91 trans bad, what to do?

[race_to_live]

i have a 91 trans that is bad. i don't know what to do. should i do some kind of swap or just fix it? a few gears are chewed up and the syncros are gone. just to get the trans rebuild is going to be around 1500 or more. so what is the best way and is also cost effective?

[brand]

Get a used transmission (and diff if necessary) and swap it in.

[Matt Monson]

Get a used transmission (and diff if necessary) and swap it in.

Not really as easy as you make it sound. The 5MT SS with 3.9FD was a vehicle with only several thousand of them ever made. Because it's got a pull style clutch AND a 3.9 it's a pretty rare bird.

It's different than the USDM WRX because it has a 1.1:1 reduction gear in the center diff and runs a 3.54 rear end. So unless you get complete gearbox with the differential, you can't run that one. However, it's a good option with what I consider to be better gearing than your stock gearbox. That will be cheaper than a $1500 rebuild.

While they don't come up for sale every day, if the car isn't your daily and you can wait a bit, watch the classifieds for someone parting out a 5MT car. Just be ready to pay $200 in shipping on top of whatever they want for it.

Lastly, if you haven't already, go join AWDpirates.net. It's a local Colorado forum and a bunch of us drive old Leggies like yours. Put up a WTB thread there in the classifieds and you might get lucky. Also doesn't hurt to call Suba Performance in Denver and Super Rupair in Boulder. Both of them might have what you need.