Pop! goes third gear...
Pop! goes third gear...
Popped 3rd gear today. Lame.
I was out doing some tuning with emanage, 3rd gear runs datalogging and watching the wideband. I had only done 3 WOT runs in the last 20 minutes or so, 2 of which spun the tires instead of hooking, then on the 4th run, (the 2nd run I'd done in the past 5 minutes or so) I got into it about 3000rpm and around 4000rpm it felt just like I had pressed the clutch in, no more pulling just the engine revving. I was only on the gas for about 3-4 seconds probably when it went, I quickly let off and coasted. I didn't know what had happened at this point. I revved it in neutral and everything sounded good. Real Time Data display on the emanage wasn't showing anything out of the norm, no oil pressure warning light, no smoke or crud trailing behind me. Air fuel was good, so I put it in 5th gear and let the clutch out and nothing weird happened. So I thought it was maybe just a hiccup of some sort, so I tried to put it back in 3rd and do a run and then I realized 3rd wasn't there. Free revving just like as if I was in neutral. So I went to the next exit and turned around and went home.
So today I hadn't done too much 3rd gear abuse, but in the past it's had quite a bit of abuse. Sometimes 20+ WOT 13-15psi runs at a time. Looks like it had just had enough this time.
Good thing I've got that AE LSD sitting in the garage
I was out doing some tuning with emanage, 3rd gear runs datalogging and watching the wideband. I had only done 3 WOT runs in the last 20 minutes or so, 2 of which spun the tires instead of hooking, then on the 4th run, (the 2nd run I'd done in the past 5 minutes or so) I got into it about 3000rpm and around 4000rpm it felt just like I had pressed the clutch in, no more pulling just the engine revving. I was only on the gas for about 3-4 seconds probably when it went, I quickly let off and coasted. I didn't know what had happened at this point. I revved it in neutral and everything sounded good. Real Time Data display on the emanage wasn't showing anything out of the norm, no oil pressure warning light, no smoke or crud trailing behind me. Air fuel was good, so I put it in 5th gear and let the clutch out and nothing weird happened. So I thought it was maybe just a hiccup of some sort, so I tried to put it back in 3rd and do a run and then I realized 3rd wasn't there. Free revving just like as if I was in neutral. So I went to the next exit and turned around and went home.
So today I hadn't done too much 3rd gear abuse, but in the past it's had quite a bit of abuse. Sometimes 20+ WOT 13-15psi runs at a time. Looks like it had just had enough this time.
Good thing I've got that AE LSD sitting in the garage
I don't know I may actually keep this trans in for a bit. Since it's already shot, but all the other gears are working just fine, I may use it as my tuning trans and just do everything in 4th gear to get the car tuned. If I blow another gear it's no biggie. I won't be daily driving the car for a long time anyways (tuned with the new injectors, an exhaust on it, etc). All I really do with it right now is take it out and tune it so it's no big deal really.
Or I could put the AE LSD in next weekend.
Or I could put the AE LSD in next weekend.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,371
Originally Posted by maxmaxima91
If your tranny did that at 13 psi what is mine going to do when i hit that kindof boost, we will have to find out soon. 9-10 psi in the next week or two
Welcome to the 3rd gear club. I wheelhopped first, then wheelhopped 2nd, then shifted into 3rd, and BOOM.
Third gear is the one always prone to crapping out because it is just as thin as 4th and 5th, while 1st and 2nd are thicker (unless I'm blind).
Anyway, using the current tranny as a tuning tranny is a really good idea. I know how it feels when you really want to go to the track, but if I were you I would hold it for a few more weeks and beat the f*ck out of this one.
Third gear is the one always prone to crapping out because it is just as thin as 4th and 5th, while 1st and 2nd are thicker (unless I'm blind).
Anyway, using the current tranny as a tuning tranny is a really good idea. I know how it feels when you really want to go to the track, but if I were you I would hold it for a few more weeks and beat the f*ck out of this one.
my 3rd gear broke about 2 years ago now and that was on a stuck clutch and flywheel. I would definitely continue tuning with the busted tranny until you get a real good tune then swap in that AE LSD tranny and hit the track. 
The cruddy thing about tuning in 4th rather than 3rd is that I have to run it out to ~130mph to tune to the end of the powerband, as opposed to ~95 for 3rd gear. But it's not that much of a change really because I am at the limit (sometimes past the limit) of traction in 3rd at 12psi anyways, so when I start tuning the higher psi levels, 13, 14, 15, etc i will have to use 4th. It's alot easier to find the space to do a 30-95 run than a 40-135 run 
I have dropped 3rd gear 3 times now. Only problem you might have is the parts/teath getting stuck in the rest of your gears. Can you hear any flopping around inside? I will be surprised if you can drive without any issues.
I hear no unusual noises whatsoever from the transmission. Otherwise I wouldn't be considering keeping it in there for a while. But I notice no bad symptoms other than the fact that the car free revs when you try to put it in 3rd.
I opened my tranny myself last week after blowing third gear, and there were pieces of gear all over.
One of those ****** gets into another set of gear, and civic guys will be bragging about almost keeping up with a maxima stuck in 5th gear from a dig.
One of those ****** gets into another set of gear, and civic guys will be bragging about almost keeping up with a maxima stuck in 5th gear from a dig.
Sorry to hear, 3rd gear is like a timebomb.
And yes, often times the shattered pieces will find their ways into bad places and tear out more gears , or stick you in one. If you aren't afraid of a towtruck ride home, hammer!
And yes, often times the shattered pieces will find their ways into bad places and tear out more gears , or stick you in one. If you aren't afraid of a towtruck ride home, hammer!
that sux. I hope mine holds out until ... well forever. Not much of a chance but a guy can hope. How are you tuning your emanage anyway? I havent installed mines yet and also considering the profec to install altogether. Is it worth it?
Originally Posted by Nealoc187
So today I hadn't done too much 3rd gear abuse, but in the past it's had quite a bit of abuse. Sometimes 20+ WOT 13-15psi runs at a time. Looks like it had just had enough this time.
and yeah 3rd gear went out like a light. when you open it up you'll be presently surprised at the metal waterfall that pours out 
what are your plans? cryo?? because 14-16 psi seems to be the breaking point no matter what...
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 111
Are all the 5th gen 5 speeds stronger than the 4th gens or just the 5th gen AE lsd ones are the ones that are built well casue i have a 96 trans with the quaife in it and i dont want to have buy an AE trans since my 3rd gear recently dissapeared last week on my 96 trans.
My hookup at Nissan actually looked at all that for me in an AE when it was being rebuilt. He put it like JClaw. He said third was much thicker than 4th and 5th and it wasn't all hollowed out like some of them can be.
What really sucks is that third is at the bottom of the shafts, so to cryo and then shotpeen you need to rip both shafts down. Neal, if you dont treat the gears at least run the Redline Shock Proof Heavy gear oil.
Like Hal said, if you dont mind a tow truck ride (get AAA
)and hammer!
Like Hal said, if you dont mind a tow truck ride (get AAA
)and hammer!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 661
From: chicago IL
Originally Posted by DanNY
are you looking to use it for your VG?
Anyways .. how much tougher are the 6 speeds. if any..?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 111
Dont mean to hoard your thread but since im getting a 2000-2001 trans will it be any different from installing the quaife on the original 96 trans since the 5th gen 5sp has to use different axles and does anybody know what bearings i have to get casue the ones from the vqpower site (38440-96E00) arent showing up on the parts list at my dealer.
Got pics??
Originally Posted by maxmaxima91
Yea through the use of an adapter plate, flywheel spacer, and custom axles. I know ill run into plenty of other hurtles but im sure ill clear them or knock them over. that is when my stock tranny goes out. Probably won't be all that long from now because ive made my kit good for at least 500 hp and my engine is prolly good to about 400 so it just a matter of how much boost i dare to run. and i know now that my stock tranny aint going to hold all that much. everything depends on $$ what i can afford at the given time.
Anyways .. how much tougher are the 6 speeds. if any..?
Anyways .. how much tougher are the 6 speeds. if any..?
Originally Posted by maxmaxima91
Yea through the use of an adapter plate, flywheel spacer, and custom axles. I know ill run into plenty of other hurtles but im sure ill clear them or knock them over. that is when my stock tranny goes out. Probably won't be all that long from now because ive made my kit good for at least 500 hp and my engine is prolly good to about 400 so it just a matter of how much boost i dare to run. and i know now that my stock tranny aint going to hold all that much. everything depends on $$ what i can afford at the given time.
Anyways .. how much tougher are the 6 speeds. if any..?
Anyways .. how much tougher are the 6 speeds. if any..?
Originally Posted by maxmaxima91
working on geting some hosted. ill most likely have then by tonight. Neals seen my setup
mrgone@maxima.org
will have them up within 30 seconds of them hitting my inbox
