I picked up my EK hatch with a k20z1 swap about a month ago, he let me take it for a spin, I managed to grind 3rd gear and he made it seem like my own fault "ooooh careful.."

Now almost every time I go from 2nd to 3rd it smashes itself out and grinds and it's awful, if I keep the clutch depressed and hold it in 3rd for a second longer you can feel it fully engage the gear. (Clunks in)

Basically if I'm careful and shift slowly I can use 3rd gear, but the main question is for how long? Also how hard is it to replace the synchro set? Would it be better to just save up and buy a z3 LSD tranny? Is it bolt on?

Thanks for any help.

 

save & buy lsd tranny bolts on

 

Unfortunately you should have known at the time whether that grind was your fault or not. OR had someone else drive it and check it over (aka MECHANICS OPINION).

I would have tried the same shift again, making sure that it damn well wasn't my fault, and when it grinds, tell the seller to drop the price so I can get it fixed -- or better yet, walk away.

 

It's going to need more than syncros. K-series trannys suck, the engagement teeth on the gears wear in ways that we just never saw on D and B-series trannys even now that they're getting close to 20 years old. You'll most likely need the gearset, new sleeve, hub and synchro for 3rd. You may also have a bent shift fork.