Haven't drove my turbo SC in ages due to the transmission.
Had the transmission rebuilt early of this year, but i guess the person that did my rebuilt took shortcuts. Bought the rebuild kit from driftmotion and also replaced the thrust washer for 1st to 2nd gear (marlin crawler thrust washer) and additional Marlin crawler parts.

Now, i assume the thrust washer for 4th to 5th is destroyed now since i can't get into 5th gear.

3rd gear moderately grinds, reverse locks up every time going down my driveway.

Planning in having it rebuilt again, but with the right people this time. However, its going to cost me well over $1200+ to get it done right.

I would do it myself, but i don't have the tools, space or experience to do it.

My other plan was to just buy another R154 probably a soarer r154 this time instead of having it rebuilt.

What is everyone's opinion on this?

and here's a photo of my car to give more color for the thread.
yes, i know not much of a good picture...

 

Wow you just had it rebuilt too? Someone deff doesn't know whta there doing. The R154 is a more tricky transmission on the inside its hard to find the rite guy I'd say give it another shot or just find another used one and throw it in.

I mean I found one for under 400$ unknown mileage. Ive had it in the car now for 3k miles (No MC upgrades yet) and I'm making around 500 whp. I boost it daily with no issues. So I mean they can hold power for sure.

 

Manual transmissions can be a pain to get right and 75% of the people out there just simply swap out syncros and bearings without even setting the preloads which will shorten the life by 90% so most likely the problem is either worn engagement teeth on the gears them selves, detent ***** in the wrong spot or missing,and of course no preload being set.

It sounds like your trans guy is a newb parts changer and does not fully grasp how a manual transmission works.

Did the trans grind before it was "rebuilt" ?

 

Do not drive the car another inch as it sounds like it is still salvageable so just find a trans guy who has exp and sets the pre loads.

 

^Ya I mean did you get a warranty at all from the guy who rebuilt it? It might just be better to find another one cheap and while thats in, rebuild/build the other one.

 

I'm at 450 whp, my w58 that was in before it seem to hold better, but was on low boost the entire time. Buying another supra r154 is probably the most affordable.

When i had it installed, it grind a little, but not until i came back from a deployment and found out my buddy of mine, that was watching my car decided to drive the **** out of it and destroyed my thrust washer.... then got one of his coworkers to rebuild my transmission.

Wish it was that easy, I don't really trust anyone to work on my car in the local area anymore... I get my car worked on at zenmotors now, but their located about 2 and 1/2 hours away.

Wish i had more funds, but ever sense i bought another SC, I'm on a budget...

 

Had a guy rebuilt it at his house, he does vehicles maintenance in the military, went to him cause my buddy that broke it referred me to him and told me he was a specialist in transmissions, so i gave it a shot.


Wish i done that before i bought another SC, to buy another r154 and get the current one rebuilt for the 2nd time the correct way.

 

What about sending it to Marlin Crawler for a proper refresh?

 

That's not a bad idea. Might do that, just have to save up and buy myself more tools to remove the transmission.

 

No need to send to MC,and thats about $1600+ for rebuild and shipping .you are in ga and their is supra shop in your area they are the best when it comes rebuilding R154,V160 and W58 i will find you the name of the shop .here
https://www.speedforsale.com/supraparts/

 

That's even better! Much appreciated

 

This is nice, but if i send one of my W58's built stronger etc seems like i am spending R154 money so id rather just buy a R154...But great info!!

 

I think it will be rebuild with stock parts, and i wouldn't do it ..its waste of money because it's just matter of time till it breakS again...

 

At least its not a DSM transmission.

You guys don't know crap about constantly rebuilding (2-4 times average) your drivetrain.

Thank god.

And what sucks the worst is it's AWD, so there is a ton of other stuff to remove every time.

I'll never be able to afford a V160, so it's MCR154 build and a good JDM clutch for me.

 

Don't say that, it's not true don't say never if you want it you will get or if you need it you will get it it may take some time
I used to sing to same song that "i will never spend the money on V160 that if i get to the point where i need one i will just stop making power why because i couldnt justify spending that kind of money" but that changed really quick
You just have to work you way up if you don't have that kind of money to dump in your car because not everyone does .
I wish i would went that route couple years ago, i was stuck on R154 thinking i will never need more power and that i will never be able to afford a 6speed , that not true.
I will not not shut anyone down for having an R154, it's a great tranny if it built the "right way" i made a little over 5XXrwhp on mine and loved it, till it started to blow the seals out.