1994 Camaro, 5spd transmission. About a week ago I was about to take off from a stop light (normally, engine around 1500 rpms, clutch let out slowly) when I heard a loud bang and the car slipped out of first gear into neutral. Since then, it's been happening to the tune of once or twice a day, randomly. I can't tell if holding the gearshift forward prevents it from happening, or if it just doesn't do it while I happen to be doing that. I don't know much about transmissions, and am at a total loss as to what could be causing the car to pop out of gear only when I try to move from a stop. Ideas? Also, while I'm on the topic, if I shift into second gear fast, the transmission grinds. But if I do it at a reasonable speed, it's fine. Could the two be related? Thanks.

 

Well, it's gotten worse, as these things tend to do. It now slips out about 50% of the time, second gear has become my new best friend. I did a little looking around on my own, there were some technical service bulletins on the transmission popping out of gear, one of them was just reverse, and the other was mainly when it was cold and involved the shift boot retaining a "memory" and forcing the shifter out of place. I don't think it's either, but it's worth checking to see if the boot is actually interfering. Other possibilities require the transmission to be stripped down and rebuilt basically, except for a worn or loose offset lever. Is there are way to check that lever without tearing the entire transmission apart? It looks like it sits right below the shifter assembly.

Finally, less of a technical question and more of an opinion, assuming the transmission needs to be rebuilt, would it be worthwhile to go ahead and swap in a 6 speed in it's place? I'm assuming one would bolt up, seeing as it was an option, but I'm probably not seeing the whole picture.

Thanks.

 

first off, it it popping out only when you push the clutch in, or when you give it some throttle? if it pops out when you push the clutch in it is probably your syncro mesh, that would also cause grinding into second. if it pops out when you give it some throttle, you might be looking at some chipped/worn gears. your tranny probably needs to have some work done.

as far as swapping for the 6 speed. i really can't think of any trannys that will bolt up. you would also have to replace your entire drive train, the v6 has a 2 piece drive shaft, the v8 has a one piece. the rear axle is different and i am not even sure if the v6 has a torque tube. I would not try that swap.

 

the engine you have is a 60* v-6 and the 6spd has a 90* bell housing like most v-8 and most v-6 the 3.4 v6 is a rare engine and few parts interchange even from the front wheel versions. as for the rear end and drive shaft they are interchangeable the v6 camaros have 2piece drive shafts and drum rear brakes the v-8 camaros have disc rear brakes and one piece drive shafts. the rears are interchangeable and so are the drive shafts if you have them most consider the two piece drive shaft weaker since more can go wrong with them and disc brakes are considered better than drum because they stop faster so long as your not running in very high water like thru a flooded area then drums are better. to add 6 spd you need to change engine as well then you get into gauges from a v-8 as well it is a lot cheaper to buy a v-8 over converting a v-6 to a v-8 I am keeping my 94 for a daily driver v-6 5spd with 200k miles and counting my goal is 4-500k miles before I rebuild engine, transmission, and rear end then see how many miles I can keep this car on the road for.