Verdict: Went by the local Honda dealer at lunch, and they let me barrow their senior mechanic for a ride along. So I took him for a drive and he says its definatly comming from the Rear Diff. So Diagnosis is broke a drive tooth(drive gear? not sure of exact term here) off the pinion. Which sounds spot on to me. So I'll give it a drain and fill when I get home, see what all comes out, and try and get a look at the ring and pinion from the drain hole. Hehe, It was funny to see all the mechanics swarm my car, they were taking pictures and everything, haha.

 

 

And thanks for the info blackout, I havent really given the drivetrain much of an examination past the engine/bellhousing yet, so wasnt sure how it was all setup on the S. And a tranny/diff fluid change has been on the to do list for some time now, but it obviously just got moved to the top of the list

 

Interesting.I have this noise in my diff also.My car an 01 is also making a touch more than 300whp.Its been making this noise for as long as i can remember.The car has 35k on the clock now and im considering getting another diff.Please keep us updated!

 

Although I have the 57 gears (which are known to whine more) mine whine exactly how you are saying but they've done it from day 1.

When I had stock gears, they would whine in the same way only it wouldn't be as loud as the 57s do. Last I checked, gear whine (to an extent) is normal for this diff.

 

I appreciate the words of re-assurance, but this is NOT normal, lol. This is more of a womp.womp.womp think the last time you got a flat tire on the interstate.. With the top up, and windows rolled up, If I listen I can hear it over the radio at full volume, and I have 2 zapco competition amps... But If I dont purposely drivein the load area where it makes the noise, it doesnt make a sound, and drives smooth even when its "womping"

My timing in this worked out amazingly well though.. I called my tuner to see about having some other things done while the car was down, and he said he had a new set of extra hardened 4.57 gears made up for an s2000, he was planning to sell them mass production, but hasnt had a car to test them on yet. He said they arrived yesterday He told me the material I'm 99% sure he said 304, maybe 301 stainless, or maybe he said harder than 301 stainless? I dont remeber exactly I was to excited about the next part.. He said he would only charge me $250 (retail would be around $600 he said) and no labor charge if Id be the beta tester.. Shiiiiiit, for sure!! I tell you, lately my lucks been so good If a bird shit on me, it would turn to gold.

My only concern, doesnt the lower gearing pretty much make 1st gear unuseable? It already seems to short.

 

Honestly though.. It seems completely drivable.. Im about to jack it up right now, see what comes out with the diff fluid... if it doesnt look that bad, I may just drive it until I drop it off to get the gears changed, I just love this car!!! Whats the worst that could happen if diff fails completely?

 

You're noise sounds exactly like mine.Its most noticable with the top and windows up.I have changed my diff fluid twice and never saw any debris in the old fluid.I also drove several other s2ks at my work(the dealership)and they were all quieter.Id say its more than likely a ring and pinion issue.

 

Well, drained the Diff, and no chunks of metal whatsoever, it looked perfect. There was a VERY fine coating of metalic dust on the magnetic drain plug(to be expected on the first diff fluid change the car has ever had). I then ran a magnet through the drained fluid again, didn

 

Boostaholic Posted on Apr 4 2007, 06:12 AM
Well.. you could get the rear on jack stands and run the engine in gear.
Maybe remove the wheels to make it easier to listen to wheel bearings, diff bearings, transmission bearings, ect.

Let us know what you find.