A friend of mine is looking at buying a 323 GTX.... car is practically perfect, minus the tranny is gone. How much for a new/used tranny? how hard would it be to put in? or what would labor be?


stupid questions maybe... oh well this will decide the buy... we have 3 days

 

I have had a few friends that had GTX's Street and Rally versions, and they were always complaining that the trannys were **** and broke all the time. The problem is they are hard to find and are very expensive.
From everything I have heard I would stay away from GTX's, too bad since thay are fun cars

 

If he ends up buying it, tell him to make sure that the crank pulley isn't wobbling. If it is then DON'T buy it. If it isn't then loctite the bolt anyways. The crank pulley being loose will kill the keyway on the crankshaft and throw the cam timing way off, thus causing lots of problems. My brother went through 3 engines in the past year because of this. I've heard this is a common problem on the GTX especially.

 

here is the reply from the owner, he was really quick and seems knowledgable too. what do you guys say now?

 

I'd say buy it. Finding a GTX in the states is rare. They're fun cars to be made into projects or not. You can always find a gearbox for it. You don't have to stay away from GTX gearboxes. However, if you do want a stronger gearbox, try to find a gearbox from a GTR (prolly hard to do).

****, you can stick a regular FWD gearbox in it until you find a GTR/GTX box.

I think there was someone on this board that bought a GTR engine that still had the 4WD gearbox on it, but he had no use for it. Might do a search and see if he still has it and buy it from him. You can make do with that until you find a GTR gearbox.

Though, if you do put in a GTX gearbox, just maintain it, don't abuse it, and it'll last with no problems.
People that put in 3-4 puck clutch plates (or any springless plates for that matter) and launch them at every street light shouldn't expect their gearboxes to last very long and will go through them like hotcakes.

GTX gearboxes are not made for dragging, and the springs in stock clutch plates are there for a reason.

 

Can a 93 GTr tranny be used on a 88? its the old style . if thats the case theres a kid on here thats selling a 90-94 GTX tranny that he got on his bpt motor ...Jon

 

A good place to look for cars/parts for the GTX is Ben Bradley's rally website. There are usually a few for sale at any given time, and occasionally all the trick tranny parts.

I too have several friends with GTXs, and have navigated a few rallies in them, if it's in good shape BUY IT! They are a blast!!

tom

 

The only problem i have heard about with the 88 GTX is the rear differential not getting the fluid changed. Something along those lines .. How much r they asking for it ? how many miles?...Jon

 

FWIW, the tranny is the weak point on the car. Stock trannies/transfer cases are good for about 200hp, then they have to be "built" up (costing anywhere from $2k - $6K).

There are "parts" cars available state-side, you just have to know where to look. There is a 323 GTX user group on yahoo:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/323gtx/messages

And it's the place for tech questions or WTB.