Is there a year that doesn't suffer the 2nd gear issues? I let it go on way to long (babying it into 2nd to avoid grinding) to the point 2nd gear will not engage at all, just grinds no matter how careful.

A shop had quote me $1,400 to replace to replace the synchro and some kind of housing for it, but this was before I screwed 2nd gear up so badly. Now I figure I will just replace it. I would like it if the replacement didn't have this same 2nd gear that seems to be notorious on EM2's.

Along with that, how can you tell what tranny you have? Mine got replaced under warranty years ago and the car acted differently afterwards, like longer gears. Doesn't matter now that the tranny is on it's way out, was just wondering.

 

What do you mean by longer gears? I coukd be wrong but i was told its better on a tranny to baby/ease into it by givig it on off gas than just gasing into it heavily

 

If it had longer gears, it was likely an LX transmission.

I've seen completely rebuilt transmissions, with warranties, for well-under $1,000. I'd shop around a bit. That $1,400 quote is excessively high, IMO.

 

Ok, I found a shop that finances and includes a 2 year warrenty. And it is more around $1,000. They said they will just rebuild and repair to avoid the chance of issues with a used transmission.