Rep Power: 0

I have a 2002 Honda Civic EX manual with 84,000 miles. I purchased it last year from a college student who must have thought it was a race car. He cut the muffler to a straight pipe which I replaced with a Flowmaster muffler, now for about 1-2 months, I have had a problem with 2nd gear. First works fine but when I release the clutch in 2nd it pops out and grinds. I bought it to 4 tranny shops and all 4 agree that it is my 2nd gear shift synchos.. I have read that this is a common problems from Hondas from 2001-2003 and am wondering what everyone thinks.. Should I rebuild my transmissions 2nd gear set and synchos at a cost of like 1300 bux or buy a rebuilt/used tranny for about 1k and possibly have the same problem again? Im not sure what to do all the estimates I am getting are different my lowest is by S&R Racing 3 transmission mounts 59.26 each - 177.78
the rebuild 864.50 9.5 hrs labor
honda clutch 203.00
flywheel resurface 35.00
shop fee 25.00
= with tax 1396.65 is that good?
also why does everyone keep telling me that since I have the tranny open I should replace the clutch.. There is nothing wrong with my clutch? They say better to replace it now rather than later..what do you think? rebuilt, used or can I replace it with another less faulty modeled transmission?

 
Rep Power: 285

All transmissions develop grinds eventually, your best option would be to do a rebuild if you plan on keeping the car long term.

 
Rep Power: 512

You can get a factory-spec rebuilt tranny from synchrotech-transmissions.com for $800 plus shipping, and you arrange for pickup of your old transmission.. I put one in "my cart" to see how much shipping was, and to Las Vegas, it totaled about $880..

I've looked into them a little bit and haven't seen anything bad about them yet.

 
Rep Power: 0

they are telling you to replace the clutch because they will have the transmission out already and it probabaly needs to be replaced. and 200 for the clutch? what a rip off. anyway if you do have it rebuilt i have found a replacement retainer for the isb (thread at the top of the page) that isnt made of the cheap plastic that it is orginaly made with wich causes problems

 
Rep Power: 512

$200 for the clutch sounds about right.. for a Honda OEM one from the dealership.

I'd personally go with an aftermarket OEM replacement for hella cheaper. The Exedy OEM replacement is under $100, and it's a full clutch kit (pressure plate, friction plate, bearings, alignment tool)