From my understanding, the entire reason we have synchros is to ease the shifting process and compensate for the difference between mechanical parts rotating at different speed. Please correct me if I'm wrong?

If I'm correct then why are we justifying faulty technology (synchros not doing their job)? Just because we understand what's going on that causes a problem does not eliminate the problem or justify it.

I'm not trying to start a war but it gets really frustating at times when you have a problem and you post it here but all you're told is that it's the owner's fault and the car is just perfect cause its a Honda. I can understand that for some who drive the car on the track most of the time these problems are no big deal, first because they probably don't have to shift into first that much, and second, the car's awsome handling on the track pretty much makes them forget about it. For those like me who drive this car on a daily basis on streets only this is a real nuisance that I get honked at red lights because in order to shift into first 1st from neutral I have to do a few tricks first.

BTW, even the tricks are not working anymore. XV: from what I understand, the effect of shifting into 4th before 1st is the same as pushing the clutch in and waiting a few seconds before shifting? Is that right? I will try the fourth gear trick as well. I'm also hoping a tranny oil change will help the matter but I'm really disappointed that at 28,000 miles of abuse free driving I'm having to worry about these issues.

IMHO, if the rumors about the S2200 having a lower redline are true then chances are they did that to fix these tranny problems.

 

I am upset...That is like asking how well a porn star screws!!!


The S2000 is to shifting as a porn star is to sex

 

This is correct.
As I stated, there are those (few as they may be) who genuinely have tranny issues.
On the matter of grinding, yes, you will find that a tranny fluid change and a clutch fluid change will possibly resolve some things for you but this is not a guaranty.
Another Calgary owner has just come back from a tranny "fix" - 1st and 2nd gear sets. I will not spoil his thunder as he will be posting his findings in the days to come. But your "worries" are reminiscent of his. When he finally posts, I think you will find it very enlightening and surprising at what he will say. It may be completely different from what you think.

 

The truth hurts sometimes.

 

Did clutch fluid change fix his problem? I'll wait for that post, please direct me to it when he posts in case I miss it.

I've already changed the clutch fluid and it made no difference. I'm also going to try adjusting the clutch pedal before tranny oil change.

Thanks!

 

In case I forget, look for a new thread by "Former..."

 

mas, here:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...145#post1981145
I'm sure this is only his first installment so please subscribe to that thread when "former" gives updates.

 

Thanks XV!

Man! It seems like I'm reading my own words there. Funny how Former* also mentions:

"02's and 03's still have problems, guess that is why they said to hell with it and changed the gear ratios for 04'"

It certianly seems that there are a lot more people with these problems than I had thought.

 

Mas, I understand where you are comming from. Like xviper said, I am one of those obsessive/complusive types about my car However, I know that I had and maybe still have a 2nd gear problem. The grinds only occured in a specific situation of stop and go driving or after the tranny had heated up with sustained driving. You will find others on here with grinding in these scenarios.

Stacking tolerance of the 2nd gear synchros is probably the cause. When the tranny is hot, the tolerance might be a bit off but enough to cause the grind. For those that have research this problem, they point to this. My transmission tear down supported this also since there was no signs of synchro wear or anthing else. However, you can't measure stacking tolerance, everything may be in spec at room temp but at 220F it is a different story.

The reason why 2nd seems to give the most problems is because the ratio gap between 1st and 2nd is the largest among all gears so it compounds the tolerance flaw. When it is hot then, just give 2nd gear a bit more time, and manually pause before the normal first synchro engagement(resistance point) when shifting into 2nd. If you hit this point normally with the same force you do when the tranny is cooler it "might" blow by and cause early engagement and hence the grind. Also, when tranny is heated, the tranny fluid doesn't have the cushion properties it does under cooler temps. All these factors works against you and all you can do when the tranny goes into this redzone is manually pause a bit before the resistance point.

Change of tranny fluid, clutch fluid, free play clutch adjustment, moving the seat up a notch, holding the shifter with more leftward pressure, and manually pausing just before the normal resistance point are the only things you can do. Beyond that a mechanical fix is required.

A Mechanical fix might have some drawbacks as well so weigh your situation carefully before proceeding.

Finally though, for most users, the S2000's tranny is the best one out there short of a Ferrari paddle shifter, but there are some users with issues so don't tell them they are clowns because they were the unlucky ones to have a slight off in tolerance.

 

Even though mine(and others) shifts like a dream. don't take our word for it. Read every magazine out there. They may differ in a few areas, but the one thing they all say is that the transmission is one of the best.(Car and Driver rated it 10 out of 10.)