[alfa] Re: gear lightening / 2nd synchro

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Peter, and group:

I think I've said this before, but I'll say it again.  I've been driving 
105/115 Alfa's since the late 70's, and before I began reading this Digest 
I never knew there was a second-gear synchro problem.  I've also never had 
to perform any kind of gearbox repair, nor I ever been aware that any 
gearbox repairs were done to any Alfa I've ever owned.  When I've driven 
lesser cars, like the several BMW's I've bought new (325e, 535i, M5, M3), 
I've always wished they had a gearbox as pleasant to use as the one in the 
Alfa that I happened to own at the time.  What's next?  Are some of you 
guys going to start complaining about Spica injection?

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's

At 12:36 PM 8/30/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 12:17:13 -0700
> From: "Peter Kemos" <pskemos@domain.elided>
> Subject: gear lightening / 2nd synchro
>
> The frequently heard complaint of weak second gear synchros is a MYTH.
>
> The fact of the matter is that the transmissions were not built for US style
> "stop-light-grand-prix-racing", where one launches off in first gear and
> then slams the transmission into second, using force, not finesse.
> The reason that the vast majority of US Alfa transmissions have faulty 2nd
> gear synchros is because they were abused by hack drivers, whether the
> previous or current owner or both.
>
> I bought my current 73 GTV about 10 years ago.  The PO had had the car about
> 6 years at that point and had done zero transmission work, so the tranny is
> now at least 16 years old, and may well be an original unrebuilt unit
> alltogether.
>
> This car has since undergone a gradual transformation from beater to decent
> street ride to competitive club racer.  The one thing i have to date never
> worked on is the transmission.  It shifts perfectly well into second,
> whether up or down, and i neither heel and toe, nor baby it.
>
> Sorry about the rant but the "why did Alfa make such a weak 2nd
> synchro......" sets me off a little.
> There is nothing wrong with wanting to get the gears lightened, as it does
> allow for quicker shifts, but at the same time there is nothing wrong or
> weak about the stock design either.
> There, i feel better now.
>
> Peter Kemos
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