Hey fellas,

Been busy wrenching on my 91 Syclone lately but my 87 Maxima SE is going to need a new auto tranny REAL soon. 3rd gear started slipping a few months ago and now even 2nd is slipping. I have to shift manually between 2nd and 3rd to keep the RPMs in the right range so it won't slip out of control. I know the auto tranny is on it's last legs but I need some help here. I'm going to swap out the tranny myself but don't know where to go to get a replacement. Preferably, I'd like to get a remanufactured unit from somewhere for a cheap as possible but I don't know where I can get one here in the SF Bay Area. Anyone know where I can get one and how much? Also, could it just be the torque converter or is the tranny definitely going out? How much can I expect to pay for parts. These cars are easy to work on so labor will not be an issue; I'll be doing the work myself. Here's what I've done so far to resurrect this old beater with 199K miles:

Car $600
Fuel Pressure Regulator $56
Fuel Pump $112
O2 Sensor $62
Cylinder Head Temp Sensor $20
Spark Plug Wires $52
Cap & Rotor $30
Fuel Filter $10
Fuel Injector Harnesses $37
Valve Cover Gaskets $17
Fuel Injector Kit $298
Front Fenders $165
Motor Mount (rear) $128
CV Boots/Axles $113
Master Cylinder $28
Transmission seals $18
Battery $50
Exhaust manifold $86
Exhaust studs and gaskets (front and rear) $85
Front motor mount $105

The engine purrs like a kitten now but I still need to fix the broken exhaust studs and take care of the tranny problems. Any advice on the AT would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Right now you only have like 2 choices either get another used tranny or a rebuild. Now you can source another used tranny for like $300-500 at a junkyard but rebuilds run around $1000-1500. However if you have the proper tools and the FSM (factory service manual) you could try installing the nissan auto rebuild kit. If you intend on keeping the car I recommend getting a rebuild. If you want to sell the car get a junkyard tranny.

 

At least you have another car in the meantime.

SuDZ

 

I got mine from www.phoenixhardparts.com It was $775 for the tranny plus shipping, did the swap myself also. Definitley change the studs while you've got it out.

 

OK, here's an update: The axles, tranny, ps pump, both exhaust manifolds, alternator, belts, rear main seal, and oil pan are out. Actually, I already put both exhaust manifolds back on tonight after I drilled out two broken studs in the rear head. It's my third Maxima and every one has had broken exhaust studs; I'm getting pretty good with drills and EZouts now. Made sure to replace all of the 12 exhaust studs, crush washers, and nuts with the updated ones from Nissan. I bought a rebuild kit for the PS pump and rebuilt it yesterday making sure to put everything back together exactly as it was removed. Hopefully, this will cure the leaky pump syndrome. In terms of the tranny, I think I'm going to take it down to Allied Transmission here in San Jose and have it rebuilt. They quoted me about $1000, and since I'm keeping the car, I may as well do it right. My only concern is blowing the tranny out again because I do drive with an extremely heavy foot. I put a B&M tranny cooler in my Syclone to prevent heat from killing the transmission. Wonder if there is any way to beef up the Maxima transaxle? I'm definitely going to use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF after the rebuild along with a magnetic drainplug. I should have this baby running like a champ again in a few weeks. More to come.

 

Don's V.B. mod is supposed to make a huge diference in tyhe tranny. If you get a level 10 rebuild kit your transmission should be almost industructable, but then it's probably going to cost you around $2000. Definitely use synthetic that's what I put in, coolers help dramatically. Other than that I don't know any other things that can beef it up. My fronmt and rear oil pan seals were shot, is that what you changed also?

 

OK, I got the tranny back from Sunco Transmission today. They did a bench rebuild for a total cost of $1341.78, yikes! Also bought a new radiator for $200 since the old was was leaking and had metal pieces from the bad transmission in it anyway. Here's what they did:

-Master overhaul kit
-Steel plate kit
-Pump bushing
-Reverse input drum bushing
-Fluid filter
-2nd and 4th brake band
-Pump bolt update kit
-Valve body repair kit
-TCC solonoid
-Overdrive cancel solonoid
-Rebuilt L/U torque converter
-Planet gear train set - used
-Rebuilt direct drum - complete

Cost was $400 for labor and $870 for parts. These guys know their **** so hopefully this thing will last for at least 100K. He said he put a shift kit in it and the shifts should be firmer than they used to be. I'm going to use Mobil 1 ATF once I get everything back together. Yes, the front and rear main oil seals were leaking so I replaced them along with the oil pan gasket. I rebuilt the power steering pump myself with a $20 rebuild kit since it was leaking badly. Anyway, I'm heading out to do some work on this old beater. Can't wait to get it running again so I don't have to put so many miles on GMC Syclone #434.

-Jeremy