Bell Housing Brace Install...

[NOMIEZVR4]

EDIT: SEE BELOW FOR 'HOW-TO' install the bell housing brace

Anyone here installed their own brace? I just got mine and would like to start tearing up the trans in my shop, however I don't have too much experience with opening transmissions and I don't want to ruin my tranny.

I was thinking about taking pictures and making this a "how-to" for others who may be interested in installing a bell housing brace, however I need help myself first..:D

Anyone?

[Hans@GZP]

You can remove just the bell housing. First step would be to remove the clutch fork and throw out bearing, then the shifter shaft (4 10mm bolts and 2 12mm bolts). Next, take out the pieces that are bolted to the side of the bell housing by the shifter shaft with an adjustable wrench (one is spring loaded) and there is one 13mm bolt. Finally, unbolt the bell housing from the mid case. There is one bolt that goes through the clutch side of the bell housing, the rest go through the mid case and into the bell housing.

With the bell housing off, you will have to do some grinding. We use carbide cutting bits (same used for porting heads) to grind the aluminum away to make way for the brace.

[BaadVR4]

While it doesn't give you a tutorial on how to remove the bell housing, and your brace might be slightly different from mine, this thread does show the basics of what needs to be ground an where the plate is welded.

http://www.3sgto.org/showthread.php?772-Bell-Housing-Brace

Good luck.

[NOMIEZVR4]

Thanks guys, I will take pictures and ask questions as I begin to disassemble the trans!

[NOMIEZVR4]

As promised, here is a step by step tutorial on how to install the bell housing brace for the 6 speed 3/s transmission. :)

The brace sold by Pampena Motorsports
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0401.jpg

We begin dis-assembly by first removing the clutch fork and TOB..just pops out. Simple really.
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/2011-01-14121854.jpg

We then remove the shifter shaft (4 10mm bolts..only 2 are visible in the picture and 2 12mm bolts).
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/2011-01-14121827.jpg

The other portion of the Shifter assembly(the 2 12mm Bolts)
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0399.jpg

Then we remove the 13mm bolt as seen here(in the middle)
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/2011-01-14121842.jpg

The shaft removed.
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0397.jpg

Now we can begin to remove the bolts that hold the bell housing to the midcase. All of the bolts with the exception of one are on the outside of the bell housing.
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0398.jpg

One bolt is on the inside of the bell housing as seen here..
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/2011-01-14121854-1.jpg

[NOMIEZVR4]

The bell housing removed..
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0394.jpg

The midcase...
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0395.jpg

The next step involves some grinding to make sure the brace sits flush inside the bell housing. I thought I took pictures of this step but I couldn't find them...sorry..:D

After the grinding was done, I had my machinist weld the brace in place.
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0404.jpg
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0405.jpg
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/nomiezvr4/IMAG0403.jpg

And Viola...your brace is now installed. :Clap:

Re-assembly is pretty straight forward. I had a little trouble sliding the shifter shaft back in place, you just have to be careful to line everything up so the shaft slides easily into place. :)

Any questions I will be more than happy to answer. Thanks to Hans for the initial helpful information.

Nomie

[MR2]

what the hell, how black is the inside of your gearbox? did you paint it or just run the same oil for 100,000km?

[NOMIEZVR4]

My VR-4 spun a bearing the same day I purchased it...lol So I couldn't tell you...however, I do plan to flush the trans before toping off the fluid. :)

[Hans@GZP]

Yea, I don't think I've ever seen a trans that black inside with it still being able to operate :lol:

[MR2]

hate to tell you but sounds like it's been treated like crap...suggest a 160km service while she's down buddy.

[NOMIEZVR4]

Haha..lol

Trust me, this thing is getting a full make-over. Built bottom end, 19t's, ported heads, e85, standalone, the works...I'm just trying to remain patient while my block is getting finished at the machine shop. I don't have all the numbers in front of me, but I'm well beyond 5k into this car thus far...

While we are on the topic, do you guys have any suggestions as to what I should use to flush the trans?

The 38 miles that I was able to drive the car, the transmission shifted well...:D At least the t-case fluid looked pretty clean..as soon as I get her started a build thread will ensue..

Nomie

[Hans@GZP]

I wouldn't worry about trying to flush it. Just run some good trans fluid in there and you'll be ok. We recommend using Amsoil Manual Trans Gear Oil.