Best/cheapest place to get a 915 rebuilt in L.A. area?

Mark Dia Gruppe · 03-29-2009, 02:33 AM

Well, my box is on its way out on my 3.2. It popped out of 1st gear yesterday under full throttle (what a fright!) and since then it's been doing it all the time under normal load conditions. My synchro is shot more than likely. I tried adjusting the linkage/coupler, but it didn't help anything. Shifter bushings look OK too. Also, 2nd gear is hard to get into, always has been since I've owned the car. Anyhow, I would like to get my trans rebuilt somewhere in the Los Angeles area at a reputable shop. I'm sure a lot of you on here have first hand experience of the places to avoid and the good guys. I am also open to the idea of buying a used (good) trans and swapping it out. Any advice people have here is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

-Mark

tab tanner · 03-29-2009, 04:09 AM

If you feel like shipping it to me I'll rebuild it for you

Mark Dia Gruppe · 03-29-2009, 10:42 AM

PM'd

Mark Dia Gruppe · 03-30-2009, 08:05 AM

anyone else have suggestions?? Not looking for CHEAPEST but a good shop that doesn't charge your first born child rates.

scottb · 03-30-2009, 08:17 AM

Call Dave at TRE Motorsports. www.tremotorsports.com.

Peter Zimmermann · 03-30-2009, 08:48 AM

Mark: Normally I could suggest an exchange, but for an '84 M 491 car you would be well-advised to stick with the original unit, type 915/70 (USA model). Give Marc a call at Red Line in Long Beach (562) 901-2900.

jbell959 · 03-30-2009, 09:03 AM

Henry Schmidt at Supertec Performance in Fallbrook

scottb · 03-30-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

Mark: Normally I could suggest an exchange, but for an '84 M 491 car you would be well-advised to stick with the original unit, type 915/70 (USA model).

Peter: I have an 84, and I'm curious why you recommend staying with the original unit instead of going with an exchange. Can you elaborate a bit?

Thanks!

DW SD · 03-30-2009, 10:03 AM

many pelicans are shipping to John Walker in Seattle. I've seen dozens of recommendations for John.

Peter Zimmermann · 03-30-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottb

Peter: I have an 84, and I'm curious why you recommend staying with the original unit instead of going with an exchange. Can you elaborate a bit?

Thanks!

The 915/70 uses axle flanges compatible with larger CV joints, and the trans type number can actually be used as an identifier for a legit '84 M 491 car. I could easily swap the flanges into a 915/68, used as an exchange trans, and send the car down the road, but someone doing a PPI for the car's next owner might say, "Hey, what gives with this?" M 491s are pretty rare, and I think that keeping them intact, when possible, is a good idea.

Mark Dia Gruppe · 03-30-2009, 10:28 AM

Ok, I contacted TRE motorsports and they quoted $2500-$3000 if I pull the trans and install it myself, with a 1 year warranty. I'm still going to keep my eyes peeled for a better price, as I was quoted around $1500 from a fella out of state. Thanks for the other leads guys! Much appreciated!

gtc · gtc's Garage

What parts did that include? Hard to know if that's a good deal without knowing what all they're going over/replacing.
John Walker did a great job (and did it quickly) on mine.

Peter Zimmermann · 03-30-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Dia Gruppe

Ok, I contacted TRE motorsports and they quoted $2500-$3000 if I pull the trans and install it myself, with a 1 year warranty. I'm still going to keep my eyes peeled for a better price, as I was quoted around $1500 from a fella out of state. Thanks for the other leads guys! Much appreciated!

Out of state, in state, none of that matters. The fix-it labor will be pretty much the same, the quality of the job and the parts list determines how good the trans will shift and how long it will last.

Also, definitely find out if your car is fitted with LSD.

john walker's workshop · 03-30-2009, 12:51 PM

yeah, if you have LSD, then you want to still have it when you get the trans back.

Rob Channell · 03-30-2009, 06:33 PM

Yeah, what John said.....and if you do not have LSD then you might want to have it when you get the trans back....

If the M491's are really that rare then an M491 with LSD installed is even better. Right?

RSTarga · 03-30-2009, 06:39 PM

You're going to have to live with that box forever. I'd go for the most reputable shop. In the long run a 1000 more will be forgaotten.

Mark Dia Gruppe · 03-30-2009, 06:44 PM

Unfortunately, it didn't come with LSD from the factory. I never intended on getting rid of my gearbox, just swapping it for a good one for now, and then I could rebuild the original box in no big hurry (with an LSD of course

)
I have some prices now from various shops and I'm going to just have mine rebuilt now. I'll just have to miss my car for a week or so

jurhip · 03-31-2009, 05:58 AM

If you have time and space - do it yourself. Plan on spending some extra for tools though.

javadog · 03-31-2009, 07:34 AM

I hate to say this but I have never price shopped for parts or service work on a car. I usually try to find the best guy out there for a particular job and I always use factory parts, bought from a dealer.

There are more crap parts out there than you'd think and it's getting worse every day. There are also scads of shops that really shouldn't ever get their hands on these cars. Be careful when you make your final selection. The only thing worse than having to rebuild a gearbox when you didn't expect it is to have it not work well when it's done. I've seen that many times....

Just my 2 cents....

JR

nameisbauer · nameisbauer's Garage

TRE did mine. Great job.