[8695Beaters]

Google "tuning shops." They will link you to separate databases where all sorts of tuner sign up with contact info. Look at one of those and make some calls.

Well it will be kind of hard to tell how good the trans is without driving it. If it's still in the car, you can feel how good the gears engage (if they are super stiff, then it needs a rebuild). I suppose it's always good to check the condition of the case, the mileage (under 100K would be preferred, but you get what you can get), and the condition of the car. If the damage to the car isn't too bad (one smashed fender or something like that), then it's safe to say the rest of the car is in reasonable shape and the drivetrain is still good. If it looks like someone would have died in the accident, then it would be best not to buy from that car (I'm not joking either, you would be surprised what hangs around in salvage yards. When I bought a new 3rd brake light, I pulled it from and Integra with no roof and no recognizable body panels. The car must have rolled at least twice. So the engine and trans and anything else that made the car move was pretty much wasted. But the light was fine so I pulled it). And of course rear-end damage is preferrable to front-end damage.