself quite lucky.
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Jannusch" <mjannusch@attbi.com>
To: "Team3S List (E-mail)" <team3s@team3s.com>
 
> > Maybe we should do the survey again.
> >
> > My synchros failed at 65,000 miles.
> > No transmission abuse on my part, but I can't speak for the
> > original owner.
> > New replacement tranny: started leaking immediately after
> > installation.
>
> I've had zero transmission problems at 66,000 miles.  I did, however,
> shatter one of the gears in the transfer case.  The previous '94 VR4 I
> owned also had zero driveline problems well past 60,000 miles.
>
> I'd say I'm very hard on my cars, but I do know how to shift properly
> and have never ground the gears (a primary cause of synchro failure).
>
> That's two more.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 12:14:31 -0600
From: "merritt@cedar-rapids.net" <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
Survey so far on a Saturday morning:
 
No failures:
Matt: none on 2 cars
 
Failures:
Rich: 65,000
Joshua: 40,000
Dennis: 60-80K (two different cars)
 
Let's see, that's 6 cars accounted for, with 4 failures. Sheesh, we have almost as many  responses in an hour as the previous survey did over several weeks. Guess our cars are getting  older, eh?
 
Wait'll the regular crew gets to work on Monday morning.
We need somebody better organized than me to track this on a spreadsheet or something.
 
Rich
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 19:13:23 -0000
From: "Jim Matthews" <jim@the-matthews.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
I have just over 90k on my original transmission and it operates just like it did when I bought  the car (34k miles).  That's not to say it feels GOOD or RIGHT... the synchros are definitely  worn and fast shifts cannot be accomplished smoothly (especially 1->2).  IMO it's unacceptable  for a car of this caliber, and if I didn't know that it's typical and if I weren't afraid that  Satan would make things worse, I would have taken it in for synchro replacement eons ago.  I  have a set of synchros from Jack's original deal years ago (not just the blocking rings, but all  three assemblies for all gears) and treat them like gold.  Ridiculous!  *sigh*
 
- - --
Jim Matthews - Yorkshire, England
mailto:jim@the-matthews.com
http://www.the-matthews.com
 
*** 3000GT-Stealth International (3Si) Member #0030 ***
      http://www.the-matthews.com/stealth.html
Jet Black '94 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo AWD AWS 6-spd Adjustable Active Suspension,  Adjustable Exhaust System K&N FIPK, A'PEXi Super AVC-R v.1 (1.0 bar @ 64% BADC) A'PEXi Turbo  Timer (30 sec), Blitz Super Blow-Off Valve Magnecore spark plug wires, Optima Red Top 830  Battery Redline synth fluids (trans= MT-90, xfer & diff= SPHvy) Cryoed rotors, R4S pads, braided  lines, red calipers Michelin Pilot XGT-Z4 245/45ZR17, Top Speed: 171 mph G-Tech Pro: 0-60 4.79  sec, 1/4 13.16 sec @ 113.9 mph 1 Feb 99 Dyno Session: 367 SAE HP, 354 lb-ft torque
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 12:39:12 -0700
From: "Labonte, Dan" <DLabonte@SturmanIndustries.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
Just turned 83K on my 94 VR4.  I'm the second owner and bought this car specifically to race and  drive hard.  Driveline is still ticking away (wait what.. where is that ticking coming  from...I'll get back to you
 
Dan
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 11:37:36 -0800
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Team3S: race event
 
Just a reminder to them of youze who want to actually have fun with your car --- California  Speedway in Fontana March 7-8-9. 2.8 mile Grand Am course, part oval part infield. Friday is a  test and tune for race cars and street cars --- probably lots track time on Friday  [ I'll check  with someone ]. They even have air conditioned garages available for a mere $125 --- a good  storage spot if we get a few folks together to share rent.
 
        Jim Berry
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 12:43:45 -0700
From: "Labonte, Dan" <DLabonte@SturmanIndustries.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
That would make only 78,000 more to go to cover the 91-99 production run of Mitsubishis.  We are  on our way.  A few more samples and we will be able to calculate the Mean and standard deviation  of tranny failures within a 95% confidence level.
 
Dan
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 12:03:11 -0800
From: Andrew Woll <awoll1@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
Your story is my story Shawn. My 93 TT has 120k on it with the original trans. I hate  to shift  in the lower gears because of the grinding but it still runs and does not pop out of gear. I  count myself lucky.
 
Andy
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Shawn Keren" <nouveau3@attbi.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 10:11 AM
 
> My '92 VR4 has 125,000 miles on the original tranny. There has never
> been any work on either it or the transfer case, that I am aware of.
> Aside from a slight notch between 1st and 2nd, while shifting
> quickly, both the tranny and transfer case are solid. No leaks in
> either. When I purchased the car I replaced all drivetrain fluids
> with redline fluids and actually the notchiness between 1st and 2nd
> got better. As far as I know the car has never been raced, the
> original owner lived in Nevada and put almost 60,000 miles on it in
> the first 2 years, meaning that for the last 9 years it has averaged
> less than 7500 miles per year.
> From all of the horror stories that I've heard about the drivetrain
> in these cars I consider myself quite lucky.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 15:07:37 -0500
From: "Joseph Spainhour" <spainhou@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Team3S: 94 steering wheel on a 93
 
Hello Everyone,
 
  My steering wheel has had it, all scuffed up and faded. I came across one from a 94 3000gt and  am wondering if it will work with my 93 airbag.
 
Also, does anyone know the part number for the fuel injector harness/holder? It is the black  plastic piece that connects to the plenum.
 
Thanks,
 
Joseph
93 vr4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 15:08:51 -0500
From: "Joshua G. Prince" <joshua@unconundrum.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
But grinding is the failure of the synchro(s)!  I think almost everyone
*can* drive with the synchro(s) gone but it is the weak link.  The synchro is the whole problem,  not really the entire transmission.  If you were under warranty, you would have the transmission  replaced due to the synchro(s).  Of course now we can buy the cynchro(s) but who is qualified to  rip out transmissions apart and put them back together 100% properly?  Maybe Kormex, I haven't  spoken with them or whether they are buying new synchros now that they are available. 
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 15:12:39 -0500
From: songsay@cs.com
Subject: Team3S: survey time
 
I am on my third transmission, going on my fourth this summer.  I race and use it as a daily  driver. The previous owner put less than 800 miles per year on it. I on the other hand put about  15,000 per year. Perhaps from now on it will be less, since I am getting tired of driving the  Alaskan highway. Though I might say, our cars make a 3500 mile trip just dandy. In my opinion,  the gearbox gets a 6 out of 10. 
 
                                                 songsay
                                       92 vr4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 15:20:20 -0500
From: "Walter D. Best" <wdb039@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
Oh I guess I should add that I switched to Mobil 1 (75W-90) at about 1000 miles, in the trans,  transfer and diff.
 
Dave Best
For polishing and powder coating check out http://gofastgoodies.com
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Walter D. Best" <wdb039@erols.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 3:17 PM
 
> Add me to the Matt list, had my 92 VR-4 since it was new has 109,000
> on it now and still not one problem.  Heck I am still on the OE clutch
> too.
>
> Dave Best
> For polishing and powder coating check out http://gofastgoodies.com
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 14:37:12 -0600
From: AINut <ainut1@telocity.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
I bought my '94 VR-4 with 60k miles on it.  It now has 104k miles and has always
had the hard to shift into 1st, 2nd, and occasionally 3rd -- but ONLY when cold
outside and tranny cold.  Does this mean my synchros are going out?  It almost
never does it in summer.
 
The "parts" for my recall repair are supposedly on their way to Satan even now.
 
I usually drive normally, but of course, once in a while we have to push the
horses just so they don't get constipated.
 
AI Nut
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 14:40:32 -0600
From: AINut <ainut1@telocity.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
Maybe it's time we get together a group buy from Kormex or Getrash and get all
our synchros replaced.  Depending upon cost, I'm in.
 
What's this about synchros only versus all 3 assemblies?
 
AI Nut
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 16:02:07 -0500
From: "Walter D. Best" <wdb039@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
I am with Matt on this one, had my 92 VR-4 since it was new has 109,000 on it now and still not  one problem.  Heck I am still on the OE clutch too.
 
 Dave Best
For polishing and powder coating check out http://gofastgoodies.com
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 16:17:14 -0500
From: "Andre and Sylvia Cerri" <cerri@contractor.net>
Subject: RE: Team3S: 94 steering wheel on a 93
 
I used some black leather dye and it came up a treat - good as new, and mine was pretty bad.
 
It's called Esquire Instant Coloring - $6, and I hardly used any of it.
 
Andre
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Spainhour
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 3:08 PM
 
Hello Everyone,
 
  My steering wheel has had it, all scuffed up and faded. I came across one from a 94 3000gt and  am wondering if it will work with my 93 airbag.
 
Also, does anyone know the part number for the fuel injector harness/holder? It is the black  plastic piece that connects to the plenum.
 
Thanks,
 
Joseph
93 vr4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 13:18:35 -0800
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
FWIW --- now that the parts are available the parts cost is minimal but the cost of
pulling the trans and the labor to crack the trans is where to big dollar costs are. The  transmission internals are pretty basic --- any reputable tranny shop should be able to replace  parts. That being said a reconditioned unit from Kormex is probably still a good deal.
 
        Jim Berry ====================================================
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 13:36:15 -0800
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Transmission Misery
 
> From: "rsaylors" <rsaylors@swbell.net>
> > I recently bought a 91 Stealth for my daughter.  It has the 5 speed
> > and constantly pops out of 1st gear.  I took it to the Mitsubishi
> > dealer and was told it needs a new synchronizer.  I took it to a
> > respected local mechanic who told me the same thing.  He suggested > > buying a rebuilt  transmission as he does not do rebuilding.  My
> > question is, where can you find a good, reliable source for
> > transmissions for this car.
> > Thanks,
> > Rick
- -----------------------
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
> Kormex in San Diego area does a great job and has rebuilt units ---
> I don't have their number but a search should turn one up.
>         Jim Berry
- ----------------------
 
Yes, our Search Page will probably turn up a hundred or more references to Kormex.  OR..., you  can just simply look in the Team3S FAQ Index--
 
In the first section - (The Basics) click the link for "Preferred Dealers - New and Used Parts".   That page lists Kormex and EastCoast for tranny work, and oh..., maybe three HUNDRED other  dealers, vendors, and parts sources! www.Team3S.com/FAQ.htm
 
Best,
Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 14:33:33 -0800
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Team3S: Leaking Transmission - Survey Time - Reality Check
 
- ----- Original Message -----
> At 02:51 PM 1/17/03 -0800, Gross, Erik wrote:
> >>Merritt wrote:>> *just kidding. Our trannies do seem to go out at
> >>about 65,000 miles, though.
> >
> >C'mon now, be reasonable with the blanket statements.
> >Yeah, some people have transaxle issues around the 60K mark, but
> >some people have problems earlier.  And some people have 150,000+
> >miles on their original transaxle.>  ---E.G.
 
From: <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
> A couple of years ago, somebody on this list or 3Si or the blue light
> list or somewhere ran a survey of folks that had tranny problems.
> 65,000 was the magic number -- the average where most synchro
> problems occurred with 6 speed Getrags. I bet they are in the
> archives somewhere.
- -------------------------------->
 
It's not an "average".  It's merely a number.  Like most other 'surveys', the results can be  skewed to back up whatever argument is on the agenda.  Sample
numbers:  Out of ~20 tranny failures reported in the "survey", ~10 failures happened at ~65k  miles, so that must mean 50% fail around 65k, right?  WRONG.
 
20 failures were reported in the survey.  ~1000 were not.  The 10 which failed at 65k represent  roughly ONE percent of our members (Team3S & Team3S Racers) who were given the "survey".  OK...,  so that's roughly TWO percent of our members who have Getrags.  Statistically, this number is  unimportant, until you multiply the number of reported failures at 65,000 miles by TEN!...  (20%  failure rate is the "magic number" at which statisticians wake up and say, "Duh..., we might  have a problem...").
 
Getrags are troublesome to more than a normal number of members *who drive these cars hard*.   Some of us don't even KNOW we're driving them hard.  And some of us *do* know.  That more than  an expected number of Getrags fail at
*some* point IS an issue.  BUT...  You've got to put things in perspective-- We discuss problems  on this list.  We don't discuss NOT having problems.  And the only reason it's such a noticeable  issue to us is that we have had to resort to outsourcing with outfits like Kormex because of the  lack of support from Mitsubishi when a Getrag goes bad.
 
Most owners with Getrags will NEVER have a problem, but there IS a greater-than-normal chance of  a failure relative to what we have seen with other high-performance cars.  That's the ONLY fact  we can state with certainty.  It's unfair to categorize the Getrag issue as a "given" at 65k (or  any other mileage point) and scare the pants off the vast majority of 3S/Getrag owners who will  never, *ever* have the problem.
 
Do the math, dammit!  Include the other folks on other lists...  Maybe 2000 owners, total?   Maybe 50% with turbos?  So let's call it 1000 3S/Getrag owners whom we can reach.  Now..., I  *challenge* you to find even 200 of them who have had transmission failures.  Which would be  20%.  If you can, it would still be an *awful* number.  But it would still be MILES away from a  "certainty"!!!
 
If you take a car with this much power (even stock), and you (or a service
tech?) grind the gears a few times, the life of that tranny is shortened. Gee..., ya think?  If  you add HP mods and grind it, that's even more stress. In our case, ET was driving our Stealth,  screaming up the straight as she passed a Porsche at Laguna Seca, and she speed-shifted to 4th  right in front of the flagman..., er..., I mean she *almost* shifted to 4th..., and you could  hear the gears grind even over the sound of the straight-pipes Daytona that was on the straight.   Unfortunately, I even got it on film (and painfully accurate audio), but I didn't get a shot of  all the faces around me with that "screwed up" look that said "OUCH!".  ALL of us knew that  *probably* meant a new tranny pretty soon...  But I was SURE of it when it was my run, and on  the same straight, at the same spot, I missed 4th too!  Those DAMN transmissions...!  ;-)
 
- --Forrest
(...holstering his silver slide rule...)
"The Lottery is for people who are bad at math!"
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 17:53:02 -0500
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
For Rich's sanity sake of keeping track of all this and to save the list from the chatter - here  is a quick link.  I'll update it when I get updates.  Email me your name, car year, car model,  miles at time of trouble or current miles and a note stating no troubles or if it is showing  wear.
 
http://www.team3s.com/~dschilberg/Getrag/
 
- --Flash!
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 17:28:16 -0600
From: "merritt@cedar-rapids.net" <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
Subject: Team3S: Re: Survey Time - Reality Check
 
>Do the math, dammit!  Include the other folks on other lists...  Maybe
>2000 owners, total?  Maybe 50% with turbos?  So let's call it 1000
>3S/Getrag owners >whom we can reach.  Now..., I *challenge* you to find
>even 200 of them who >have had transmission failures.  Which would be
>20%.
>
The only thing wrong with your argument is that 90 percent of the people on this list are  lurkers and do not post, whether their trannies are good or bad. The ones who post are the  experts, wizards, helpful souls, people with questions and, of course, loudmouths and  troublemakers like me.
 
So you have maybe 100 active posters at any given time. If 20 of those report tranny problems,  there's your 20%. We're 1/3 of the way to that goal right now, and it's still Saturday.
 
And let's not just call them tranny FAILURES, as in a complete breakdown. I suspect there are  dozens of people driving around hearing their trannies grind going into 2nd and don't give it a  second thought. They probably think it's normal. IMHO, if the tranny GRINDS, it has a synchro  failure, and should be reported to the survey as such.
 
Here's my test:  Get the car rolling at 10-15 mph or so, push the clutch all the way in, and  execute a FAST 1-2 or 3-2 shift. Not a drag racing speed shift, not a full power shift...just a  FAST shift. If you hear a grind, it's a bad synchro. That's all it took to convince the service  manager, mechanic and warranty rep that mine was bad.
 
I also think that a leaky tranny is a problem, although not as severe as a bad synchro. 
 
Folks, please send a brief note to Flash with name, car year, car model, miles at time of  trouble, or current miles and a note stating no troubles or if it is showing wear. Go to:
 
http://www.team3s.com/~dschilberg/Getrag
 
and follow the directions.
 
Please don't respond to this list.
 
We can draw statistical results from THE PEOPLE WHO POST AN ANSWER to the question.
 
If half of those who respond have synchro problems and half don't, then 50% of our trannies  fail. So far, half the people who have responded had failures (7 of 14 cars)
 
If most of the failures occur at around 65,000 miles, that's significant. Right now, the average  appears to be 50,000 miles.
 
Of course it ain't 100% accurate, but it's a pretty good indicator that I'm right about our  transmissions. Boy, it sure would be nice to be right about something for a change.
 
Rich
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 15:37:08 -0800
From: "Bradford J. Gay" <bradfordjgay@charter.net>
Subject: Team3S: 1997 VR-4 On eBay
 
Okay, after an interesting visit by the possible buyer, my VR-4 is now on eBay at  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2400658774
.  He refused to go any higher than $24K and said "...it wasn't as nice as I had expected..."   If you want more of the story, please e-mail me off list.
 
- -Brad
 1997 3000GT VR-4
 1991 Galant VR-4 #1253/2000
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 16:26:56 -0800
From: Andrew Woll <awoll1@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
The real question is why we should all be forced to look at tranny problems at all. I have had  too many cars and trucks to think about. VW's, Chevy's, BMW's, Datsuns, etc. Most of them I  bought with over a 100k and sold with over 300k on them. Not one of them ever had a bad tranny.  Many needed clutches, brakes, alternators, radiators, etc, but NONE had a trans that went bad.  For the price 3s sold for the trans should never go bad without really hard use. I will bet that  most on the list don't really shift hard. Even the track people tend to shift carefully.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 18:28:12 -0600 (CST)
From: Geoff Mohler <gemohler@www.speedtoys.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
Andrew, meet cold hard reality.  :)
 
No..not a slam.  Just that not all manufacturers place reliability at the same level..and then  rarely between models within the same company.
 
I've got this purty new Z06..with about what, 4-5 years of model history under it now, and at  2600mi my first expected trip to the dealer comes up.
 
Gas gauge goes dead.  reboot the car..all is fine..but its picky for the next tank of gas.
 
You'd think a _$60,000_ car wouldn't have this $5 problem..but, it does.
 
Its just unique to the C5..no other GM product has the issue.
 
Vr4s get to enjoy the tranny issue.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 17:28:50 -0800
From: Andrew Woll <awoll1@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
I agree Jeff. a 60k car should not have a five dollar problem. But a 45k car should not have a  2-3k problem either and 2-3k with the car out of commission for weeks at a dealer is a little  different than a $5 problem quickly resolved. Believe me, I have no problem with regular  maintenance issues. When major parts of the car don't work right I think it is important to  know. If I had known the tranny's on our cars were so subject to going into the dumper I would  have paid less for the car, or maybe not bought one at all.  Just my thoughts.
 
Have a great Sunday
 
Andy
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 20:12:30 -0600 (CST)
From: Geoff Mohler <gemohler@www.speedtoys.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
100% agreed.  remember I've had two of em..and had to replace two of em as well.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 20:56:48 -0600
From: AINut <ainut1@telocity.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
And Getrash used to have such a fine reputation.  Probably why Mitsu went with
them for the design(?) and production(?).  I suspect very substandard metals in
our transmissions.  Did someone try to save a nickel per car???  And then this
horsepuckey about "can't replace individual parts" in the tranny?  You KNOW that
that's greed talking.
 
AI Nut
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 23:06:23 -0500
From: Shawn <skbdogman@comcast.net>
Subject: Team3S: Tranny
 
I'm fairly new to the board here but wanted to give you the details on my tranny.  Thanks for  all of the insightful dialog by the way!
 
I have a bone stock 91 VR4 with 77K on it.  The tranny shifts great as long as you don't try to  be real quick about it.  It never grinds however.  When the weather is cold, like it is now in  MD, it actually is a little harder to move the shifter until the trans and fluid warm up.
 
The only problem I have with the car right now is that the Tach dies when I shift, clutch  depressed, and the rear defroster goes on and off.  It happens at idle, or up to speed.  Is the  clutch switch providing some kind of bizarre path to ground or what.  It only happens on the way  down.  When the clutch is fully depressed everything works fine.  I tired to see if this problem  has been listed before but came up empty.
 
Thanks for all of the great info,
Shawn
 
1991 Jamaican Blue Metallic VR4 (Bone Stock)
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 22:33:52 -0600
From: Jon Paine <ppainej@attglobal.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Tranny
 
Might be a momentary contact with the wiring harness by one of the
moving parts in the clutch pedal assy. If the harness has gotten pulled
out of position the clutch pedal may have worn thru the wire insulation
and is making contact as it moves past the harness. At least, that would
explain the defogger. The ground for the tach is through that part of
the harness but the signal wiring is through the upper harness... might
be worth checking though.
 
Beyond that I don't see anything in common between the tach and the
clutch/defog circuits.
 
Jon
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 21:05:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Anthony Tse <tse1631@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
My 92 VR4 has 98500 mi. with the original
transmission. 1-2 synchros are bad but still running.
Chunk noise when shifting even from neutral to 1st
gear. Anthony
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 09:45:19 -0500
From: "Ryan Coffren" <rcoffren@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: survey time
 
'93 VR-4, 120K+
The only problem I have is my 5th gear synchro is gone.
 
Previous owner put a lot of highway miles on it, but it's the Boston suburb area, so there is  plenty of stop-and-go traffic to put the tranny through it's paces.
 
Ryan
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 09:05:14 -0700
From: "Donald Ashby" <dashbyiii@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: survey time
 
'93 VR-4 97K
When I bought the car 5,000 miles ago the 2nd and 3rd gear ratios were crunching going in, you  could still go into gear, but it was difficult and made a crunching noise. Has Mitsu replace  them once I bought the car. Month or so after that (Once the temporary warranty expired) the 2nd  gear synchro started going bad. I can't shift into second faster then 40 MPH or it grinds  horribly, under 40 mph it crunches going in but still shifts fine. Donald Ashby '93 3000GT VR-4  "Don't drink and park, accidents cause people!"
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 11:03:11 -0500
From: "Bedrock" <bedrock@attbi.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
My 91 stock is sleeping right now but when awake she has the original transmission w/Red Line  and it too hits the synchro stop on the way into 1 - 2 if its shifted slow, if fast it will go  in no problem.
 
Bob
White/Red 91 RT/TT, Original at 137,000+
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 11:21:38 -0600
From: "Matt Jannusch" <mjannusch@attbi.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Survey time
 
> Oh I guess I should add that I switched to Mobil 1 (75W-90) at about
> 1000 miles, in the trans, transfer and diff.
>
> Dave Best
 
Swap that out for either Redline MTL/MT-90 or BG Synchroshift II.  The Mobil 1 synthetic eats  away at the brass in the synchros.  Certainly not something you want to occur.  (Or at least it  did when I talked with Mobil a while ago - maybe they changed the formula?)
 
- -Matt
'95 3000GT Spyder VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 13:36:27 -0500
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Survey time
 
There is a hiccup in the DNS for my personal website and they are responding slowly so the  Getrag survey site has been moved to my Team3S site.
 
Please submit a survey for both good and bad trannies.
 
http://www.team3s.com/~dschilberg/Getrag/
 
- --Flash!
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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End of Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth V2 #57
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