Bad synchro...replace tranny and engine?

[haseltonk]

My 1-2 synchro has been out for a while (96 3cyl manual) but I've just been double clutching it…no biggie until it got cold. It's a real pain to get into gear now. I need to get it fixed so I'm thinking of the following options:

1. Replace tranny, I've read here that would be easier/cheaper than just replacing the synchro. I've never done any tranny work, so I don't know how hard this would be to do and if I want to attempt it myself. I'm sure I can do it…just a matter of if it's worth the time and frustration. If I do replace it is there anything else I should do while I'm in there (clutch, etc?).

2. Swap engine/tranny for a low mileage 4cyl. I don't even know if this is an option, but I drive 90% highway miles at 70-75mph and only get mid 30's for mileage so I'm not seeing any benefit from the 3cyl right now. Would be nice to have the 4 if mileage will be the same and I lose the buzziness. So is this an option, or would it create a bunch of other compatibility issues?

Thanks for the info...

[Crvett69]

to swap to a 4 cyl you will have to change the wiring harness and the computer and some of the mounts. its a lot of work. you can get one of the low mile JDM trannies off e-bay or a local seller for about $100-125. your car should be getting in the 40's so either your driving it real hard or something is wrong

[haseltonk]

Originally Posted by Crvett69

to swap to a 4 cyl you will have to change the wiring harness and the computer and some of the mounts. its a lot of work. you can get one of the low mile JDM trannies off e-bay or a local seller for about $100-125. your car should be getting in the 40's so either your driving it real hard or something is wrong

If it's not a simple swap I'll stay with the 3 cyl, and start looking for a used tranny. I'm not driving it hard, in fact I'm pretty easy on it other than it turns a lot of RPM's due to highway speeds. What should I look for as possible problem areas that are killing my mileage? I usually travel alone, with no cargo so that shouldn't be a factor. I could probably replace my plugs and air filter - they have about 25k mi on them, but I've had the mileage problem at least since I changed them last.

So if we assume I just replace the tranny is there anything else I should do while it's torn down? Will the clutch packs be easily accessible, etc...?

[DieInterim]

Originally Posted by haseltonk

If it's not a simple swap I'll stay with the 3 cyl, and start looking for a used tranny. I'm not driving it hard, in fact I'm pretty easy on it other than it turns a lot of RPM's due to highway speeds. What should I look for as possible problem areas that are killing my mileage? I usually travel alone, with no cargo so that shouldn't be a factor. I could probably replace my plugs and air filter - they have about 25k mi on them, but I've had the mileage problem at least since I changed them last.

So if we assume I just replace the tranny is there anything else I should do while it's torn down? Will the clutch packs be easily accessible, etc...?

Here is something on C.L.
http://portland.craigslist.org/pts/108342552.html