You guys just need to face the fact that this box is never going to be forgiving as others. The combination of high rpm, the fast shifter, and the design is just prone to grinds on the 1-2 shift. Early boxes ('00 and some '01) were subject to a TSB and fix that helped a little but they still grind at times.. supposedly the later ones are better.

I suggest you do all the things to minimize it.. make sure the clutch pedal is properly adjusted, the clutch fluid changed once a year, be sure you are sitting close enough to fully depress the clutch every time, pay attention to smoothly shift since we know you can't bang this one, change the transmission fluid regularly (I think the GM SMFM is the best yet)... and accept it will grind when the shift is even a little sloppy or the box is overheated.

This is simply a trait of this car and I do not think there is a 'fix' available.

 

I don't agree with that at all.I've driven many of s2000 with no types of grinding problems even when severely heat soaked.If they all did it then i would have to agree with you but thats just not the case here.My grind was completely gone after i performed the the tsb on it.The grind returned after about 3k but no where near as bad as before.The engineers are puzzled by this.I am going to try a few more things on it to see if i can stop this from getting any worse.Also it should be noted that i DO NOT race and beat the crap out of this car (it cost too much) i just drive it like it was indented for.I will try and keep updating on (hopefully) progress.

 

i think the s2k drops out of vtec (6krpm) when shift from 1st to 2nd. if you are shifting too fast you can overwork the synchros. well that's my understanding

 

i do grind 1-2 sometimes when i dont pay attention. i use dot grind when i shift fast at high rpms, but it ws becuse i shifted way to quickly. my legs didnt move the clutch fast enough. make sure your cluctch is all the way in, it helps alot.

 

Well, i tried several different mtf's and by far the gm synchro friction modified is the best!It has been a couple of weeks now and not a single grind!!!It took about 100 miles to work in.I am still trying to get a my 04 box,but in the mean time ill just keep on experimenting with this one.So far so good(knock on wood)!To anyone with this 2nd gear grind i would highly recommend this mtf!!!

 

Joe,

I had probably 500+ grinds from 1st to 2nd with other tranny oils, but I don't think I've had more than 2 in the last 15K miles since I've been using GMSFM. Give it some time before you replace your tranny.

 

Gernby,thanks alot for you're input on this matter!I have been reading many posts on this topic and i've tried many different things.you're posts have helped me the most so to you and s2ki i say THANKYOU!!I am very much a honda loyalist,i am also a tech at a local honda dealer and have been so for 10+ years now.I see many different situations come along with different models,but this particular one is damn annoying!!I think my chances of getting a my04 box are very good,but id like to see what happens with this one.You've ground 2nd 500 times????holy hit!!!!

 

There is a recall on the s2000 trannys about 1st to 2nd look into it

 

i use to get that 1st-2nd grind also until i changed my tranny fluid to using motul 300 gear fluid...its quite $$$ but i never get that grind nomore

 

i somehwat had this problem as well where the grind seems to be UNBELIEVABLY loud and very disturbing but i believe its the shifting. you most likely aren't getting it into the 2nd gear but rather btw the 2nd gear adn 4th gear. if this is occuring when you are shifting fast and gunning the car i am assuming. either pull the stick to your side a bit as you shift down so it gets into the 2nd gear whole/sack whatever teh official name is called or just shift a bit slower. now i got used to how the 1-2nd works on teh s2k i dont/haven't had that problem unless it was a stupid mental error.