Just bought a 91 Talon...shifter problems, I need help

[2qwik4u]

Hi there....just drove home a 91 Talon AWD and the shifter is REALLY messed up. The guy that sold it SWEARS the trans is from Japan, a low mileage import. The shifter has some serious issues, and I need to know if there is a special mod or swap that is needed, as I seem to remember seeing SOMETHING about a 92 up setup for the JDM trans. First, is there any way to tell if it actually has a JDM trans? Second, is there an actual specific part(s) needed when using this trans in place of the USDM trans. What it is doing is not going into gear smoothly....I can definitely feel that it is in the shifter NOT the trans. If I accelerate to redline in first and try to shift fairly quickly into second gear, the shifter will not engage. If I slam it in at a slow pace, it engages. The shifter also seems to have to travel VERY far in the pivot for the gears to engage. Did something stretch maybe? I will pull it apart in the morning, but I hope to figure it out soon, and need help in where to look. Thanks, Drew

 

[turboholic]

http://www.vfaq.com/FAQlocator-index.html

-Look under "shifter". Also look for a page that talk about replacing the rubber bushings under the shifter assembly, if you don't want to buy those steel insert, you can use steel washers of the same size, check the bushings on the selector arms on top of the tranny too, worn bushing will need to be replaced, people have good luck by using the ball bearing for the wheel of a roller-blade.

 

[2qwik4u]

Actually, I just pulled the shifter mechanism apart, it is not as big a deal as I originally thought. I was worried about the problem being associated with the 5th gear nut coming loose....
The problem is in the shift selector cable, it is VERY rough and can barely be pushed in or out by hand while being disconnected at both the trans AND the shifter assy. I will replace the cables and try the bearing thing, thanks.

 

[turboholic]

-If you wanted to, you can replace that dildo with a shift knob, (I find mine at junk yard for $1), it'll shorten the throw about 2", I have also rise the shifter assembly about 3" off the floor to bring it closer to the steering wheel.

 

[Lordpaxin]

if it is indeed a jdm trans.
i had to hack about 2inches off the shifter cable, and weld it.

i used the shifter and cables out of a 1.8 (ultra short throw
is it just rough, or is it not goin ginto gear properly.

 

[me612]

You cut it and welded it? I just adjusted the length using the little nuts on the shifter end of the cable to shorten it.

 

[Lordpaxin]

yea, i did the 5speed swap at the same time, and my junkyard shifter and cables were from a 1.8 and that paticular cable didnt have the adjustment on it, go figure, so i cut it, and welded it to the right legnth