^ gross

 

Tyler, that might be the case but EVERYTHING I've read from low mileage to high mileage says it's just the characteristic of the direct transmission and nothing can be really done to it to help when cold. Seriously, after the first 2 or three sets of going through the gears...they feel great...by the time I reach my destination...I usually wish it was further.

 

Yes I'm sure. I've used Honda MTF, GM Synchromesh FM and non-FM, and AMSOIL MTF and the Honda MTF is the best. Haven't tried Redline so I can't comment on that but people like it. I tried all these in an effort to solve notchy shifting issue, but the only solution is to shift at 3.5k rpms or higher. Then it's like butter.

Greasing the shifter has no effect on notchy shifting. That's bad information perpetuated on s2ki.

 

it might be different for other car but it has been proven many many times on the forum that Honda MTF is the best for S2000. So that is what i used.

I used Mobile 1 for Diff oil if i remember correctly.

 

all the fluids!

im getting all hot and bothered reading all this.

 

The 1st to 2nd gear shift when cold makes a very strong 'clank' sound. I'm going to switch to GM fluid ASAP.

 

ditto.. I have a clank.. not terrible. but noticeable.

also, does anyone else have a small clank when going from neutral to 1st from a stop, even if I leave the clutch engaged, putting in first has a distinct "bonk"

 

Sometimes. Not sure if it's synchros or what. The transmission is quite smooth when warmed up. I wish it was a smooth as our CR-Z was.

 

+1 on the 2nd gear clank.

+1 on the N > 1st clank - I do not hear it if I engage 1st slowly.

 

I'm changing it out on Sunday, I'll give you impressions before and after.

 

I might try the Honda MTF next go then...but that'll be in a long time. I'm perfectly happy with my GM synchromesh Fm for now.

 

From what I've read the clunk from N to 1st is normal

 

it's that "confidence inspiring" clunk.
race heritage, baby!

 

Interesting. There's a huge transmission fluid thread on ft86club. Gearboxes are different, but a lot of guys run Pentosin MTF2, myself included. Stock fluid makes 2nd gear crunchy, especially when cold. Ran good when fully warmed up. Pentosin makes it much smoother even in the cold, and people have run it on the track without issue.

Again, different boxes. But supposedly the S2000 gearbox is similar to the Aisin unit in the FR-S. Might be worth looking into.

 

good deal

yea, it never sounded like a "bad" clunk if that makes any sense..

its so consistent as if its like a bolt action rifle... but I've never had a M/T car do it before, so I had to ask.

 

Haha... the twins have a clunk when going from N to 1st as well. Shifting at 3.5k RPMs or higher makes things a lot smoother too.

 

Soo...who's gonna try the Pentosin in the S first?

 

somebody buy me a fluid changeover, i'll try it out.

 

It is the nature of the beast! I love the fact that you can actually feel everything.

 

^^^Yeah, I knew what he meant when he posted "not a bad crunch"...like, doesn't feel like when you miss a gear...just the fact that you feel the metal on metal makes you feel like you're grinding it down to nothing.

 

what RPM are you shifting at?

 

3000 to 4000. The engine is still cold, sometimes it's less and still does it.

 

Yeah, I actually noticed that it does it no matter what when cold.

 

Damn. Shifting higher worked for me. Try the synchromesh fm and see if it works for you then. I think it will

 

Should note, be wary of trying an unproven fluid. I knew that BMW guys loved MTF2, but made sure I did my research before putting it in my BRZ.

Just because it shifts smoother doesn't mean it's providing better protection.

 

^ This.

Any fluid experts want to chime in?

 

I will note that after using the GM synchromesh for a while, when I replaced it with MTF the notchiness felt WORSE than before. So Costco has a point and that's something to think about.

Ken, is it notchy if you double-clutch? That's been another solution for me

 

Tommy, out of curiosity, how did you determine that the Honda MTF was better than the GM stuff if notchiness got worse when you swapped to it?

Not trying to be a dick, just curious why you attributed it to the GM stuff rather than the new stuff you put in.

 

It went like this:

Bought car which has Honda MTF in it (I have maintenance records), shifting is a little notchy

Change fluid to AMSOIL MTF, no change - shifting is still a little notchy

Change fluid to Gm Synchromesh non-FM, no change - shifting is still a little notchy

Change fluid to GM Synchromesh FM, cold shifting is a little better, hot shifting is not as good. after 4000 miles notchiness gets worse

Change fluid to Honda MTF, warm and hot shifting is a lot better but cold shifting is worse than before the Synchromesh FM

 

One thing worth looking into is the shifter bushings and transmission mount. With the twins, people have noticed a positive change when changing/modifying them - again, myself included.

Just be careful, these sort of things may result in increased NVH. So if possible, stick with rubber mounts. For example, there are JDM (mad tyte, yo) STI mounts available for the BRZ. Higher durometer rubber with less gaps, but still quiet.

 

How about those diff collars? Any change?

Tommy, thanks for taking the time. Was really just picking you brain...I understand your train of thought.

 

Stock



With Whiteline insert (yellow part). People have noticed gear whine noise/increased vibration.



STI mount



OEM rear shifter bushing vs. Perrin

 

 

I do both of these. Honda MTF seems to work best for smooth shifts, and I like the Mobil 1 diff oil. Had the diff oil checked last service (was new last year) and still clean.

I have a very minor clunk from 1 to 2 when transmission is cold, goes away when warm. Normal for this car. I don't worry about it in the least. 1 to 2 is the only shift that is not the most perfect smoothness, and that not consistently.

 

That's what I read too.

 

Done working on cars today, lol - so pissed.

Get under the car, everything goes smoothly until I get to the bottom of my first quart - fluid pump breaks a seal and won't hold pressure. Nearest Autoparts store is 20 minutes away, pickup another one ... breaks on the second quart I managed to get 2 quarts in there and rowed through all the gears, car shifts smoother - I'll post up my thoughts in the next 1000 miles or so.

Now, here's where I almost lost it.

6ft 2x4 was leaning on the garage wall, gust of wind came in and blew it right onto my rear quarter panel while I was gone.



Paintless dent removal quote coming soon.

 

Ouch, sorry to hear, Tyler...that happened to me once with a fucking mop handle on my TL. I was furious.

I have that same Perrin stubby antenna...the other day I noticed the HD radio channels seemed spotty so I tried the oem one again, holy shit is the reception so much better with the OEM. Have you noticed that?

 

I noticed a little bit of a difference in FM with my Perrin shorty, but I listen to mostly AM and Sirius/BT/USB. I'm still able to pick up HD radio on the AM channels without a problem.

But yeah, there is a difference for sure. Not quite as powerful as the OEM antenna, but it looks better.

 

but I think you actually got the bigger of the 2...we have the stubby little tiny one!

 

Yeah I have the 4", you have the 2".