Smashed a box last night...

[spacca]

Blew my first gearbox last night :eek:
Was playing with a beamer, snapped it into second and 'snap', there goes 2nd gear. Had to drive half an hour home with some horrific noises coming from the box. Was just waiting for a metal chunk to lodge itself into 3rd or 4th gear and destroy them but luckily avoided that.

Must say I'm not that upset. Gives me an excuse to upgrade to a stronger glass box :tu

On that note, anyone round Sydney who can point me in the direction of a nice box, let me know :)

[Mister Two]

my02+ GD WRX 5MT boxes are stronger apparently. And they run 4.44 diff also which helps to take some load off the gearset.

[gradg]

que sexual innuendo about nice boxes....

[rs guy]

straight cuts ................................

[Fergo]

sexual innuendo aye...
1.well firstly you want to find yourself a nice tight box....a very loose box has obviously had the guts thrashed out of her....
2.a well second hand box can also be distinguished by its filthy dirty distugusting look and foul odour..
3.ohh and watch out for one that leaks...if it leaks even if its empty and you havent even put your dipstick in her yet to check her level of lubrication....well just walk away from that one ok....

[danny40]

sexual innuendo aye...
1.well firstly you want to find yourself a nice tight box....a very loose box has obviously had the guts thrashed out of her....
2.a well second hand box can also be distinguished by its filthy dirty distugusting look and foul odour..
3.ohh and watch out for one that leaks...if it leaks even if its empty and you havent even put your dipstick in her yet to check her level of lubrication....well just walk away from that one ok....

we still talking about gear boxs?

number 1 is the best advice

[Fergo]

it applies to both really... but back on topic Just buy yourself an sti box and be done with it.

[subarursliberty]

ichiban. Cheap but will be older gen's. Under $1000 last time I rang them but you need to check the ratio.

[christuffa]

straight cut...but not m r t. They tried to quote me $25k the other day just for a 2.5L motor, I am sure their gearboxes would be about $15k lol

[SNOWGT]

it applies to both really... but back on topic Just buy yourself an sti box and be done with it.

lol :)

[GeMiNeYe]

mrt, when i was looking for a new box they quoted me $5300 for a dog box...
dog boxes are the way 2 go...

[smoov]

Blew my first gearbox last night :eek:
Was playing with a beamer, snapped it into second and 'snap', there goes 2nd gear. Had to drive half an hour home with some horrific noises coming from the box. Was just waiting for a metal chunk to lodge itself into 3rd or 4th gear and destroy them but luckily avoided that.

Must say I'm not that upset. Gives me an excuse to upgrade to a stronger glass box :tu

On that note, anyone round Sydney who can point me in the direction of a nice box, let me know :)
Metro Mechanical, on Forest Road, Lugarno. (Trade also as "All Drive Subaroo"
(02) 9584 0379

Ebay link here...sorry haters! no bidding here... (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-ADS-Hybrid-WRX-manual-transmission-gearbox_W0QQitemZ270110168708QQihZ017QQcategoryZ32 636QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Apparently 16 years of subaru g/b experience. For about $2700, they do a "hybrid" gearbox, where they take the strongest gears out of all subaru boxes, and put them into a late 8 bolt case. Apparently they also use an early centre diff, to make "the strongest OEM" gearbox.

I had my gearbox repaired with them, (worn 1st, synchros 2 & 3 replaced, a couple of sliders replaced, a stub replaced) and they appeared to do a good job. *so far*! Reasonable prices too. They even gave me a courtesy car for a couple of days! Nice clean workshop, and courteous people too.

Be warned though: They're prices are pre GST, and they charge $300 for gearbox removal and refit.

But, it was a rather painless experience with them.

[spacca]

Metro Mechanical, on Forest Road, Lugarno. (Trade also as "All Drive Subaroo"
(02) 9584 0379

Ebay link here...sorry haters! no bidding here... (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-ADS-Hybrid-WRX-manual-transmission-gearbox_W0QQitemZ270110168708QQihZ017QQcategoryZ32 636QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Apparently 16 years of subaru g/b experience. For about $2700, they do a "hybrid" gearbox, where they take the strongest gears out of all subaru boxes, and put them into a late 8 bolt case. Apparently they also use an early centre diff, to make "the strongest OEM" gearbox.

I had my gearbox repaired with them, (worn 1st, synchros 2 & 3 replaced, a couple of sliders replaced, a stub replaced) and they appeared to do a good job. *so far*! Reasonable prices too. They even gave me a courtesy car for a couple of days! Nice clean workshop, and courteous people too.

Be warned though: They're prices are pre GST, and they charge $300 for gearbox removal and refit.

But, it was a rather painless experience with them.

This sounds very interesting...
Might give it a look in.
Anyone else know of these guys?

[troopa]

I went down to speak to the guys earlier this year regarding their boxes. As smoov has said they said they get a combination of OEM gearsets from japland to make what they say is the strongest oem gearbox available. All the costs add up though, 2700 for the box, 300 for install and then you need a rear diff to suit.

They couldn't tell me exactly what gearsets they were going to use because it would be like giving away their R&D or some crap.

Anyway, its an option.. but at the end of the day are you willing to spend 1/3 of the overall value of your car on a gearbox?

[Bazza]

PPG 1-2 Helical Syncro.... then you can launch all day long. From memory about $3K installed.... don't waste time with 2nd hand late model WRX / STI / hybrid boxes (unless 6 speed) because you'll just break it again.

[rs guy]

PPG 1-2 Helical Syncro.... then you can launch all day long. From memory about $3K installed.... don't waste time with 2nd hand late model WRX / STI / hybrid boxes (unless 6 speed) because you'll just break it again.
totally agree :)

[simeon]

humm dont ya just love ur first... lol I broke mine and rebuilt it cost me a little over 2g with labour. but in hindsight if i was to rebuild agian id spend more and get a nice set or just buy a box and wack it in urself and take ur chances after all bit over 2g could get u about 2 boxes....

[spacca]

PPG 1-2 Helical Syncro.... then you can launch all day long. From memory about $3K installed.... don't waste time with 2nd hand late model WRX / STI / hybrid boxes (unless 6 speed) because you'll just break it again.

Anyone know who I could talk to in Sydney about this (or similar)?

Also, would I be better off getting a newer gearbox case (8 bolt isn't it?) if I go down the road of a PPG Helical or Straight cut?

[Rallyeee]

Anyway, its an option.. but at the end of the day are you willing to spend 1/3 of the overall value of your car on a gearbox?

My box cost me 3 times as much as my car.

[nick e[v]ans]

My box cost me 3 times as much as my car.

Haha thats the ammo i need to prove to the gf that i don't spend that much money on my car.

[troopa]

My box cost me 3 times as much as my car.

Hahaha.. touche!

You do have slightly different circumstances though.. being a GX and all.

[92RSLib]

i smashed this box last week. she was hot

[lib92wagonRS]

i had a good box smash yesterday afternoon with my gf.. it was good she moaned out so loud my neighbours heard

[yods]

your wagon is **** and your gf is a dog.

[Marv]

Easy now, my fuzzy little man peach.

Remember the emails today, no?

[spacca]

Noobs are on fire with these 'jokes'...
Bravo :td
I smashed ya mum last night...was fantastic HAHHAhahhahhaahahoooooohhh.......

[lib92wagonRS]

your wagon is **** and your gf is a dog.
my girlfriend is your mum :D

[lib92wagonRS]

Noobs are on fire with these 'jokes'...
Bravo :td
I smashed ya mum last night...was fantastic HAHHAhahhahhaahahoooooohhh.......


yeah she said you were small

[scooby85]

hey guys, my car is currently with Al due to a blown box too (plus gettin heaps more goodies put in) but at the moment we are just guna replace the box with the same one as b4, a v3 sti 5spd....what do u guys rekon about an alternate idea? i wanna be able to launch reasonably hard....couldnt b assed buying a 6spd..what else is the go?

[spacca]

What's the strongest 5 speed box with a final drive ratio of 4.111?

Not really keen to spend 000's on a box. I only drive the car weekends really, and not that hard (getting old)...
Drags come up once or twice a year and still haven't tracked it. Lots of 'to do's' on my list.

Just after a stronger than standard box that isnt going to cost the earth, and help with the 1/4 mile times :wink:

[spacca]

Well after taking all of your thoughts and suggestions on board (thanks :P ), looks like I'm going with a V3 STi box.

So next question. While I'm having the box & diff changed, should I look to do anything else while they're out?

While the clutch feels ok at the moment, I may as well whack a new one in while the box is off. Any other suggestions?

[Rallyeee]

Exedy HD is popular.

[yods]

No point replacing a clutch that's 70% or better, but I've got an exedy in mine which I guess makes me popular too.

[spacca]

G'day boys

Just called a mechanic and was quoted round $840 to remove and replace gearbox, diff and clutch. Then there'd be oils on top of that.

Sounds a bit excessive to me. He took the times from a book and reckons it gave times for removing the entire engine to get to the gearbox.

Anyway, what would a reasonable cost for removing and replacing a gearbox/clutch/diff?

[91rs]

errr maybe 350-400ish ... thats a massive amount to pay ... he doesnt have to pull the engine out to get the box out either !!! ...

[spacca]

I've gone with a bloke who quoted $600 to remove & replace the box/diff/clutch. That included machining the flywheel and oils. He's meant to be good too (works with WRX rally cars etc).

Blowing a box isn't a cheap exercise....jeezus!
Wish I had the skillz and equipment to do it myself...

[Marv]

So, if you don't mind, what's the total bill? PM me if you don't want it out on the forum.

I've found the biggest hinderance to me doing stuff on my car is a lack of tools and space at my place. A hoist and decent set of tools would be a God-send...

[91rs]

thats not to bad if its including oils, machining fly wheel & remove \ refit box + diff ..
think about it $50 for flywheel machine, 150-200 easy in oils ... so its really only 350-400 labour ...

[spacca]

So, if you don't mind, what's the total bill? PM me if you don't want it out on the forum.

I've found the biggest hinderance to me doing stuff on my car is a lack of tools and space at my place. A hoist and decent set of tools would be a God-send...

I'm looking at around $2,600 - $2,700 for:

v3 STi box and matching diff = $1,400 + delivery
Clutch = $500 + delivery
Labour & extras (oil, flywheel machining) = $600

So I guess it's not terribly bad. I just hope the box is ok.

I live in a unit now and have a small car space in a dark underground garage. So no major DIY anymore unfortunately, unless I visit the olds and scab the old mans tools :wink:

[Hodgey]

Where are you sourcing the box from Spacca?

[Geach]

reckons it gave times for removing the entire engine to get to the gearbox.how about no. if the mechanic has never removed a subaru gearbox before, don't pop his cherry for him with your car. i've done it at least a 2 dozen times with mine/hendo's/billsy's/mark's/random other people cars. once you know what you're doing it doesn't take long.

$600 for in/out labour (gearbox and diff?), machining and oils is OK from a mechanic - prolly charging $55-60 an hour?

not sure where you get $150-200 in oils unless he's using redline, which is ~$120 for 4 litres (enough for gearbox). my money is on him not including that in his price.

[91rs]

not sure where you get $150-200 in oils unless he's using redline, which is ~$120 for 4 litres (enough for gearbox). my money is on him not including that in his price.

Sorry use to being screwed by the local auto one for anything ... castrol box oil cost me about $117 last time + $30something for diff oil ..

[yods]

I'd also like to know where you are getting the box from, seems like a good deal.

[spacca]

Got the box from a forum member in Perth - rpm.
I spoke to him today and he told me he bought a few front cuts in Japan a while ago. He may have a couple more boxes available...

I'm pretty cofident that the $600 included everything as he asked me while working out the quote. There may be GST on top... I'm budgeting around $700 for the mechanic.