M32 Trans Teardown

[Preloader]

Got an "answer" from Warren G on the Vaux forum. He is the resident M32 expert over there, and actually does retrofit upgrades on them.

He said that the 2nd gear grind can be fixed with a new 2nd gear and synch hub......

But he offered no more detail than that. So I'm awaiting a response as to what/where/how I can get the 2nd gear/hub he speaks of.

The good news is the implication that the grind has a solution. We're getting closer.

 

[rcmn0022]

I'm going to be the first one to bet that Preloader will be the first to break the upgraded M32.

I give it a month after the large turbo and upgraded internals are done. If you can make it last for a month, I'll be looking to get the upgraded m32 as well.

Maybe with the new synchro ring and brass tips we can progress farther than the Vaux guys!!

 

[Preloader]

Well farther than the Vaux guys is a tall order. They have broken the 400hp barrier, but then again they have 1.6 and 2.0Ts

Warren seems real stand offish about giving any real details about where to get the parts, so we'll just have to see. One option is to send him an M32, he does the overhaul upgrade for about $400US. But shipping it there an back will add another $800.

But alas, I do believe the M32 can be built to last. Especially if we can conquer the fork tip weakness.

 

[Scot]

I'd like to know which 2.0L bolts up to our M32. I've been chatting with a few folks and they say everything "newer" GM doesn't fit. (i.e. starter mount)

 

[Preloader]

Z20LEH and Z20LET do. Not found stateside though.

Vauxhall Astra VXR have them.

 

[ChrisJ]

Really if you think about it $1200 isn't out of line for a transmission.

 

[Scot]

Z20LEH and Z20LET do. Not found stateside though.

Vauxhall Astra VXR have them.

Yeah - gen 1 ecotec blocks, (I think) which makes me wonder why a L61 or LSJ wouldn't bolt up...

 

[mitdr774]

The L61, LSJ, LNF, ect. are a completely different design. Not sure how they even ended up with the Ecotec name since they started from a completely different line of engines. The LSJ is just a Saab 2.0t with a S/C instead of a turbo as far as I can tell.

 

[River_Rat]

Yeah - gen 1 ecotec blocks, (I think) which makes me wonder why a L61 or LSJ wouldn't bolt up...

I think you are confusing family 1 with gen 1.

The LSJ is a family II, Gen I; the 1.8 is a family 1, Gen III; and the 1.4 is a family 0, Gen III.

 

[cndctrdj]

The L61, LSJ, LNF, ect. are a completely different design. Not sure how they even ended up with the Ecotec name since they started from a completely different line of engines. The LSJ is just a Saab 2.0t with a S/C instead of a turbo as far as I can tell.

From my understanding (take what you want from that sentence) the lsj has more in common with the ls9 than the Saab

 

[Scot]

from my understanding (take what you want from that sentence) the lsj has more in common with the ls9 than the saab

lk9?

 

[cndctrdj]

Sorry was not reading. I was thinking the 1.4

 

[mitdr774]

The 2.0T LK9/Saab B207xx/Vaux,Holden, opel Z20NET and the LSJ are the same engine. The LSJ just uses a M62 instead of a Garret or Mitsubishi turbo.

The LSJ does not have much in common with a push rod V8 (LS9) other than the number of valves and the basic method of pressurizing the manifold.

 

[Preloader]

Hello,

Still no word. I did provide my resource with the link here as well. I will give them to the end of the week before I reach out again.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

Any luck with getting GM's official stance on building a made-to-fail transmission?

 

[mitdr774]

Getting them to admit to letting bean counters dictate build durability will be a hard one. I expect some BS excuse about how it is done to improve shift and long term wear. They still wont admit that the sway bar end link design being used (has to be about a decade of this style being out there) is a poor design and heavily prone to failure.

I really hope GM steps up and admits it was a bad design idea though.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Preloader,

Not yet. Just to keep everyone informed on where I stand in my research, I will let you know my progress. I have reached out to my internal resource with them stating, they are doing further research. Once I have more information, I will let you know.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Colin]

Preloader,

Not yet. Just to keep everyone informed on where I stand in my research, I will let you know my progress. I have reached out to my internal resource with them stating, they are doing further research. Once I have more information, I will let you know.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

Thanks for looking into this and other concerns on the forum. It's nice to know Chevy is willing to reach out to the community and work to resolve problems.

Your work here is appreciated!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hello all,

Thank you Colin for the kind words. Xtremerevolution, once I have more information, I will be sure to post it on CruzeTalk as well.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Preloader]

I can count two people that have traded their Sonics for an import because they couldn't get over the bad transmission. GM better do something fast. Word of mouth could really hurt sales.

 

[mitdr774]

I know a Cruze owner on trans #3 that will be trading his in for an import next year. I have also talked to a few people that went with a Fiesta. One of the main reasons was the complaints about the transmissions. GM has been loosing customers due to this issue.