SPS

I am the not so proud (YET) owner of a 1995 SC1 auto and I am already in trouble.

The car has lost reverse and is trying hard to spit out any forward drive gears.

I know it needs a transmission (putrid black fluid and 163,000 miles) I was wondering if there was a "better" automatic (twin cam, different year, etc) or if anyone regionally might have a manual transmission/flywheel/swap-over in or around mid michigan?

Any advice, information or insults will be appreciated.

John

John Brown wrote:

QUOTE:
The car has lost reverse and is trying hard to spit out any forward drive gears.

Probably a failed valve body unit.

John Brown wrote:

QUOTE:
I was wondering if there was a "better" automatic (twin cam, different year, etc)

To be honest, I'm not sure about the auto trans gear ratios. Certainly the MANUAL trans for the DOHC has a more performance oriented set of gear ratios than does the MANUAL trans for the SOHC. Either way, I like your next idea better...

John Brown wrote:

QUOTE:
or if anyone regionally might have a manual transmission/flywheel/swap-over in or around mid michigan?

Many people have successfully completed the auto-to-manual swap. And while I do not have a parts list, I'll bet that there are several junk yards near you that can provide the necessary pieces. (Buy a new clutch, obviously...) Just be careful about one thing: The PCM used with the auto trans is not programmed with a rev limiter. So after you switch transmissions, if you keep your existing pcm, you will be able to rev to destruction. You might have to watch the tach more closely than normal...

JComeskey wrote:

QUOTE:
To be honest, I'm not sure about the auto trans gear ratios. Certainly the MANUAL trans for the DOHC has a more performance oriented set of gear ratios than does the MANUAL trans for the SOHC. Either way, I like your next idea better...

There is a SOHC/DOHC difference (as per www.car-part.com two different interchange numbers).

JComeskey wrote:

QUOTE:
Many people have successfully completed the auto-to-manual swap. And while I do not have a parts list, I'll bet that there are several junk yards near you that can provide the necessary pieces. (Buy a new clutch, obviously...) Just be careful about one thing: The PCM used with the auto trans is not programmed with a rev limiter. So after you switch transmissions, if you keep your existing pcm, you will be able to rev to destruction. You might have to watch the tach more closely than normal...

Good to know, gives me a reason to start autocrossing it

I have a spare manual transmission for a SC1. I did a twin cam swap so the transmission is in working condition, it had around 150,000 miles on it when it came out of the car. I live in Florida so I'm not sure on the shipping, but if you are interested let me know.

dborcher wrote:

QUOTE:
I have a spare manual transmission for a SC1. I did a twin cam swap so the transmission is in working condition, it had around 150,000 miles on it when it came out of the car. I live in Florida so I'm not sure on the shipping, but if you are interested let me know.

If you want to, you should also consider posting this in the classifieds section of the SPS forum. In theory, someone wanting to buy a used transmission might be looking in the classifieds. And it's free, so why not!