How to tell what transmission i have?

[Supraman_Lois_Lane]

I bought an 88 MKIII and the guy says it has a r154 but some people have expressed skepticism about whether it really is a r154. How can i tell? Should i just jack up the front end and look for numbers? If so, where would they be at?

---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------

I found a thread with some answers but im not sure of what to look for. Will the inspection plate say r154?

---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------

http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10142/R154vsW58.JPG

So the r154 is on the left? Just want to make sure before I have a friend bring over his jack, and i crawl up under it.

 

[S.A. supra]

http://www.4cefed.com/w58vsr154/w58vsr154.html

 

[Supraman_Lois_Lane]

You did the job google could not.

 

[mkiiichip]

If the bellhousing had two "bolt on" inspection covers, its an R-154.

 

[te72]

If you grind into reverse nearly every time, you might have an r154.

 

[hvyman]

Both the w58 and r154 don't have syncros for reverse. W58 grinds also.

If the slave cylinder rod goes into the trans it's a r154.
If the fork sticks out the side and you can see the rod it's a w.

The bolts for the shifter cover have big washers on it.

R154 is also bigger and fills the tunnel completely.
Uses a different clutch as well.

 

[rodama5anthony]

Both the w58 and r154 don't have syncros for reverse. W58 grinds also.

If the slave cylinder rod goes into the trans it's a r154.
If the fork sticks out the side and you can see the rod it's a w.

The bolts for the shifter cover have big washers on it.

R154 is also bigger and fills the tunnel completely.
Uses a different clutch as well.

so thats y its a pain to shift into reverse sometimes, dats been bugging me since i got the car lol

 

[IJ.]

so thats y its a pain to shift into reverse sometimes, dats been bugging me since i got the car lol

With the clutch in nudge the shifter towards a forward gear first to stall the counter shaft then pull reverse it should go straight in.

 

[rodama5anthony]

With the clutch in nudge the shifter towards a forward gear first to stall the counter shaft then pull reverse it should go straight in.

thanks IJ! hopefully now i wont get stuck in the middle of a 3-point turn ^^

 

[kneedragger85]

If the slave cylinder rod goes into the trans it's a r154.
If the fork sticks out the side and you can see the rod it's a w58.

Easiest way to tell while underneath.

Here's some pics I made when I was 1JZ shopping and one owner thought the bellhousings/flywheels were compatible. :3d_frown: Although different bellhousings, it still gives you a clear idea of how different they are with the slave cylinder.

 

[92nsx]

^^^^ A+ post, pics do all the talking. Members respond well to pics

 

[Supraman_Lois_Lane]

Yup. I must have a r154. It is not smooth like people have described the w58 tranny. Its rough and gritty and i grind into reverse almost everytime. Ill crawl underneath once this damn new england spring rain stops.

 

[OneJArpus]

If anyone described the R154 as smooth/or smoother then the w58, then i doubt they have ever: 1. driven with a R154 or 2. Driven a car with a smooth as butter transmission.
^R154 = notchy & strong trans

W58 = Smoother shifting but weaker

 

[D.J.T.]

Yep, i was showing a girl how to drive & she couldn't get it in 1st so it was pointless. Maybe she'll do better in the MK2. SUPER SMOOTH...

& ahhh i thought grinding into reverse wasn't normal. Happy to know i was wrong.

 

[87GWSupra]

Another way to tell is the center plate on the R154 is iron while the W58 is aluminum.

 

[chris_2jz]

I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who grinds reverse. Good thread

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

 

[laotionracer101]

+1 for grinds

 

[PureDrifter]

thanks for this thread to those that contributed info, helped me confirm that i have a W58....
that i need to replace...

because i'm pretty sure my ham-fisted shifting bent my no.3 shift fork (can't get it into 5th at ALL :3d_frown

 

[A-to-the-J]

Turbo > R154, N/A > W58

I think we all overlooked the fact that it's on the driver side ID tag on the door or chassis. unless the PO swapped it. Does the ID Tag on the firewall, under the hood, have it too?

 

[boostcraver]

Turbo > R154, N/A > W58

I think we all overlooked the fact that it's on the driver side ID tag on the door or chassis. unless the PO swapped it. Does the ID Tag on the firewall, under the hood, have it too?

I guess I'm in trouble then, cuz I have two shells that are both missing the ID tags on the FW...