pbn85

iTrader: (8)

Hey everyone-

It's been a long time since I've been here. I no longer have the 5.5 6mt but my little cousin is close to pulling the trigger on one and I had a question before he does so. The car is a 2002 6mt with 50k miles and for sale by original owner. The owner admitted that he had done MANY high rpm shifting on the highway (4th into 5th gear usually) but stated that he did so with proper technique (no slamming gears, no skip shifting, no fast shifting and basically just easing into gear waiting for the RPM to fall in upshifts to match speed).

I test drove the car for my cousin yesterday and it shifted great. I checked all the gears (high RPM upshifts and downshifts) with several high rpm pulls in 4th into 5th gear - it was very smooth and just had the basic notchiness that I remember my 6mt had. I fast shifted it too to see if it would upset the synchros and not a single grind or hiccup.

Is it safe to say that this transmission is good since it shifted perfectly during high rpm? I advise my cousin to get a blackstone oil analysis (for engine AND tranny). A safe transmission oil analysis with a non grinding transmission should ensure that the transmission is in pretty decent shape correct?

Appreciate the insight! I will post up a picture of the car if he gets it (he most likely will since it checked out just perfectly)

TallTom

If it shifted with no issues, I would just buy it. An '02 with 50k original miles is hard to find.

Maxgig

iTrader: (5)

Unless the dad was a total tool driving it, 50k miles on an 02 is insane. Get it.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

Appreciate the feedback but I'm specifically asking about the transmission in this thread. Any chance of accelerated synchro wear given the high rpm shifting he quite often did?

Donkeypunch

^Yeah you play hard you die young. Same for cars.


If you shift it quickly in high rpm and doesn't grind that's good to go.
Did you try 1st 2nd 3rd see if it grinds. 4-5 is kinda where it doesn't really see allot of abuse.

A friends s4 only grinds 2nd to 3rd when shifting fast. Common problem on those.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

Perfect, just what I wanted to know!

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

The sycro issue with the 5.5 Gen 6MT was in shifting from second to third, also known as the Third Gear Crunch. It wasn't a problem with every 6MT, but enough of them to be a thing. Depending on how bad the situation is, you could grind the gears, crunch into gear, or simply slip into gear without issue... with no apparent repeating conditions. The only thing for sure is that solid poly bushings in the Torque mounts helped immensely. More so, bracing the engine (NWP Torque Link). And to some small degree, the poly bushings under the shifter assembly. Swapping the gear oil for Redline MT-85 helped a little, but not that much.

I think I remember you, man. Almost bought your CO's way back in the long-ago.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Like Rochester said, second to third will crunch with a fast high RPM shift. If it doesn't do that it should be alright.

Even if it develops, it's not the end of the world. It's mostly just annoying. I had it when I got mine and continued to beat on it for several years. Even taking it to the drag strip. I finally swapped in an 04+ tranny (better syncros) with HLSD and never looked back. I mostly did it for the HLSD though.

carsnwomen91

if you've tested it under hard loads and fast shifts its fine. sounds like this guy knew how to drive with no clutch really well, a truck driver by any chance?

like mentioned, 3rd gear crunch is a common thing... even on my 4g i occasionally had 3gc. my first 5.5g 3gc and my current 5.5 its not apparent with nwp torque link.

but go ahead and buy it... mileage should reflect the condition of car and its tough to find low mileage 6spds.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

Thanks for the feedback guys.

No, he never clutchless shifted, he just liked to shift at high rpm but his technique was always good.

Anyway, my cousin bought the car! We are changing out the gear oil tomorrow and will send the old oil for an analysis to see how the tranny is holding up, though I don't anticipate any issues since it shifted fine in all gears at high rpm and fast shifting.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Good deal. You probably already know this but make sure you use use the proper fluid (GL4). You can't use GL5 or even a GL4/GL5 fluid or you'll kill the transmission. It's not that easy to find but it is out there.

yellow_cake

GL-4 fluid is readily available in the synthetic variety from a number of companies: Amsoil, Redline, Pennzoil...

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

It's available but it's hard to find on the shelves in the US sometimes. I don't know why but I've always had to order it. I had to go to Nissan last time I needed some unexpectedly. Even they had to order it (next day) and tried to sell me the GL4/GL5 until I pressed him on it.