I can't post in other forums - how come? + My question

[ivj]

Hey everyone!

I just got my new car, a 97 eclipse gst (in red) and I'm reading to truly make it mine (by taking it apart ). I wanted to ask a question in the tranny forum, but I get a "you can't post here". How come?

Anyway, here's my question:

When I bought this car, the first gear was a little rough going into. I didn't know much about trannies or synchros back then, but I bought it (and I don't regret it). Recently, the first gear started popping out when you start to let go off the clutch. It happens about 50/50, also applying force to the shifter seems to help a bit. Once you start driving, the gear doesn't pop out.

It's a nasty problem which causes me to start in 2nd gear half the time and smell my clutch.

Anyhow, my neighbor, who's a car mechanic told me that it's the synchros that are worn and need to be replaced (since apparently they also do the job of holding the gear in place).

Now I could spend $1,500 and pay someone else to do it, or I can do it myself. What I decided to do is to buy a used civic tranny and take it apart and put it back together, and repeat that about 20 times til I can do it with my eyes closed. Then I'll get under my car and pull my crap out.

So basically I wanted to ask for some general advice.

1) Are there any repair manuals that I can buy that would help me out?
2) It would make sense to replace the synchros on all the gears, right? Where do I buy them and how do I find out my tranny's model # or whatever? (it's stock)
3) While I am at it, what other things should I replace? I hear the throwout bearing also should be replaced when doing tranny work. Is it true?
4) I can't decide whether I should have my current steel flywheel lightened (to about 15 lbs), or buy an aluminum one (9 lbs)... My neighbor tells me that your ACT flywheels and clutches are good for a short amount of time performance and would break down after a few thousand miles. Is it true or not? Can someone suggest a good tradeoff between a performance and reliablity for a clutch and flywheel?
5) Also, do I buy a new clutch or get the current one "grown" somehow?
6) While I'm at it, what else should I check out in there?

Any other advice would also be helpful! Thanks guys and Mitsubishi! You make getting laid easy!

[Quasimondo]

As a new member, you're not allowed to post anywhere but the "newbies" forum. I don't know how many posts it takes before you're allowed to post elsewhere. The moderators will likely move this to the appropriate forum (I hope).

1. eBay sometimes has the Factory Service manual available on CD-ROM. I'm sure somebody else will pipe in for where you can get the FSM as well.

2. Transmission parts should be available from the dealership. The FSM will identify what transmission model you have to order the right parts.

3. Depending on the mileage, you should replace the clutch as well. High mileage cars should have the throwout bearing, clutch fork, and pivot bearing replaced as well. The flywheel should be resurfaced as well.

4. While a lightened flywheel reduces the amount of rotating mass that contributes to drivetrain loss, keep in mind that it will get some getting used to since you would have to slip your clutch a bit more and rev a bit higher to move from a dead stop. Personally, I don't recommend lightening the stock flywheel. If it's not properly done, at high rpm's it can explode sending flywheel bits all over the place.

ACT clutches are good clutches. Aside from a bad batch of pressure plates that had the springs get bent out of shape (I haven't heard of any of them going bad for a while), I personally have had no longevitiy problem with them.

Unless you're going for all out performance, keep the stock flywheel and use an ACT 2100 clutch. Spend the money you would've on a flywheel elsewhere.

[ROOKIE1]

Several things here . As anew member you can only post in site feedback or newbie section . There are rules to this site . http://dsmtuners.com/forums/faq.php?...aq_faq_general . You should always search first , ask second . Look around the site . There is an upgrade path , sorry a "PROVEN" upgrade path . There is VFAQ.COM , very helpful . 1) Haynes if not a chiltons . 2) not sure . 3) Throw out for sure , fork , if high miles slave cylinder . 4) Depends on goals for car . 5) Stupid question , that is why you read first . Buy a new one . 6) Everything .