A couple simple questions

[rstray]

1. How do I test for a boost leak?
2. How do i get my a-pillars off to take out the headliner?
3. How do I adjust my shifter? Im having trouble getting it into 5th gear...i mean 5th gear is there, just the shifter seems to hang up on the shifter plate.
4. yesterday I started my car and started driving down my driveway and I had the clutch all the way to the floor, and when i went to shift from 1st to second, i had a very fast and short grind...only happend one time. From every other shift from 1st to 2nd was smooth as butter. Then after i was at work for 8hrs and the engine was cold. the same thing happend the first time i shifted from 1st to 2nd on the way home....any ideas???

 

[DSMcrazy3]

8 hrs. is quite enough time for an engine to cool off...The grinding noise you hear is usually your syncronizer for whichever gear you're going into...in your case 2nd. When you rip it into 2nd you will hear that grind. When you go in easy(normal shift) you will be fine. Just a sign of tranny wear. It shouldn't really be overlooked, but is by most people..Me included..(Usually drivable for quite some time)

Josh

 

[szewczyd]

For question number one, here is directions to build a boost leak tester. You hook this up where your intake attches to your turbo: http://www.vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html

For number two, I believe on 1g's if I can remember correctly, they are held in by plastic clips which will snap out with a little force(not breaking them).

For number three, the first thing that I would do is change the tranny fluid. There are a variety of good products, but from my experience, I love to use BG synchroshift:
http://dsmparts.com/customer/home.php?cat=18

Others that are more easily available are Pennzoil Synchromesh and Royal Purple Synchromax.(Autozone, Napa, Major Car dealership)

Another thing that many have done to improve the shifting is a bushing kit:
http://dsmparts.com/customer/home.php?cat=19
Or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Unde...ryZ33736QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
There is a under the hood and in the car shifter kits just for your information.

Also keep in mind that these dsm trannies are known for weaknesses with the synchro's.
These two things that I have shown you are not expensive nor difficult to do, so I say give them a try.

P.S I see you live in Germantown, that isn't too far from me, if you ever need a hand, pm me. Good Luck!

 

[DSM90AWD]

1. How do I test for a boost leak?

Build THIS

2. How do i get my a-pillars off to take out the headliner?

Plastic clips that will break of you've not careful (50% of mine broke ) and velcro.

. How do I adjust my shifter? Im having trouble getting it into 5th gear...i mean 5th gear is there, just the shifter seems to hang up on the shifter plate

The 1990 cables have two adjustment turnbuckles at the shifter plate to fine-tune the shifting. Check the VFAQ for a how to.

4. yesterday I started my car and started driving down my driveway and I had the clutch all the way to the floor, and when i went to shift from 1st to second, i had a very fast and short grind...only happend one time. From every other shift from 1st to 2nd was smooth as butter. Then after i was at work for 8hrs and the engine was cold. the same thing happend the first time i shifted from 1st to 2nd on the way home....any ideas???

Cold oil is more viscus/less fluid than warm fluid. Change the transmission fluid out with BG Syncroshift or GM Syncromesh and the shifts will be much better. As szewczyd mentioned there is a nice shifter bushing kit available which replaces the OEM ruber-filled ones giving you crisper shifts