Problem: The trans is slipping out of 5th gear between 65 and 75 mph (only have 250 miles on new motor so im taking it easy)

Setup: 97ek. Recently swapped in a jdm b16 and trans. Shift linkage is from a 99si with DC sport short shifter.
Installed a ACT flywheel and grdy stage 1 clutch as well as GSR trans and I still have the problem. Everything else is pretty much stock.

Ive noticed that the driver side torque mount was not sitting center and pulled hard to the rear so I installed polyurethane inserts, it sits more center now. I also have inserts on the top left and lower right mount.

I dented the floor board on the driver side jacking the car up its not too bad, I don't think its bad enough to have pulled the frame but I could be wrong.

Im not sure what to check, should I sell my arm and get it checked on one of those frame alignment things? Need to know what to check.

 

1. Why was the motor mounts not lining up to begin with before the poly inserts?

2. When 5th gear pops out, is it when you let off and it slips out?... Does it forcefully pop out???...

I'm sure a frame alignment machine wouldn't cost too much to get it checked out. But if you can tell the frame is bent then you probably ought to at some point get it fixed. I bought my car with a bent front, drivers area/rad support, but it never made the tranny mess up.

 

For Item 1) thats what Id like to know...Im not sure what (and how) to check other than the frame though.

2) it slips out around 4000-4500 rpm. Ill just be cruising at more or less constant speed and it will slip. I notice because the rpms shoot up and of course I start to slow down their is no loud pop or anything though, its actually pretty quiet.

 

gonna have a friend look at it today...still looking for ideas though!

 

More than likely... the tranny popping out of gear is the synchro. There could be a few things causing it... but you won't know unless you pull the tranny out and get in there. Synchro could be worn or something else could be as well leading to the synchro problem.

A friend's GSR tranny did the same thing in 5th and sometimes 3rd. Mainly when load was lifted off of the tranny (just letting off the throttle a bit while cruising). I'm not gonna give you the standard "check the tranny fluid level" because I'm sure that's fine. But check that if you'd like.

I still can't imagine the cause of the gear popping out is the frame though. Good luck. Keep us updated.

 

Thanks, now I have two trannies so getting a rebuild will be no big deal (except the $$$). Im still gonna look into that thing with the left torque mount. Fluid levels should be good, 2.5 quarts of honda manual trans fluid, and a new crush washer.

 

You're fine with the normal trans stuff then. Just gotta look to the synchros.

Definately check the mount out though. To be honest, my driver's torque mount insert does stick out a bit more than the other one. And the frame is slightly kinked up front on mine.