I just bought a 2000 S2K with 58k miles on it and I noticed when the weather turns anyhting but hot the transmission is all but impossible to get into the first 3 gears. The smoothness improves with the outside temperature rising and also after driving for more than 20 minutes, but not to the level it should. I have had several manual cars before this and I know they always shift with more difficulty when cold, but it is really bad in the S2000. I was wondering if any of you had the same problem, and if there's a solution, such as changing to MTF. When I test drove a new s2000 the wonderful shifter action was a big positive, but on this car that's only 3 years old the shifter has become much more difficult in all conditions. Please help me out.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

people have been trying GM Synchromesh MTF and it seems to help.

 

You are in a warmer climate so the same may not be true for you, but I had synchromesh in for a while in the fall (temps in the 50's) and hated it. When I went back to the Honda MTF I noticed improvement but it always seems smoother when things warm up (tranny and outside temp).

It might be worthwhile and inexpensive to get some Honda MTF and give it a try.

 

You said, "changing to MTF". How do you know what's in it now? And with 58K miles on it, do you have service records to show when (or if) the tranny fluid was changed? It is entirely possible that it has never been changed. This is a high performance car with a high performance tranny. I plan to change the tranny fluid AND diff fluid every year even thought the manual says that's not necessary. I think you should take ninegrand's suggestion and change that fluid out ASAP. Your problems may simply disappear. You might consider doing the diff fluid too. I'll bet if it has never been changed, it'll be like crude oil out of the ground by now.
To help you along, here's how you can do these yourself:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=83577
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=99995

Also, since it's a MY'00, you should check to see if the coolant has been changed and the brake fluid. In fact, you should check your maintenance schedule and do whatever needs doing up to this point in the car's life if you cannot get proof that it has been done.

 

I used Redline in the tranny and diff. Since I just got my clutch replaced the gearbox is smooth as silk. Even when I start the car on cold mornings the gearbox is as smooth as it is when the car has been on the track for 20+ minutes. I have no difficulty in shifting to any gear. Also notice that the weird shifting feel that I've experience when shifting to third is completely gone. You know that feeling of hitting a bar or something as you shift from 2nd to 3rd. Well that is completely gone. Good luck!

 

Thanks a ton for the info everyone! X-Viper, I mean to say change 'THE' MTF not change 'TO' mtf, typo. Ok back to my midterm

 

and on the that one I meant to say "meant" not "mean". Damn I gotta lay off the crack!