Hi everyone,

Long time member but I finally recently picked up a s2k with 35k miles. It's just one of those cars I've always wanted just to have and I don't see myself parting with it to be honest.

I became a bit neurotic about 5th gear with this car, perhaps because I did my research here and found out about people having a synchro issue with 5th gear. I just want to say the car is fine, upshifts into 5th and downshifts fine at any RPM. But the problem is I must have done the 4th - 5th gear upshift so many times (I'm talking a few hundred) at higher rpm (5k ish) that I'm wondering if I might have accelerated any wear for the 5th gear synchro. I never shifted hard and I never fast shifted it though, so let's clear that up. Though my shifts were at higher rpm, they were clean and unforceful.

That said, what really messes up the synchro? Is it high rpm shifting, is it hard shifting where someone will slam the gear in, is it fast shifting? Is it skipping gears?

It's perfect now (the 5th gear synchro) so does that mean I didn't accelerate any wear? Guess the reason I'm worried is because I fear replacement parts would be harder to come by as this car ages.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you followed prescribed interval changes with recommended fluid and didn't see a lot of metal in the oil --- you are prolly ok. Think the syncho rings are made of bronze material. So, you'd expect bronze color metal in the oil, if you are wearing out the sychros.

 

Appreciate the feedback. The car is still new-to-me so I don't know how often the tranny fluid was changed. It shifts perfectly though for the record, my only fear is I might have accelerated wear by high rpm shifting 4th into 5th MANY times although I did it with good form (not hard shifting, not fast shifting).

 

High R's shifting is not a problem, as long as you are not grinding the gears. Timing between tranny and engine speed is the key, at any RPM or load.

It maybe a good idea to change the fluid, if you don't have history on when the last fluid change was done. Use good lubricant. Can't go wrong with approved Honda MTF.

 

Skipping gears has been identified by numerous forum members and Honda as a primary cause of premature wear of the synchros. Don't do (it sounds like you don't). Row through all the gears on your way to the desired gear.

 

Thanks guys.

So high RPM shifting into the next gear isn't bad so long as it's done properly. I just got worried I accelerated wear since, like I mentioned, I did it many times on the 4-5 upshift.

 

Actually high rpm (>5K) can be the smoothest way to shift compared to low rpm shifting. Billman has recommended that for a number of folks with shifting issues. It was designed for high rpm.

 

^This...not sure high RPM shifting is an issue as long as you are smooth. Skip shifting can cause issues, so stay away from that.

 

Appreciate the input again guys.

I have another manual car... same thing would apply though correct? That high RPM doesn't matter so long as it's smooth and not too fast?

 

Depends on the car...remember that the S is meant to be driven at high rpms while other cars may not be. As long as shifts are smooth, it shouldn't cause any issues with the gear but keep in mind a non high revving engine doesn't usually like to be pushed to redline often.