I recently found out the AP2 has carbon synchros vs the AP1 brass.

is this a potential upgrade for AP1’s or are they not compatible?

https://speedzone-web.com/products/s...IaAkKyEALw_wcB

 

I am not sure there is really enough (or any) benefit really to warrant it. Parts are also discontinued and hard to find all of them. I had heard some talk about the carbon cracking and flaking under heavy use too. I would search around to confirm that though as I am not sure how many have seen that occur. But, like I said, you have to really shop around to find the parts in stock, and there are some of the parts you cannot find at all (gears, for example other than I think 5th and 6th). Getting hard to rebuild these and expensive. If yours does not have issues I would not recommend doing anything to it honestly.

 

only issue I have is the grinding during track days. It isn’t a problem during street driving, just the high revvivg, 4-5, and 5-6 shifts

 

yeah your synchros might be going. . Most people I know wear out the 3/4 syncrho sets mainly as those get hammered on a lot more on track than the others since you spend a lot of time between those gears. I shift near redline on track so 5th + gets used a lot less than the lower gears. But tons of shifting back and forth between 3 and 4. That is what is worn on my other tranny. I ended up finding a used transmission from A Solutions and will tear down the other one before I decide what to do with it.

 

If you haven't tried it already, pick up some Ford xt-m5-qs at the dealer or online. My ap1 trans had some occasional grinds on oem fluid and amsoil trans fluid when it got hot. I've had noticeably less grinding with the ford stuff. It holds up to heat really well.
Might catch some crap for this, but I prefer the brass synchros vs ap2 carbon for the track. I like the slight notchy feel of engagement vs carbon smoothness. Now I love the ap2 trans on the street..

 

That's interesting. I used the Ford Unicorn Tears stuff (xt-m5-qs) for a change this year in my AP2. It seemed pretty notchy, especially when cold. On track it was popping out of 3rd some and not wanting to go in at high RPMs under load in turns. I bought a used transmission and was about to put it in. My buddy recommended that I rebuild the shifter. I rebuilt the shifter and put in half Honda, half Torco RTF fluid just because it's what I had. After 3 more track days, no more 3rd gear pop outs even on the same track and spots they were happening before. Less notchy than the Ford stuff too. Next change will be straight Torco, which I was recommended by a Honda track buddy. I'm not saying don't try the Ford stuff but I don't think my transmission liked it.

 

I'm running a full quarter of Amsoil MTF and the remainder volume Honda MTF. That coupled with the short shift at 75mph on an AP2 trans, diff, f22c and stock gears seems to be working for me so far.

Regarding shifter feel, I like a notchy shifter. I actually went from OEM shift knob to Modiction weighted shift knob to the lightest weight Tomei duracon shift knob that I could find. I want to feel everything in my hand, and didn't like the weighted shift knobs numbing everything out.

 

My take, is that if you have grinding, even if you find some oil that seems to make it better, it will come back and get worse. If the synchros are not doing their job, they are worn and it is just a temporary bandaid. Unfortunately, the fact you have to short shift to avoid the grinds (Assuming you have no hydraulic issues) is the writing on the wall. It will get worse and will need to be addressed.

 

Yup. Not disagreeing with you. It's just a matter of time. It has slowly gotten worse over the last 3 yrs - i'm just happy that it has lasted this long.

 

This 100%. My band-aid has helped keep the original trans alive but it is getting worse and worse. I'm getting my moneys worth out of that ap1 trans.

@Jub I need to try that Torco RTF, sounds promising. Maybe the ap2 carbon synchros don't mix well with the ford sutff?