I'm really sick of the notchy shifting in my S - I definately wont take it on the track since its so hard to put into gear. This is my 2nd S2000; the first I bought new; some 82 year old dikhead rae ended me on HWY 101 whwn I was stopped. THIS 2003 s2000 has now 30K miles.

The symptoms:
Most noticable when cold.

Attempted resolution:
Changed fluid to MTF.
Changed master & slave cylinder, bled.
Changed clutch ( Tony Fuchs Racing in Socal )

 

Continued -

I installed an AP2 tranny, used by supposedly OK.
Tried GM synchromesh FM, helped somewhat for only a few days.

When I first bought this car it ran OK. I changed tranny fluid right away when I got it. I dont THINK I even pounded on it ( no burnouts etc ) but I mighta missed a couple shifts. I did start it in gear and dropped the clutch one time and it stalled.

I'm realy ready to toss a brand new tranny at it, but welcome any suggestions for further diagnosis or whatever.....

It just takes some time and effort to get it into gear, especially at moderate revs. I notice when sowing at a light it is somewhat better. Seems true generally across all gears. Definately better when hot.

 

AP1 transmissions are notriously notchy when cold. My trans had the same issues has yours, changed the fluid with new honda mtf still notchy when cold. Depending on temps outside will depend on how hard it is to get the gears in(for me that is). Once warm(afew miles) she shifts like butter and no more issues. I have no idea about ap2 trans but its probably the same as ap1 in notchiness.

 

BUt my first S2000 was excellent, this one REALLY sucks. TO get into gear its push & wait essentially. Can't really heel toe because it's too slow - you lose that 1/2 sec or so going into a turn ( may not sound like much, I'm really not being a whiner - the car travels pretty far in that time ).

Is it synchros or perhaps a clutch issue? I'm sure if I went to a dealer and selected a new random S2000 it would shift far easier.

 

MY05 has that same problem. It's been cold in the SFV, about 40 degrees when i started it and i do notice that it is notchy. I always wondered about it myself, but it does smoothen up for me after a couple miles.