To fill up the transmission on SR20DET, just drain the old fluid, then plug up the bottom plug, then unplug the plug on the side of it. Use a pump, and keep pumping until the fluid starts to come out of the side hole. That's all, right?

I know its 2.5 quarts, but this transmission only took 1.5 quarts. What's up with that?

 

was the car level?

 

that way works, but i usually pull the fill plug, and put the fluid in through the shifter.
just easier.

 

Well the car sits at like a 3 degree angle towards the driver side. If it was leveled out, i think it would probably take another 1/2 quart, but not 1 quart.
I guess the best way to find out is to get it leveled out and fill it up again.

 

You're not going to get all of the fluid out unless you physically remove it from the car and stand it up on the output shaft (although putting stuff in the back of my scion recently seems to coax out hidden oil reserves). Some fluid stays in there.... in this case 1 quart. Try leveling the tranny by jacking it up. Also, don't assume that you had 2.5Q in there to begin with.

 

Well its the same as changing motor oil. The amount put in is always more than what is drained. So i guess there's some parts within the tranny that is still holding onto the fluid, kinda like a oil filter.
Ill the guess and check thing, later tonight.