I know this seems weird but its true. My shep tranny (race setup) grinds alittle. I dont want to believe its the tranny because it was built by shep. So I want to believe its something else. I have a b&m short shifter, symborski bushings, and brass end cable bushings. I put penzzoil syncromesh in it, and its still grinding alittle sometimes when going into gear. I also have the act 2600 clutch with act flywheel. It shifts the same way if engine is on or off, how can I make this thing shift like butter? I have also adjust my clutch pedal a few times and its always preety much the same. It doesnt always grind, but alot of times it does. Its worse going to 2nd, and 3rd and 4th. Reverse is also alittle grindy sometimes. Can anyone help me out? I think the only thing left of changing is my slave/master cylinders and clutch line.

One possibility could be that your shifter cables are out of adjustment. It's worth looking into. Another thing, I also installed those same brass end cable bushings a few months after my Shep tranny install, and I started having problems with first gear popping out. I put the old rubber ones back in and the problem went away.

How do you go about adjusting shifter cables?

I thought the shifter cables were only adjustable in the 1g's. Can it also be done in my 2g? and how?

What about adjusting the clutch to make sure everything is setup correctly.

How many miles are on the tranny? Just because it was built by Shep doesn't mean it'll last forever, after all parts wear out, he's not god. Clutch issues are the single biggest problem with DSM's and the cause for most transmission problems as well.

Go here.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/clutchandflywheeltech.htm

http://teamrip.com/clutch adjustment.html

Read those pages and make sure everything is perfect before you go blaming something else. The first time I put a clutch in I didn't shim the pivot ball and my disc was dragging. The tranny had the same symptoms you are describing, particularly in 2nd. High RPM and it would grind everytime, on a fresh rebuild. Couldn't figure it out and finally the trans had enough and I shattered the 3/4 sleeve. Live and learn I guess and now I'm going through another trans rebuild. Eventually I'll just have indestructible everything inside and I won't have to do this again.

I just checked my clutch adjustment and seems perfect so far. One thing Im curiouse about is that pivot ball shim, Do I just stick a 1.0-1.5mm washer between the the ball and the tranny? also one thing I should add, I reused the stock throw out bearing because I heard the ACT one can cause problems with the intermediate shaft. Anyone think this could be the cause of the problem, should I switch to ACTs throw out bearing?

Shimming the pivot ball is just a bandaid and a horrible one at that. Go to the dealer, or a good vendor, and buy a new pivot ball and clutch fork. At most they are 60.00 for the pair and then there is no need to shim on already worn out parts, nor any guessing as to what the correct size is. You will be surprised at how well a new fork and ball can feel.

i got a tranny from B&M trannys and the car makes a weird noise when I powershit into 2nd and ALWAYS into 3rd. It doesnt feel like a grind becuase its hard to get into 3rd and 2nd when i power shift, i went to my shop and they said the linkage has to be adjusted..what do you think about that? I blew a tranny before and the niose is different from what it does now..any input would be great, i hope this can help both of us out!

thanks for the responses, Im going to try replacing my fork and pivot ball, Ill let you guys now how it turns out. thanks again

Hrmm I find that shimming comment odd. I have a 92 style tranny, freshly rebuilt from TRE with a brand new clutch fork and ball they told me to shim it 2.0 mm anyway.

I have a 90 turbo block in my 91 TSI though. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. The guys at TRE knew that though as I'm a local and know them pretty good.

Even if it is a part in the tranny itself, call and talk to Shep. I sent my rebuild back once it started grinding (my fault) He just looked it over, replaced the necessary pieces, and charged me for the pieces. No biggie to me. I'm sure he'd do the same, call him, he'll take it back break it down and inspect it for problems and talk to you about it and replace if necessary. Shep is an awesome guy.