MP3 with MP2 5th gear

[David Jameson]

After 2 weeks of owning an SL2 (after 9 years in an SL1) my only question is "where are these guys getting the gears?" I assume they are NOT ordering them from a Saturn dealer. Do you need to buy a whole used MP2 and cannibalize it? Also, how many hours of labor does it take a good shop to do it? I've never taken a tranny apart and don't plan to start on a car I just bought.

[asdf]

It's not very cost effective to order a gear from Saturn, although it is an option.

I pulled one out at the junkyard, all it that was required was to rip out the inner fender splash shields (the wheels are already off), remove the 6 or so small bolts from the side cover, shift the car into 1st gear, take the side cover off, remove the 5th/Reverse fork retainer, so that the shift fork is free to move along the shift shaft, and move it to shift it into 5th gear. Remove the shaft nuts, and pull the gears off.

Technically you might run into a tranny every now and then that has a pressed-fit gear, in this case you won't be able to simply slide it out by hand, you will have to use a puller of some sort.

All you need is the drive and driven gears. Cost me $10. I installed them into my transaxle when I overhauled it (leaking input shaft/damaged shaft bearing).

There are different kinds of 5th gears. The fuel injected SOHC have the lowest ratio of all.

It was a pretty drastic change from the performance ratio 5th gear. You won't be able to maintain a speed of 55 to 60 MPH on the steeper grade hills without using a lot of throttle. If you have the cruise set at 60, what I do is bump the clutch pedal to flick the switch, and keep the gas pedal at a steady position until I have reached the top of the hill, at which point I may be traveling 50-55 MPH depending on the steepness.

If you don't want a drastic change, but still very noticeable, go with a TBI SOHC.

If you are changing the gear in a '96 or newer, the cruise will become disabled unfortunately.

[David Jameson]

Thanks for the info!


I will probably end up buying a whole tranny. If one can be found that is not too pricey. I've seen them cheap (but with high miles) on ebay.

The junkyards I've been to recently insist on watching you remove any parts and they aren't too thrilled if it's going to take a long time. This sounds like it could. I did like the part about the ten bucks, though. Saturn probably charges ten bucks per tooth for a new one.


Thanks again- D.Jameson

[asdf]

Well it takes about 15 minutes if you don't run into any problems. You could make it faster if you were really in a hurry.

Fortunately I know of a small, very private junkyard in the middle of a forrest out in the goonies. There are just a handful of Saturns, but I was lucky enough to find a '95 SOHC. He knows me, he knows I respect the place, and that I pretty much 'own' the Saturn section.

After you pull the gears, stick the side cover back on and tighten a couple of bolts to help keep weather out, just in case someone in the future might be able to salvage more parts from it.

[asdf]

Originally Posted by David Jameson

Also, how many hours of labor does it take a good shop to do it?

I should also add, just as with removing the gears at the junkyard, installing them is a rather simple in-vehicle operation.

The only disassembly required is the driver's side wheel, inner splash shields, trans end cover, and then the removal of the gears.

The only parts required for reassembly is a new shift fork retainer, cover gasket, and shaft nuts from Saturn, basically a few dollars worth of parts.

[David Jameson]

Hmmm. Very interesting. I guess I can do it myself, then; I'll just practice on the old one until I feel confident about opening up my own.

There are 2 Saturn trannies on ebay right now...maybe I can get one there...


DJ