Customer Reviews

How to Build & Modify High-Performance Manual Transmissions (S-A Design) (Sa Design) (Performance How-To)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this book, not knowing whether I would be able to open up a Muncie 4 speed and get it back together again. I read it thouroughly and now I am convinced that I can do it. The photos are excellent and the content of the book is to the point. It was designed for the reader to realize what he is getting into, and to get the job done. The author is sincere in his desire to help you get a manual transmission apart, figure out what needs to be repaired or replaced, and then get it all back together again. For the reader such as myself who wants to get a Muncie repaired, I would definitely recommend the video by the same author, as the book and the video go together very well. Both are worth the money. They will both save you money because you can do the job yourself.

This book offers the most comprehensive information that I have come across.
The photography and instruction are exceptionally clear especially for novices like myself.

I bought this book partly for its overview of manual transmissions, but mostly for its supposed information on the A833s. The front cover promises detailed coverage of the A833 (and other transmissions); the rear cover says the book will guide you through the "rebuilding process" for the A833.

Surprise! The book has absolutely nothing on working on this transmission. It spends 39 pages on the BorgWarner products, 21 on the GM/Muncie gearboxes, and three on the A833. Those three whole pages include several useless pictures of castings, no teardown, and no how-to text. It does have several paragraphs of useless fluff about the A833 history.

For my main purpose, this book is misleading and worthless.

P.S. March, 2010. The latest edition does cover the A833 transmission so those interested in it can now get their information. I've changed the stars for my review of this first edition from 1 to 3 as this current manual appears to be a solidly helpful resource, and its shortfall is now remedied by the newer manual. Given the inexplicable absence of the A833 info in this first manual despite its advertising that that transmission was covered, I can't give a higher rating.

To the chuckleheads who negatively rated my first review, just what kind of approval do you think should be given to a book that advertises on its covers an important section that's missing inside of it? Meanwhile, I have the newer manual for use with my Plymouth.