Majestic Moose

So my 5 speed has the typical trashed synchros, I will guess due to badly worn shifter bushings and totally missing bushing on the clutch release fork when I got the car. I am weighing my options of rebuilding this gearbox or swapping in a later one with improved synchros. I have only driven my '89 5 speed a couple times but the impression I have is that it is so lovely and smooth and makes the other feel like a stubborn tractor. Of course it is not a really fair comparison but I would like that kind of experience in my '83.

Another advantage is that it would be cheaper to get a good used later gearbox than a total rebuild of mine. From what I can tell, it should be a direct swap since the TT have the same part number, though the shift rods are different. I am not sure if the speedometer sender is different. Also, depending on where I look, my final drive is either 2.26 or 2.36 and the later trans are 2.20 so that is a little bit of a disadvantage.

Has anyone done a swap or have any tips?

GlenL

Yes, I have. It's basically bolt-in compatible. Check the tranny mount P/Ns. The final drive may be different and the shifter action is shorter. Otherwise, differences in feel are more related to health of the transmission.

Majestic Moose

Yes the mounts and cross member part numbers are the same. Were you able to reuse the old shift rods?

GlenL

Yes, those are the same.

When I did the installation, there was something wrong with the mounts and I needed to swap one out. I didn't research it but the mounts didn't line up with the cradle. Looking at the PET, the P/Ns are all the same, left and right and over the years after '79. Not sure what came with the transmission so maybe it had the wrong part on it. I got the BW tranny from an acquaintance who was, in turn, given it so no idea what was on it.

Here's a link to a post on this: http://reutterwerk.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=112

hacker-pschorr

+1

Two of my early cars (with the early transmission) shift like butter, even when cold.

As I've theorized in other threads, if these cars been equipped with a traditional single disc clutch, we wouldn't have so many with bad transmissions.

Landseer

Jim doerr & I put 86.5 into 84 euro. Very straightforward. There might be a minor difference in the profile of the stubs to which the axles mount. The 83 cv joints are wider and iirc don't use the grease caps. But you can ignore it. Use the 83 bolts.

the difference is night/day going from a bad shifting trans to a good shifting trans. Great upgrade, though its really just a way to avoid costly repair.

danglerb

Any used transmission, even the borg types should be rebuilt before you install them, nor would I expect the net cost to be less than fixing yours.

Landseer

Yeah, and every old car should be scrapped and a new one bought.

Swap the trans, DRIVE IT, enjoy!

Rebuild only if it doesnt shift right.

danglerb

I guess it depends on what you like doing, rebuilding a transmission sounds like fun to me, and has a very high chance of positive results. R&R of the transmission is clearly work, not fun, with lots of potential downside, like transmission "almost" shifts well, or makes a noise or vibration, or impending doom clearly has that spring that breaks, broken and loose in the case.

Majestic Moose

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I am going to give it a try. I am purchasing a unit from 928 intl but with no history unfortunately. I will check with Greg Brown's shop to have them inspect it before it is shipped cross country to me. That way I can be assured that I am swapping in a good trans and be done.