I HAVE A THEORY!

"valve_float" (valve_float) 02/08/2014 at 21:34 • Filed to: None

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Please read and give me your thoughts

My miata's transmission blew the fuck up. It's my fault, I'll admit to that. I drove around, kicking clutches and smoking tires, and i killed the fuck out of it. Sure, you could still 'drive' it, but you couldn't ENJOY driving it because of how many things inside are broke. I know my blatant abuse was the main reason for failure, but I can't help but think there might be a couple of contributing factors. One of those was, from the factory, the transmission was filled with the wrong type of gear oil. It was filled with GL-5, which is harmful to yellow metal. The syncro's in this transmission are yellow metal. What it is supposed to have in it is GL-4, which has a less severe additive blend, and is not harmful to yellow metal. (on a side note, what all the drift guys run in these is Pennzoil or GM Syncromesh, as it doesn't stick to the sides of the case, which is a real problem with high rpm usage.)

That leads me to the other contributing factor. The short shifter I installed not long after buying it.

It's my belief that the quickened shift action has accelerated the wear, or in my case, the abuse, on the rails and shift forks and gears and syncros and all the other little parts that I don't yet know about inside, as well as my clutch due to the fact that i would have to operate it faster in order to keep up with the now improved shift action.

So, with that said, what say you, girls and guys of OPPO?

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > valve_float 02/08/2014 at 21:48

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LS swap time!

And yes, I agree beating the crap out of your car will wear it out faster than driving it like grandma. But that's what you bought it for so you really can't complain.

JGrabowMSt > valve_float 02/08/2014 at 21:53

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Most definitely in regards to the short shifter. One thing you may have noticed was a slight grind when shifting too quickly, or when the trans wasn't warmed up. This is because the syncros are nothing like a Koenigsegg, and you need to take your time shifting. Slow is fast, smooth is good.

About the fluids though...I doubt that the issue was specifically down to GL-5 vs GL-4. What may have played far greater a role is whether or not it has a proper zinc additive (or lack thereof for some cars). Not all bearings are created equal, nor are they lubricated the same way. Using the wrong type of trans fluid or oil in your transmission could actually cause the correct lubrications from slowly escaping where they really need to be. That will cause significantly increase wear, or other bad things.

I've had a few too many transmission issues over the past 3 years. I also briefly worked with a mechanic who specialized in transmissions (for 25+ years).

Squid > valve_float 02/08/2014 at 22:03

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If you had GL-5 in there with your short shifter I'd say that was a contributing factor. But if you were just slamming it into gear and kicking the clutch all the time that would accelerate any other issues you already had. Generally the short shifter shouldn't be the cause of your tranny failure. It is more than likely the repeated shocks of kicking the clutch to try to drift causing the majority of your damage.

Squid > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 02/08/2014 at 22:03

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I still can't believe that there is a one eyed dildo on a childrens program. . .

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Squid 02/08/2014 at 22:06

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How many eyes are on your kids' dildos?

Squid > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 02/08/2014 at 22:07

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I don't have any kids, so I guess ALL THE EYES!