After reading all of the threads about people blowing their engines when accidentally shifting from 3rd redline to 2nd gear, why doesn't Honda incorporate some sort of mechanical device to prevent this from happening?

I was lucky, I missed 4th for the first time a couple of days ago, but I was only at 5500rpm, and didn't break redline. Glad I learned my lesson and saved the engine.

I think more new owners should be warned about the consequences of a 3 - 2 mis-shift before they experience it themselves.

 

The same issue applies to all cars with manual transmissions. It's not unique to the S2K.

 

something that has helped me from mis-shifting is to always let the shifter find its way back to the center without any help from you. THEN shift. For example, going from 5th to 3rd would be the following:
clutch in, move shifter out of 5th to neutral. Slightly lift your hand off the shifter (just enough to let it move on its own) When the knob finds the center, shift straight up into 3rd.

Gringo - how'd you miss 4th? Were you going from 3rd to 4th, or 5th to 4th or 6th to 4th? Regardless, with practice, this method doesn't slow you down at all - it's quite smooth, and smooth is fast.

 

I think it's far less of an issue with the S2000 and it's amazing gearbox compared to say the RSX-S or the Celica GTS. I remember when those came out, guys were grenading the engines on a regular basis with mis-shifts. A combination of many drivers with low experience and an overly tight shift gate pattern. It got so bad, that Toyota started putting warning labels in the cars regarding shifting at high speeds. And they issued a kit for the shifter that actually increased the spacing between the gates.

Overall I'd say the S2000 isn't a big deal.

Where you might run into a problem is with a younger driver, or someone who is new to driving a manual gear box. But at that point, any car is going to be an issue.

 

Hmmm...I wonder if the MY04 is less likely to blow the engine on a mis-shift?

Most failures from a mis-shift are due to the valve being impacted by the piston, either breaking or bending it right?
Well since the redline has been lowered, do you gain more safety from a mis-shift? THe valve springs should still be rated for 9K. You'd have to mis-shift at a higher RPM to cause the same damage, right?

Not that we should test this out but I've always wondered if increased mis-shift resistance could have played into the lowering of the redline...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 80's Boy
I think it's far less of an issur with the S2000 and it's amazing gearbox compared to say the RSX-S or the Celica GTS.

 

They have! It's that little spring device that holds the stick in the 3 - 4 gate. People should really learn why this thing is there and how to use it.
Anything more intrusive than this spring is merely trying to protect the user from his/her own lack of ability and understanding of how a gear shift mechanism is set up.

 

well the best advice then is to take it easy when you are a new driver to the S until you KNOW all the gears. Once you have it down, you will know exactly where 2/3/4/5/6 are without any hesitation, and even what they feel like putting it into that gear.

 

learn to shift using the palm of your hand facing in for 1-2 and palm out for 5-6. it will become rote you will not even have to think it. also let the tension gate springs work in your favor. 1-2 is much stiffer than 5-6.

 

I don't think Honda should be responsible. I think the driver should be and driving schools..