Transmission

O.K.....so I got rid of that last problem by replacing my muffler only to have my transmission start acting up now. I have a '93 Si automatic and for the past day or 2 it does not want to shift out of 1st or 2nd gear (not sure if it skips between the 2.)
It takes a block or 2 before it finally upshifts through all the gears but not before making a quick grinding sound. Sounds kinda like when someone with a 5 speed puts it into the wrong gear for a split second. Then after that it drives perfectly fine and shifts without any problems...until it sits undriven for like 8 hours at work or overnight and does it all over again.
I suspected maybe I wasn't letting it warm up enough so the past 2 times I waited until the car was in normal operating temperature and it did make a difference. Instead of taking a few blocks of driving to get it to upshift it immediately upshifted but still made that quick grinding sound the first time it engaged 3rd gear. After that it drives fine and shifts fine and no grinding. Just that initial grind then nothing. The fluid level is full and a light pinkish color.
I wanted to ask you guys first before taking it to anyone cause I know Geo is THE MAN when it comes to Del Sol's. Any suggestions on where to get it checked out at? I want to make sure it gets taken care of properly but I have been burned by so many shops that flat out lie and tell you that you need repairs or have replaced parts that were unecessary.
I'm also gonna do a little research and see if there are any better automatic transmissions from other Honda's/Acura's that might bolt right up to the D16z6 motor. I figure if it ends up needing replacing then why not swap in a better one that might give better performance.
Thanks for any info. Also any ideas on what I should expect to pay....worst case cenario?
I don't want to have to show up at the next meet driving my old Ford Tempo [img]graemlins/cry_smile.gif[/img]

It could be as simple as bad/old/wrong fluid in there. Since it seems to be weather/temperature related, you might do the simple and cheap thing and just replace the ATF and filter if there is one. Sorry, not an auto kinda guy.

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Originally posted by BiffStroganoffsky:
It could be as simple as bad/old/wrong fluid in there. Since it seems to be weather/temperature related, you might do the simple and cheap thing and just replace the ATF and filter if there is one. Sorry, not an auto kinda guy.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My thoughts exactly, first change the fluid and see if that helps. When you do it, make sure it's at operating temperature, not cold. And I too don't know much about the auto transmissions, sticks I can do.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/5430/banner38qx.jpg

I will try that first before taking it anywhere.
I'll post results after work tomorrow.
If it turns out to be more than that....
should I take it to a Honda dealership or someplace independent like Greg's Japanese Auto???
I have never really liked dealerships when it comes to repairs unless it's still under warranty.

*cough* time for a GSR with auto trany swap *cough* [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

Strange, he and Ann called me Sunday about it and hasn't posted back how it came out yet. I hope everythings ok.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/5430/banner38qx.jpg

I drove out to Milton the other day and didn't see them on the roadside. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Almost got ran over by some short asian mom driving a big honking SUV trying to cut the line for the exit ramp for the Puyallup Fair. You shouldn't be allowed to drive if you can't see OVER the steering wheel of the vehicle! [img]graemlins/grrr.gif[/img]

Oops....
I drained the old fluid and put new fluid in.
It is still doing it but not quite as bad. I think after another day or two I will drain it again and refill. Hopefully that will help.

And if it doesn't then maybe I will look into that GSR swap [img]wink.gif[/img]

I wouldn't mind having a little more soul for the Sol.

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Originally posted by reewinder:
Oops....
I drained the old fluid and put new fluid in.
It is still doing it but not quite as bad. I think after another day or two I will drain it again and refill. Hopefully that will help.

And if it doesn't then maybe I will look into that GSR swap [img]wink.gif[/img]

I wouldn't mind having a little more soul for the Sol.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">i dont know if you have any perticular reason to why you are driving an automatic but...if you're going to be taking the tranny out by any means...i'd def replace it with somethin that's a manual. Overall driving experience is transoformed for the better. And JUST IN CASE...you do get a gsr swap with a manual tranny...i have a del sol vtec shift linkage that needs a new home [img]cool.gif[/img]

Manual might be great for track day or to unleash all the potential of a B18, but for the most part i assume everyone uses their cars as their main commuting car and it would suck to have to go through my commute with a manual.

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Originally posted by Geo 94:
All this talk about a GSR swap, do they make a US version with an automatic, I don't believe so, have to be a JDM or Euro version, but anyway what do I know, not a whole lot about all the Intrega's engine/trans combos except the hi-perf ones.

And Ed he has problems with his knee, so that's why the auto trans, thank God I had mine operated on (suffered about 40 years with it all messed up before I finally had it taken care of) so I can still drive a stick, no autos for this guy.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/5430/banner38qx.jpg

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

All this talk about a GSR swap, do they make a US version with an automatic, I don't believe so, have to be a JDM or Euro version, but anyway what do I know, not a whole lot about all the Intrega's engine/trans combos except the hi-perf ones.

And Ed he has problems with his knee, so that's why the auto trans, thank God I had mine operated on (suffered about 40 years with it all messed up before I finally had it taken care of) so I can still drive a stick, no autos for this guy.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/5430/banner38qx.jpg

ok, that makes total sense that he wants an automatic. It sounds like Del"TheSol"Man's issue.

As far as driving a manual daily, i really dont see what's so wrong with it. Automatic honda's i should say, because they are so underpowered, make daily driving for me, a tad bit more frustrating. I could barely make it up hills, cant stay within a decent powerband, etc. I could maybe understand if your daily commute consists of driving through traffic everyday, but other than that...it'll be hard for me to ever buy another automatic.

Hey reewinder...Free.
Just in case. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 27, 2006 11:31 AM: Message edited by: BiffStroganoffsky ]</font>

Yup it does...half the time i dont go over 35...very few hills and lots of stop and go...i got a bad commute out of the east side...

-t-

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Originally posted by pLaYbOi:
ok, that makes total sense that he wants an automatic. It sounds like Del"TheSol"Man's issue.

As far as driving a manual daily, i really dont see what's so wrong with it. Automatic honda's i should say, because they are so underpowered, make daily driving for me, a tad bit more frustrating. I could barely make it up hills, cant stay within a decent powerband, etc. I could maybe understand if your daily commute consists of driving through traffic everyday, but other than that...it'll be hard for me to ever buy another automatic.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

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Originally posted by BiffStroganoffsky:
Hey reewinder...Free.
Just in case. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ September 27, 2006 11:31 AM: Message edited by: BiffStroganoffsky ]</font></font>

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No way Jose!!!


I just found the specs on that motor and all I have to say is YUCK!


Honda Engine Specifications

Year:88-89
Model:CRX/HF
Engine [img]biggrin.gif[/img] 15B6
Specifications:8 Valve SOHC 1493cc 9.1:1 c.r PGM-FI DPFI
Power:62 bhp @4500
Redline:6800 rpm
Torque:83 lbft @ 3000

[img]frown.gif[/img]

D15B6.....not [img]biggrin.gif[/img] 15B6

you know if you did do a swap, itd be really really expensive to switch from an auto to manual. cuz youd have to get your pedal assembly, and switch out your console, buy the motor, and all the linkages ecus and what not. however theres an alternative that will set your sol apart. in olympia theres a shop, that ive gone to that import jdm del sol front clips with motor and everything. you could possibly get one of those done. so youll have a jdm b16a complete swap already with the front clip, as well as rhd, and pedal assembly everything. the only thing youll have to worry about then is switching out the console for the gear shifter. the shop was supposed to fix my car after it got stolen but decided it wasnt worth it, but it was only 5000. i mean its a lot, but its about what youll spend converting your car to a manual plus the cost of the swap you wanna do, and you still get rhd. the shop is called custom imports.

How'd this get to swapping engines? By the way that '88-'89 engine would be illegal to install in his car, the motor has to be the same year or newer.
By the way, is it 5k for just the front clip or for it and installing everything to look factory stock? What year is it for '99-'00 or older? You can pick up a JDM sol front clip for $2.5k ('92-'95) in Tacoma with a b16a/stick and it should be about 1K max for a shop to do the swap and with the change from an auto to manual even added in. You could even find an auto trans b16 sol swap, there out there, '93-'95 sols for his car.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/5430/banner38qx.jpg

Ya....I forgot about the legality and having to be the same year or newer.
Transmission is still acting up so I am gonna do more research and see if there are any other transmissions that will bolt directly up to the D16Z6. I know I could find a used M24A transmission for $200 or less and have a shop swap them but if there are better trannies that will give better performance/gear ratio I would rather go with that. I plan on keeping the car automatic just to clear any confusion....even if I ever did an engine swap.
I discovered Mercon III is the wrong ATF fluid. Turns out Honda only recommends genuine Honda ATF or Mercon II. Whoever had the car before me had Mercon III in there and when I drained it I refilled with Mercon III. I drained it back out and filled back up with Honda ATF this time and also added Bucky's Trans-fix fluid. It's only been in there for a day or so now but it's still acting up. If it doesn't smooth out within the next 100 miles or so I'm gonna take it somewhere and have it looked at.

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Originally posted by sonnyjc3:
you know if you did do a swap, itd be really really expensive to switch from an auto to manual. cuz youd have to get your pedal assembly, and switch out your console, buy the motor, and all the linkages ecus and what not. however theres an alternative that will set your sol apart. in olympia theres a shop, that ive gone to that import jdm del sol front clips with motor and everything. you could possibly get one of those done. so youll have a jdm b16a complete swap already with the front clip, as well as rhd, and pedal assembly everything. the only thing youll have to worry about then is switching out the console for the gear shifter. the shop was supposed to fix my car after it got stolen but decided it wasnt worth it, but it was only 5000. i mean its a lot, but its about what youll spend converting your car to a manual plus the cost of the swap you wanna do, and you still get rhd. the shop is called custom imports.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Switching from auto to manual isn't actually as expensive or time consuming as most think. At least not for hondas since its actually somewhat of a common job to do. As far as the JDM front clip think, sure its a nice idea...but its well more than just switching out a center consol for the shifter. remember...right hand drive...the firewall needs to be cut out from your current sol and swapped with the RHD firewall. now THAT...aint cheap. Right hand drive is over rated anyway...who in their right mind wants to shift with their left hand?!?!?

Legal...Illegal...

It's like driving on surface roads above the posted speed limit - only if you're caught. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

well as far as geos post yah, theres a shop in tacoma called "the car specialist" or something like that that does sell the jdm front clips for 2.5k and 1k for installation. but theres a shop in olympia that uses the car specilists jdm front clips to do their rhd swaps. they charge 5000 for the whole shabang. that means putting in the motor, wiring in the vtec, putting in the body panels, headlights, changing out the dash, like everything. the only thing im not sure about is paint. i got one estimate, it had nothing on it about paint, i accidently lost it, and came in and i mentioned paint and he put it on the estimate. i found the first estimate when i got home and the estimates were the same price, like 5,238 or something like that. i did see some of his work, everything looked really clean. the only thing that i didnt like about the rhd thing, is that the front clip doesnt go as far back as the gas/trunk lever, so id have to get that moved to the other side on my car leaving a hole in the carpet. and he said he cant mend the whole in the carpet although im sure someone else could. his work was really clean though. about the whole rhd thing, i mean its not to die for, but i like it, it sets your car apart, and i mean for the money, you get a lot of cool jdm stuff, and if you like jdm like i do than its totally worth the money imo.