Bad transmission, BAD!, Questions about a C52 in a 96 ST Options

[ComaToes]

I have a 96 ST Celica (AT200, 7afe, C52 trans) with just over 81k miles that I have owned for over 10 years. A while back 3rd gear began to grind... as you can imagine 3rd got worse and now it pops out of gear. So, third gear is gone, it's not just the syncro. My questions start with:

How hard is it to pull/rebuild the C52?

Does the C52 come out the top, or the bottom?

IF, even with the low miles, it isn't worth the time/money to rebuild, are there other, better transaxle/transmission options than the C52 that will bolt up to the 7afe and into the ST without modifications?

IF the C52 is the only/best tranny, are there C52's in cars other than the Celica that will bolt up?

Brian

[BonzaiCelica]

Ya I'm having issues and kinda stuck right now on what to do. I just called a transmission shop and they quoted me $550 (this includes me bringing in the transmission in their hands) for replacing bearings, seals and something else. So that does not include replacing syncros which is what I need. When Shifting from 1st to 2nd at 5,000 rpm my gears grind. Also when downshifting into 2nd gear going 40mph even with me rev matching the engine speed to the gear speed it still grinds. And it grinds a little bit when i downshift into 3rd as well when Im going 70 mph on the freeway. I have a friend who can do it for me for maybe $500.

When you bring in a transmission to a shop is it mandatory that they replace seals and bearings and the basic stuff. Or can I just ask them to rebuild my syncros in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear and be done with it?

I was also thinking about doing the rebuild myself with reading a few books from the library and what not online sourcing as well, do you guys think I'm up for it???