...1st gear grind associated with synchros? That sounds bad...these trannies all have the occasional 4th gear problems but I haven't heard too much about 1st gear grinding. Could this be associated with hard launches? Perhpas. I would be WARY. Find out who did his JDM install and get the info on that. (receipts, leakdown tests, shop info, etc) Looks like he rear ended somebody as well...I don't like the way his hood lines up or the fact the bumper color doesn't match well on a small photo either. $8000 is pushing the upper limits for something you are going to have to dump some money in. (ie: tranny)