Thread: Car vs car situation

This isnt a general "this car is better than that car" threads.. But I'm more asking for advice.

First I'll own up to the mistakes I made. Earlier this year I decided I'd try to rebuild my own transmission. Probably didnt do as well as I could have, but one of the major mistakes I made is not replacing the torque converter. The trans had a STRONG reverse, and the fluid inside the converter was free of flakes and really great looking fluid. I thought it would be ok. 1,200 miles later, the trans is shifting funky while hot (275*F) and earlier today, just didnt have any highway acceleration. Quite literally 5000rpm @45, 75% throttle, and 0 acceleration. Yet I could stop and climb my driveway. I should have replaced the converter, especially since it has 200k on it currently, but alas, live and learn.

So I'm not sure if it's too much clearance in the trans, or a faulty converter, but regardless. I'll be replacing the trans with a junkyard unit, get a new or remanufactured converter and scrapping my current ones.

The car vs car issue comes in with this.. During this second replace, I'm not exactly sure what I want to do..

1) Should I just hammer out the trans job in a few days and call it good and hope the JY trans doesnt have issues?
2) Should I re-register the previous car (99 accord) during the repair until the GTP is up to par?
3) Quickly replace the trans with a JY one, sell both cars and grab a different car with both cars funds?

Holy balls 275 degree trans temp, that is what killed it.


I can't really decide for you on what you think is right to do.

If you are getting tired of both the GTP and accord and want to get a new car is all up to you go with option 3. But option 2 seems best, why not make sure the GTP is in tip top shape instead of bandaging it up like option 1 .

All my issues seemed to start with a NAPA thermostat. will probably take that thing out tomorrow. And the only issue really is the trans.

My buddy's been pressuring me to buy a civic with a B18 swap, but I really dont want to get back into honda. Maybe I'll check out the 87 firebird down the road..

Seems like if the trans is the only problem I would keep it replace the trans and keep on trucking!

And a swapped Honda unless you know a bit about them can be a pain to troubleshoot and finding a shop to work on them can be a pain.

even finding parts to some of those... I know a guy with a 93 civic hatch with 96 prelude engine.. I dont think there's a readily available CV axle he could just buy at a parts store...

If I was to go for another car.. there's this really sexy rust free 350hp 87 firebird for sale.. It tempts me every time I drive by it for work

Yup had a buddy that sold his EP3 and bought a swapped B18 or B20 turbo'd and blew his crap up. Since he wasn't the one that did the swap he had no idea what kind of half ass hack the guy before him did until he pulled the motor. I've been helping him over the last few weeks to get it back running and what a pain.

Yeah I'll never buy an already swapped honda... I'll swap it myself, but that's it. I think I'll replace the trans and converter and drive the gtp until next spring. The thing reaching 275+ happened after being in traffic at a stop light. engine coolant temp hit 230 rather quick. So replace trans and converter, and install a shift kit and trans cooler.. And replace the T-stat with a non-NAPA one. Might have to wire a switch to the radiator fans as well..

Yay project..

If you're worried about a junkyard trans, check car-part.com for what local auto recyclers have. I got a non-hd trans that had been resealed, coated and dyno test for a very fair price on there.

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

If you're worried about a junkyard trans, check car-part.com for what local auto recyclers have. I got a non-hd trans that had been resealed, coated and dyno test for a very fair price on there.

You're a little too far away from saratoga NY to make it worth the drive. Worse comes to worse I can pick up a non-HD, swap over my differential and hardened 4th shaft, and pay a local to change the ratio's in the ECU.

There is a pick and pull about an hour away.. Could get a trans for $125 with tax and everything. I get paid on the 4th, so the project will have to start on the 8th.. I'm just hoping with all the slipping that's going on it'll make it...