JACKS TRANSMISSIONS IS DONE WITH DSM's

[KentStateTsi]

Glad I kept all my old cases and gear sets!

 

[black92_tsi_awd]

I guess I'm glad I went RWD with a 4g63T platform. Knock on wood, I haven't broke a trans yet in my Rx7. Was breaking 2 a year with less HP previously. Still build them for friends with the stash of parts I still have, but parts are getting rarer and most don't want to put the cash in a DSM. Was thinking of eventually getting another AWD but without a decent supply of transmissions, it will be tough to consider.

 

[Ludachris]

Good point. For me I don't want to be cheap tho. I want a good service with reasonable price. If I can't afford something I will wait and save up until I do. I do the same with buying my groceries. You know you can spot a grocerie store that charge a little too much (psst...kroger) by comparing prices. If I can get a better price else where I go there. I think there are dsmers out there who are price shoppers like me but don't get me wrong there are people out there just in for the cheap and don't care about quality. Super car people just have money, I bet price is not an issue for them. I believe Dsm people are in the same categories as Honda/srt/Subaru people when it comes to spending. I have a few Honda friends and majority of them love to save money and they take that to the next level

The problem with the "if I find a lower price I'll go there" mentality is that people end up giving their business to the parts pushers who have no knowledge of the products they sell and they're okay with bringing in single digit profit margins in order to gain the business in the market, which hurts all vendors in the market in the long term. There is always a reason why some vendors charge higher prices - either you're paying for their expertise for the vehicle platform or product, the R&D they put into the product, they sell lower volume so they can't sell much cheaper, or in some cases they just want to make a more reasonable profit margin on the parts they're selling.

The term "reasonable price" is relative. In this community it means people want the absolute lowest price, and then they want free shipping on top of that - you said it yourself, you'll find the part you want and then shop around for the best price. And if a vendor can't sell at a decent profit margin they will eventually move on to a market where they can stay in business, it's that simple. And who can blame them?

 

[Archer Fabrications]

It's bad i had a set of springs for sale on link fourms and guy offers me 80$ below asking and i was asking below 200 and after haggling for three days about it and him then asking for free shipping (which was another 40$) i just said no I'm not going to sell this to you. The cheap asses are unreal. I sympathize with the shops.

 

[DSMReviver]

When i say shop around for reasonable price i meant to say between vendors not some random no name specialty shops. Like back when we have the option to choose between shops like Shep, IPT, TRE, Jack, and TMZ (I believe they are good quality shops). I did a lot of shopping around back then and i still do. I guarantee you other people are already doing that as well to get the best prices for their value. If these vendors cannot compete due to part shortage, inability to supply parts, and complain about not making enough money they are better of close. They have the right to do what ever necessary to save their businesses. From a consumer standpoint, people have the right to shop around unless you have money laying around.(I may self don't have that privilege). I work 9-5 for every penny i earned. If a shop complains about not making enough money then they need to go service a more profitable market. In their absent, due to a supply and demand there will always be DSM specialty shops. That is where my business is going to go.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

If our owners would quit shopping for lowest prices and stick with the known good vendors we could at least hang in there a little longer. I love these cars, and glad I have 3 of the same years. I will be looking for another parts car probably, but not like I need one but will in the future it seems.

 

[DSMReviver]

If our owners would quit shopping for lowest prices and stick with the known good vendors we could at least hang in there a little longer. I love these cars, and glad I have 3 of the same years. I will be looking for another parts car probably, but not like I need one but will in the future it seems.

Pretty soon we won't have a choice buddy Will have to go to what ever is left and pay what ever they ask. Let the market capitalization begin!

On the side note, anybody heard back from Jack? I tried emailing them and haven't heard back. I guess they quit cold turkey.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Sorry man, I posted at the same time you did. No offense meant! I am willing to pay to play.

Wish my 98 was a AWD you lucky devil!!!!

 

[DSMReviver]

On the side note, anybody heard back from Jack? I tried emailing them and haven't heard back from them. I guess they quit cold turkey.

Sorry man, I posted at the same time you did. No offense meant! I am willing to pay to play.

Wish my 98 was a AWD you lucky devil!!!!

No worries man we are all just having a really good discussion.

Get them while they are still cold and available, you can always reheat!

This 98 AWD will remain stock forever! I cry when i had to put an aftermarket CD player in The car i am building is 95 GSX.

 

[honda_burner]

Honestly, in regard to the obsolete parts discussed in the beginning of this thread, we are very very lucky Mitsubishi has carried anything for these cars as long as they have. I work for a ford dealer in the parts department, and I'm having trouble getting anything for something as late as 2004. The fact we can even get things for something as early as a 1990 blows my mind to tell you the truth.

They are in no way obligated to keep old parts in stock. It's just tying up revenue for them. I get asked why I can't get some part all the time. It says nowhere that a certain company has to keep parts for a vehicle for "x" amount of years.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I didn't realize how short of a production run the 98's were and when I got mine I was told it was a 97, but was overjoyed when the title showed 98! So my "go fast" car is the first year Talon and the 98 needs a rebuild but is pretty straight....except for (one of my pet peeves) the HACK JOB where the stereo used to be but I have a good looking unit in there now with a nice stereo adaptor that makes it look stock.

 

[bastarddsm]

All you guys are worried about transmissions, but what about blocks and heads? .

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Probably enough of those circulating with the widenrwnge of years and vehicles the 4g came in. Not too many people are blowing holes in blocks or cracking cyl walls (though it does happen) most fail from bearing failure or pump failure leaving a fine block. But this thread is about transmissions so thats what were talkin about

 

[4Lurker4]

When it comes to cheap people, it's just the way they are. I have some cheap friends, doesn't matter what it's for, they're cheap no matter what. Those types of people are attracted to the DSM platform because of the starting cost of such a car. It also doesn't help when people here or other DSM forums constantly hate on cars for sale because, per them the price is "too high" when a civic goes for more. Look at what's more posted here, it's not the great finds/clean shells/barn finds it's how low they got the car for (some even boasting less than what they paid to be able to flaunt it). Gives DSMs a sense of cheapness and creates a mentality that reflects that, although they'll never tell you how much they had to spend to fix those cheap finds.

Personally, sometimes I get sick and tired of it, especially for parts. I just keep my prices up, they don't sell, I'll use them sometime later in the future. That's the beauty of having extra parts for our cars and having a bunch of cars, worse case, you'll use them yourself. I even had a guy sending me messages at one point on kijji for weeks because he couldn't get my stuff at his cheap-close-to-nothing price They seem to think you owe them a cheap part because they got their car for cheap I feel for ya Urbansmoker (and also told ya so ).

I really hope more hobbyist pickup the DSM expertise (already know a few in my region). We've had to deal with this even more-so in Canada before because of the small amount of official rebuilders specific to the DSM platform so nothing new on our side. Although the part discontinuation will effect us all at some point, that's normal. Would be nice that Mitsu would try keeping these cars running and out-and-about considering they were their "in" to the Canadian and US market. A type of remembrance action to show they care for their history. Unfortunately, these days, money is the only driving force by large car companies, they would rather you buy a "throw-away" car so that they can sell you another one in a close future.

 

[honda_burner]

Would be nice that Mitsu would try keeping these cars running and out-and-about considering they were their "in" to the Canadian and US market. A type of remembrance action to show they care for their history. Unfortunately, these days, money is the only driving force by large car companies, they would rather you buy a "throw-away" car so that they can sell you another one in a close future.

Unfortunately, it seems mitsu has they're own set of problems lately. Rumors of them pulling out of the U.S. market get more and more real every day.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Thats cause they now have no interesting cars. Who cares about fuel economy and enviormentaly friendly cars.... Wheres that love for rally that founded mitsu. It died some with the 90's and officially this year with the last evo production, which was the only mitsu worth buying imo for a 2015. Though I'd still rather me an 8, they might as well pull out of the US Market when mitsu president said he was done with racing background cars and onto the eco friendly market.

 

[Ludachris]

When i say shop around for reasonable price i meant to say between vendors not some random no name specialty shops. Like back when we have the option to choose between shops like Shep, IPT, TRE, Jack, and TMZ (I believe they are good quality shops). I did a lot of shopping around back then and i still do. I guarantee you other people are already doing that as well to get the best prices for their value. If these vendors cannot compete due to part shortage, inability to supply parts, and complain about not making enough money they are better of close. They have the right to do what ever necessary to save their businesses. From a consumer standpoint, people have the right to shop around unless you have money laying around.(I may self don't have that privilege). I work 9-5 for every penny i earned. If a shop complains about not making enough money then they need to go service a more profitable market. In their absent, due to a supply and demand there will always be DSM specialty shops. That is where my business is going to go.

Of course people have the right to shop around for the best price... but business owners have to make more than a single digit profit margin too. Yes, we will have a few DSM specialty shops (and freelancers) that stick around and some that pop up. But what you're going to find is that these will end up being hobbyists who do this stuff on the side and aren't always the most reliable providers. And the ones that have great quality will eventually disappear because people won't want to pay for that quality. The reality is that the demand continues to shrink in this market, which means parts will continue to disappear.

 

[DSMReviver]

All you guys are worried about transmissions, but what about blocks and heads? .

i got a bunch of them do you need one?

I didn't realize how short of a production run the 98's were and when I got mine I was told it was a 97, but was overjoyed when the title showed 98! So my "go fast" car is the first year Talon and the 98 needs a rebuild but is pretty straight....except for (one of my pet peeves) the HACK JOB where the stereo used to be but I have a good looking unit in there now with a nice stereo adaptor that makes it look stock.

Yeah they are certainly getting harder to find. Yours will be one of only a hand full of talon's left in the future. Well, Chris has one too look like.

 

[4Lurker4]

Tons have Talons here

 

[DSMReviver]

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Tons have Talons here

Like only talons basically

 

[boost97gst]

Shame to hear this..... I decided on an auto build for the awd swap which is being done now.
I guess now that the community is older and has more disposable income we are willing to spend far more on parts but it may just be too late. I know as far as the OEM stuff that i was shocked at what was still stocked for my 2g. Crazy they still have this stuff. Parts orders were rejected on some unique things like filler necks for the awd tank and some other things. Luckily i can live without.
I have NO problem spending 30 grand on a nice build now. Times change, careers evolve, etc etc....
I must say just reading this makes me start second guessing this build. Total investment will be just north of 25k when all is said and done. I know thats not a lot but what happens in 3 years when i decide i need a new tcase or i want to rebuild my auto and there simply isn't any parts left?
Now i KNOW that i'm keeping that mint OEM longblock that came in the donor car!
I've had my doubts and was very close to buying 4yr old vette and ripping the engine out to have it built up. Parts availability has been on my mind for some time now. I can see the inevitable.

Metro and IPT are still selling full auto kits right? I havent decided which one i'm using yet. That's coming up very soon though. Rambling post, sorry.

 

[twicks69]

Auto rebuild stuff is still out there, but hard parts like shafts, gears, oil pumps, etc. Are all gone from OEM.

Typically I use Borg Warner or Alto frictions for the forward, reverse and end clutches, and then a kiggly front clutch, weld center, Translab TL175HP shift kit, port work, New valvebody spacer plate, OEM gaskets, OEM or aftermarket orings and seal kits, etc. The last build I did this spring I could still even get a brand new OEM end clutch assembly, and several other rare parts; some just took a while to get from Mitsubishi.

I also still work on the F4A33/W4A33 transmissions and transfer cases.

 

[JayRolla]

Pretty soon we won't have a choice buddy Will have to go to what ever is left and pay what ever they ask. Let the market capitalization begin!

On the side note, anybody heard back from Jack? I tried emailing them and haven't heard back. I guess they quit cold turkey.

I had Jack weld me up an exhaust in his driveway when first starting out. Its sad to see him move one but has been in the plans for some time now. My buddy works and used to build his DSM trans last few years and he has been telling me its going away.

There is just so much more money in the EVO's and GTR's now there is no reason to spend so much time and work on a trans that is sold so cheap now.

On a side note have not been here in years. Miss this place. Been in the offroading scene in my lifted 3rd gen 4runner. But planing a 2g auto build with very large turbo. Hopefully I can find a clean auto 2g, been looking forever!!

 

[boost97gst]

Auto rebuild stuff is still out there, but hard parts like shafts, gears, oil pumps, etc. Are all gone from OEM.

Typically I use Borg Warner or Alto frictions for the forward, reverse and end clutches, and then a kiggly front clutch, weld center, Translab TL175HP shift kit, port work, New valvebody spacer plate, OEM gaskets, OEM or aftermarket orings and seal kits, etc. The last build I did this spring I could still even get a brand new OEM end clutch assembly, and several other rare parts; some just took a while to get from Mitsubishi.

I also still work on the F4A33/W4A33 transmissions and transfer cases.

Excellent. I just clicked "bookmark" so i can find taht post in the future and contact you if need be. Due to my lower back i'm letting a local pro who, thank god took the job, do all my work. He's a mechanic for aliving and has built a bunch of ATs and MT for DSMs.