I think the tranny in my tib is going out, It grinds reverse alot and some times tring to down shift into first. Is there a more durable transmission I could swap in?

 

Uhhh dude there was a post around here about a motorsports-oriented gearset a while back, and the cost of it all was about 3K without bearings and rebuild labour costs. Do a search and you'll be able to find it. A complete transmission from Quaife runs about 30K if I remember it right, which is unlikely cuz I got a memore like a seive. Search fo this one also, it's around here somewhere.

 

I hate to be the one to tell you, but both problems you are having are fairly common.

problem going into reverse:
Always go from 1st to reverse. Don't ask me why, but this always seems to make it easier. Also, if the shifter won't go into reverse, DON'T FORCE IT and grind. Lift up off the clutch about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way. That should get the gears slightly moving, and allow you to get into reverse without grinding.

problem going into 1st
Don't try to down shift into 1st unless you are travling less that 5mph. It just doesn't like to get into first at any higher speed. You can also try the above trick of letting the clutch out about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way to allow the gears/syncro's to mesh.

You can also take your tranny to the dealer, and possibly have the shift linkage looked at/adjusted, but I'm guessing with a 98, you're out of warranty, so that's not really an option unless you've got cash falling out of your pockets.

No, there really are no *affordable* transmission replacments out there. Most *race* sets are at least $3000, and that is just for the gears and syncro's, that does not include the labor of installing them.