VIN tag on Transmission

[SlickPyro]

I bought my 92 laser awd as a shell and swapped in everything from my old awd laser so I know the vins don't match. I decided to try to buy parts and rebuild my trans but TRE can't order parts because there is no vin on the trans. Some one correct me if i'm wrong but isnt the vin supposed to be here:

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And upon closer inspection, nothing. It's smooth.

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Is there any other way to identify the trans? On the left most square in the first pic it is stamped with this:

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Which i found on here just means its a awd trans from a 1g. Any help would be appreciated on identifying my trans. Thanks.

 

[dented_coffee]

the tag to where the vin number is suppose to be on the trans is correct. the reason why there might not be one on there is because of it beeing a replacement or maybe it was recalled and fixed. my transmission has the vin number stamped in it thats on my firewall, engine block, hood, fenders, 1/4 panels, hatch, door jamb, dash, title, window paper, ect..

i think its crazy to have the vin number stamped in everything but i guess its the best way to show that thats the origional parts that came with the car when it rolled off the line.

IF SOMEONE PREVIOUSLY SHAVED THE VIN NUMBER JUST TAKE IT TO THE COPS AND HAVE THEM ACID ETCH THE PLATE WHERE THE VIN IS SUPPOSE TO BE AND THEY WILL PULL THE RIGHT VIN TO TELL IF ITS A HOTT TRANSMISSION OUT OF A CHOP SHOPPED CAR. JUST TEL THEM THAT THERE IS SUPPOSE TO BE A VIN NUMBER THERE AND YOU THINK IT WAS SHAVED BY SELLER OR PERSON HE GOT IT FROM.

 

[donniekak]

It's a jdm transmission. Does the engine block have the vin on it either? You are going to have to open it up to see what gearset you have.

 

[SlickPyro]

I'm not taking it to the cops so I can get in trouble. but thanks. And yes the engine block has a vin on it right where it's supposed to. I know the block is out of a 90 laser. I am going to have Shep Trans rebuild my transmission here soon so I guess I'll leave it up to them. It's nice living an hour away from Shep and Buschur.

 

[SlickPyro]

It's a jdm transmission. Does the engine block have the vin on it either? You are going to have to open it up to see what gearset you have.

You don't know what you are talking about. Please next time leave some proof of why you think something is true. I emailed Shep and they sent an email back saying that code is for a plain ol 91-94 usdm awd dsm.

 

[stevestevesteve]

Time for Tim Zimmer. (twicks69)

 

[twicks69]

Well....I have seen this several times on USDM replacement transmissions and JDM transmissions. In this circumstance, being an NPXV suffix shows us that it is at least a 91-94 AWD turbo transmission of some variation. In alot of cases, there was originally a simple VIN barcode sticker on the casting that has long fell off due to cheap material and adhesives.

Easy way? Well, pop off the 5th gear cover, post up a picture of the 5th gearset, reverse synchro, and 5th/Reverse shift fork. Also, take a pic of the shift linkage, and the inside of the 5th gear cover.

There were 4 variations of the reverse synchro between 1990-1994, 2 variations of the 5th/Rev Shift Fork, 6 variations of the 5th/Rev Hub and Slider, 2 variations of the 5th gear cover, and two variations of plastic oil guides. All of these indicators will give us a much better representation of what year transmission you have.

As well, please give the Mitsubishi part number that is labeled on the inside of the 5th gear cover casting.

There were a couple different castings made of the 5th gear cover, and at least I can get you close if I have more physical information.

Also, what letters are stamped onto the shift linkage levers?



Finally, why the heck are you ordering parts for a transmission rebuild before you have the transmission even fully disassembled and inspected? Sounds like a good way in wasting money or ordering the wrong parts. I have seen MANY transmissions over the years that have different year gearsets in the transmission case. For Example, Shep used the 1990-early 1991 intermediate shaft and 3rd and 4th gear for a long time as a Heavy Duty upgrade.

The transmission gearset has easily identifiable markings on the center differential, input shaft, 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, 4th gear, 5th gear, intermediate shaft, front diff ring gear, 3/4 shift fork, 3/4 shift rail, 3/4 slider, etc.

 

[donniekak]

You don't know what you are talking about. Please next time leave some proof of why you think something is true. I emailed Shep and they sent an email back saying that code is for a plain ol 91-94 usdm awd dsm.

JDM or not is a best guess. Having to open it up to replace parts isn's. As stated above, their were several different gearsets in that time period. Tell me if it is a large or small synchro 3-4, or a double synchro 2nd without a vin, or opening it up.

 

[twicks69]

You can tell from the outside of the 5th gear cover if it is a 1990-1991.05.2 vs. a 1991.05.3-1994 based upon the angled curvature/width upon the top portion (If you had the transmission sitting on the floor in the standard orientation of how it would be installed in the vehicle) of the 5th gear cover.

The early ones had a wide angle portion because it has the smaller diameter 5th/Reverse hub and slider assembly. The later ones had a narrow angle portion because it has the larger diameter 5th/Reverse hub and slider assembly.

With this in mind, you can at least deduce if you have a late 1990-Early 1991 vs. Late 1991-1994 transmission without even opening it up.

Again, a simple picture of the outside of the cover can tell me what year it is. Even better? OPEN UP THE DARN 5th GEAR COVER!

Lets say that it is a Late 1991-1994 transmission for example.... The Reverse synchro is a segmented engagement tooth pattern from Late 1991-Early 1993. It is a continuous engagement tooth pattern on Mid/Late 1993-1994 transmissions. The reverse synchro also is substantially thicker on the late 1991-1994 when being compared to the late 1990-mid 1991 transmissions that have a thinner, smaller diameter reverse synchro.

The 1990-early 1991 transmissions also have TWO black plastic oil guides, while the mid/late 1991-1994 transmissions only have ONE black plastic oil guide that feeds the 5th/Reverse assembly. When taken apart, another indicator is the large black plastic oil guide -- there are three variations of it in 1st Gen transmissions. The oil guide has a stamped part number on it for reference (you need to remove the 5th gearset, viscous coupler, intermediate case section, center differential, and main case section to identify it) They are the following:

1990-Early 1991 -- MD724766
Late 1991-Early 1992 -- MD741188
Late 1992-1994 -- MD741725