I have followed much discussion about the 02 transmission fixing the 1st-2nd grind.

However I remember some speculation that maybe something had been changed to reduce the risk of over-rev due to a "2nd when I meant 4th" shift error. Can anyone confirm that this change has or has not occured?

 

Buy one, and you'll know for sure ...

 

yup i agree

 

Actually I have an 02 coming, but I am currently S2K challenged(AKA enthusiast, wanna-be, poser, etc.)

I was just curious if the question had ever been answered, as it sounds like a pretty expensive mistake to make. I let a friend test drive my MR2-T once and he got 2nd at an alarming speed through the use of brute force/stupidity. It makes me shudder to think about it. No damage though. On the MR2, the syncros are such that you really have to use considerable force to make it happen. Not likely to happen if you are familiar with the car at all.

 

Just don't let anybody and I mean anybody drive your S2K ... That's my working policy anyway. Sorry, can't answer your main question but more than certainly provide some extended highlights.

 

No. This would require a redesign of the transmission. You'll still need to make sure you shift properly. It's only a problem with near redline shifts. You won't blow it up with missed shifts below vtec.

We still don't know for sure what the advertised improvements in the transmission really amount to. I'm betting they are only incorporation of the upgraded parts from service bulletins. It wasn't redesigned.

 

The redesigned parts from the TSB's have had little effect. I'm among many that had TSB replacement parts installed (perhaps badly) only to have the same problems. There is something that feels entirely different about the '02 tranny. It may be a little crunchy at first but it becomes far smoother than any '00-'01 I've ever driven. Those who have tested my new tranny have also noticed the difference. Without changing the clutch parts (already done prior to tranny replacement) the amount of noise both running and on decel has decreased noticeably. I don't know about any redesign but the new assemblies are MUCH better.

 

i for one would never let the dealers touch my car unless it straight up broke down.
it will never be as good as new once they touch it.

 

This is what the senior district service manager told me directly... He specifically said the redesign was not to address any second-gear grind issues.

I speculate, if he is correct, that the pressure of the centering springs has been changed to guide the gearshift somewhat differently.

Of course he was only the district service manager, ultimately responsible for every service manager and technician in a multi-state area.... No chance he could have been wrong

 

I've noticed that the '02 is much easier to shift into first while the car is still moving. With the '00, I almost always double clutch into first. No need for that with the '02.