So all,

I just bought my MY02 and had it shipped from Jersey, and I live in Kirkland, Wa. Of course being eager, I had been doing a lot of reading, etc. on this website, and gained a lot of good info first of all, thanks everyone.

One thing I was a bit scared of was the 1st-2nd shift gear grind, and when it happened, I was a bit bummed, to say the least. All of my other gears shift smoothly, even under very spirited driving. To be more specific as well, the 1-2 grinding only happens when I make the shift rather agressively, but at this point I'm sure I do have the clutch completely disengaged. Also noticed it today as I was downshifting from third rather quickly. At this point, it's my opinion that the synchros just aren't working fast enough when shifting into second when I do it quickly.

Since the car was a CPO car, I took it to the dealership and had them look at it, but without surprise, the service manager who drove it was unable to notice the issue or re-create the problem.

From what I've read, I have two possible solutions to try and fix the problem, and I want to make sure there's nothing else reasonably I can do. First, replace the MTF, and second, have the clutch pushrod adjusted to allow less play. Any idea how much play to take out of the pushrod? And finally, any other suggestions?? Again, thanks everyone, all of your input and info has been greatly appreciated!

 

I cannot think of what else to try, other than finding the elixir that works best for you. Try some of gernby's posts on-topic. He has good sense and expresses his opinions clearly. I would try the current Honda MTF (HG with red cap), RL MT series, aqnd some like the GM Syncromesh FM.

The 1-2 shift has been a problem for Honda from Day 1, even at the opress introductions of the first 2000 according to biographer Dan Carney in his book.

A costly option is getting a MY04 tranny. I have had no crunches.

I went with Red Line MT series MTL and MT-90, in equal parts. But either is a good choice.

Certainly wait until the car is properly warmed up (15 minutes or more) before speed shifting. And since your car is "previously owned", you have now ay of knowing what damage may have been done to it. Was the tranny fluid changed often, if ever?

I have found that in some of the older S2000's I have driven, it was very important to fully depress the clutch pedal, and use a smooth, positive pull.

Good luck.

 

I suggest changing the tranny fluid and adjusting your shifting technique.

I had the same problem and I learned that if I pause briefly before pulling the shifter into second, it eliminates any gear grinds. When I shift, I shift from 1st to neutral to 2nd gear instead of from 1st straight to 2nd. It sounds awkward and slow, but with a little practice it can be very quick and natural. The key is to be smoothe and let the shifter "fall" into gear. Don't force it.

Good luck.

 

Maybe I'm just lucky or it's the fact that I'm familiar with shifting a stick, but in nine months of driving my '01, I have yet to experience this "1st/2nd shift grinding."



Gerry

 

yes make sure you warm up the tranny...i get the crunch sometimes but only when its not warmed up...yesterday i drove with it warmed up and i was ripping off 9k shifts from 1-2 no problem...

 

This whole issue is confusing. I had the 1-2 crunch on occassion, i.e. not all the time, not frequently, last season. Since I got my car out of storage about a week ago, I have not had it at all with the transmission cold, and a few times with it warmed up!. Go figure.

 

Yes, it seems strange and intermittent. I had it happen like 3 times in one day, but then it has not happened since, about 1000 miles later. I don't get it.

 

- I get a little grind FEELING from 2nd to 3rd

 

Yeah, it's fairly intermittent with me as well. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. However, it has only happened when the car/transmission is warm. I'm very careful about being easy on the engine and gears while warming up, and I have no problems then.

Of course, knowing that it may happen, I am careful to make the 1-2 shift even when driving assertively a little slower and easier, and when I do, I have no problems at all. The thing I find interesting is this: I've owned a '94 Integra, '94 Probe GT, and a '97 and '02 Maxima, and of course, don't believe these cars are anywhere near as sports car oriented as the S2000. But, when driven hard, all of my other cars could handle me whipping through the gears as fast as I possibly could. Not saying it was common practice, I actually am fairly easy on my cars most all the time, but I would just assume that if a car is designed to go as fast as the S2000 is, it should be designed to shift as fast as possible too.

Another side question: what is powershifting?

 

- shifting without letting off the gas