Metal in Tranny Fluid

I'm having a local shop put in my new ACT clutch and flywheel (after 118,000 miles the original clutch is done for) only to have them call me and let me know that there is metal fragments in my tranny fluid. Clearly, my tranny is going bad. So, the question I have is this, has anyone rebuilt an 02-03 WRX 5 speed? It seems like getting stronger gear sets run 1500 or so and rebuilding it can run up to 1200 (flatironstuning.com) Obviously I want to spend less! Any ideas?

O yeah, I also am done dealing with shops in 'Kato. Snell motors is taking me for a ride right now. Can I get tranny repair and parts like that at the Subaru dealerships in the cities? If so how much ballpark on prices?

And last but not least, after putting on that Tein basic coilover setup, my camber plate bolt on the drivers side catches, for whatever reason, when the wheel is turned. Had a the local Midas shop look at it (good guys) and they said it isn't hurting anything, but they, nor I, can find anything to make it stop. WD-40 doesn't work. It only does it on the one side and has since only after my coilovers where installed. Any ideas?

As always, thanks for all the help. Geese, I'm gone for five weeks on work and everything goes to hell!

 

talk to rs motors. they can.

 

try and find a functioning 04 transmission.

thats what I did.

 

well, how big are they fragements? I'd inquiry real hard and want to see them before repairing or replacing a transmission.

FYI: Might be cheaper and just as quick to source another complete transmission.

What mods and engine work do you currently have or foresee in the future? replacing short block? Or sticking with your current engine? 118K is getting up there.

I personally wouldn't throw money at upgraded gears unless I was planning over 270 awhp. Getting another complete stock 04- 05 transmission is cheaper and okay with that power.

 

also the 04 gears are thinker so they hold power a little better.

 

for 1500 you are talking about RA gears which are a complete waste of money. save your duckets for a six speed or PPG gearset, or throw in a used tranny. if you want me to check it out hit me up. im in kato during tbge week.

 

rs has a 6 speed there i believe? call them up.

 

try fully disengaging the clutch during shifts.

 

i could get you a brand new 07 sti trans for right around $3800


but it sounds like they are pulling your leg, your trans drain plug has a magnet, it catches metals, mine has had metal on it since i got the car (at 103K) it has 198K on it now.

 

Sounds like the hard sell to me.Did the tranny any whining sound when you stepped on or let off the gas in gear? Did it grind when going into any of the gears?

 

Yeah, this. Unless you're actually having grinding/shifting problems...

 

So far, no grinding into gears (unless its my fault). In fact, as far as I can tell, the tranny feels fine. I know a lot of guys complain about not being able to get into first gear anywhere above 10 mph on the 02-03, I can still pull it in first at about 20 (as long as I rev match).

Good, it sounds like I get let it go for a while and see if it gets worse.

I gotta admit, after putting in the new clutch, I stalled out the car about 3 times getting out of the parking lot at Snell... I didn't realize how bad my old one was! This sucker just grabs and goes now! Very nice.

 

dont replace it until there is a problem.
if youre really worried, look into the uncle scotties coctail for your trans, Grimmspeed sells them.

http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=76