Notchy 'box on 08 car

barrys289 · 09-13-2008, 11:57 AM

I have a 3 month old S2000GT which is a fantastic motor but only spoiled by notchy upshift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. It doesn't grind but you can just feel the the teeth catching unless you change VERY slowly. This is normally when cold and in slow urban driving. When really warm and the car is driven fairly hard in the upper rev range, the box is fine and a very fast change is easy. I had driven demonstators prior to ordering and I don't recall any having anything but super slick 'boxes. Before I go and whinge at the dealer, can anyone tell me whether this is normal or not on such a new car which should have had all its problems sorted after 8 years of production? Thanks anybody!

J'sS2K · 09-13-2008, 12:03 PM

LOL, shifting below the recommended RPM does that. It sounds normal.

barrys289 · 09-13-2008, 12:17 PM

Thanks J'sS2K. You may well laugh, but having spent most of my time with big torquey V8s (replica Cobras), I'm still getting used to driving such a precise car that revs its nuts off but what a great motor. It is probably about as opposite to a Cobra's 'brute force & ignorance' as it's possible to get. Thanks for the reply

Vezna31 · 09-13-2008, 12:43 PM

All of the shifts are a little notchy with a cold tranny. You might want to try changing the gear oil to Redline MT90. Stuff is fantastic and I take mine to the track a few times a year.

JDMzimbo · 09-13-2008, 12:54 PM

What is the recommend RPM to shift at?

4406pack · 09-13-2008, 12:57 PM

anything before the rev limiter...lol

Vezna31 · 09-13-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDMzimbo

What is the recommend RPM to shift at?

I don't think there is a recommended shift point. That would depend on what mode of driving your in. Gas saving - 3.5k. Race track - 8.5k. Normal driving for me is between 4k - 5k.

Vezna31 · 09-13-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4406pack

anything before the rev limiter...lol

Yeah, that's a better answer.

gomarlins3 · 09-13-2008, 04:13 PM

If I let mine warm up, it is much smoother. If your car was older, I would recommend getting the tranny fluid changed.

Neil · 09-13-2008, 04:26 PM

I feel my gearbox is a little notchy too, but only sometimes. If I change slowly leaving the revs drop there's no problem, If I change at a high rev still no problem. Somewhere in between and only sometimes there feels a little engagement for the first three gears. Don't know if its gonna bed in as I have only 3000 miles on the car.

JDMzimbo · 09-13-2008, 04:34 PM

From first to second seems pretty notchy for me.

J'sS2K · 09-13-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDMzimbo

What is the recommend RPM to shift at?

Check the owner's manual. It has the recommended shift points.

jagg · 09-14-2008, 07:06 AM

Don't let it bother you Barry, as it still needs some time to break in.....You've got plenty of warranty left with which to find out whether or not there's a real problem there. (doesn't sound like there is.....)

Keep us posted, and throw some miles at it before you do anything.

regards,
jagg

H20 · 09-14-2008, 07:43 AM

For what it's worth Barry, You don't KNOW what oil is in the gear box. You can make an assumption based on Honda's attention to detail, and particularly on this car, BUT you don't know. I don't see the harm in changing the gear box oil to be sure.
That being said, I have an 07 with about 3500 miles. I drive it down to about 32 F during the winter. Only on the colder days do I feel what you describe, and only for the first mile or so around town. Other then that she is slick and quick. My only beef is that damn centering spring is too strong in my opinion. I don't do much highway driving and shifting from 5th to 6th requires a serious push to the right to avoid 4th. I don't remember that ever being an issue in my roadsters back in the day, but then I never had a 6 speed geer box either. I suppose it goes with the territory. Also I shortened my throw by countersinking my stock knob and logic dictates that this contributes to the problem.
Damn..I sound like Spock!

PS: What's an S2000 GT? Some euro spec we dont hear about in the states?

jagg · 09-14-2008, 07:46 AM

Damn it Jim,

I'm a doctor, not a race car driver.

jagg

H20 · 09-14-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagg

Damn it Jim,

I'm a doctor, not a race car driver.

jagg

He's got GREEN OIL!

Kalm_Traveler · 09-14-2008, 01:00 PM

You AP2 owners have it easy 'racing'... with an AP1 trans, you must rev 1st gear to 9k or the drop into 2nd gear will take you out of VTEC.

barrys289 · 09-16-2008, 01:02 AM

Thanks Guys, I'll just wait and see if it improves with more miles on the clock (only 1,600 to date). If I continue to grind the teeth off the cogs, they might get quieter with time! Ha Ha. Cheers

Decepticon S2K · 10-16-2008, 01:16 PM

1st to 2nd is notchy in my car too but only in cold weather or in slow urban driving as before stated...other than that...shes FINE!!!...urgh...so fine...man i love this car...lol

toms2000 · 10-16-2008, 01:28 PM

My car is notchy from first to second also but only
when the trans is cold. Once it warms up it shifts smoothly.
7,000 miles and it has always been that way.

mike_s_0802 · 10-16-2008, 08:59 PM

i just had a new tranny put in about 6 months ago and it is notchy also when cold when going from 1st to 2nd

09-13-2008, 11:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
barrys289 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Notchy 'box on 08 car I have a 3 month old S2000GT which is a fantastic motor but only spoiled by notchy upshift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. It doesn't grind but you can just feel the the teeth catching unless you change VERY slowly. This is normally when cold and in slow urban driving. When really warm and the car is driven fairly hard in the upper rev range, the box is fine and a very fast change is easy. I had driven demonstators prior to ordering and I don't recall any having anything but super slick 'boxes. Before I go and whinge at the dealer, can anyone tell me whether this is normal or not on such a new car which should have had all its problems sorted after 8 years of production? Thanks anybody!

09-13-2008, 12:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
J'sS2K The Car Camera Mount Guy Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,586	LOL, shifting below the recommended RPM does that. It sounds normal. __________________ So you're heading to the track and you want to record your sessions. PM me for an in-car camera mount. For everything else, you're on your own! www.getgopod.com

09-13-2008, 12:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
barrys289 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Notchy box Thanks J'sS2K. You may well laugh, but having spent most of my time with big torquey V8s (replica Cobras), I'm still getting used to driving such a precise car that revs its nuts off but what a great motor. It is probably about as opposite to a Cobra's 'brute force & ignorance' as it's possible to get. Thanks for the reply

09-13-2008, 12:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Vezna31 Resident Track Whore :) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 1,616	All of the shifts are a little notchy with a cold tranny. You might want to try changing the gear oil to Redline MT90. Stuff is fantastic and I take mine to the track a few times a year. __________________ Vezna Financial Services - For mortgages, accounting and taxes, and phone service needs. http://www.vezna.com San Diego Car Club - http://www.sdcarclub.com

09-13-2008, 12:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
JDMzimbo s2k4life Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 956	What is the recommend RPM to shift at? __________________ Mods: HKS Highpower Dual Invidia Test Pipe ARC Intake and Induction Box Eibach Springs Momo Shift Knob Rota D2 Wheels Mugen Rep. Bumper More To Come.....

09-13-2008, 12:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
4406pack cone destroyer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: champaign, IL Posts: 550	anything before the rev limiter...lol

09-13-2008, 04:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 4,691	If I let mine warm up, it is much smoother. If your car was older, I would recommend getting the tranny fluid changed. __________________ Yablownowitz Racing brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

09-13-2008, 04:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Neil Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,457	I feel my gearbox is a little notchy too, but only sometimes. If I change slowly leaving the revs drop there's no problem, If I change at a high rev still no problem. Somewhere in between and only sometimes there feels a little engagement for the first three gears. Don't know if its gonna bed in as I have only 3000 miles on the car.

09-13-2008, 04:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
JDMzimbo s2k4life Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 956	From first to second seems pretty notchy for me. __________________ Mods: HKS Highpower Dual Invidia Test Pipe ARC Intake and Induction Box Eibach Springs Momo Shift Knob Rota D2 Wheels Mugen Rep. Bumper More To Come.....

09-14-2008, 07:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
jagg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Endless Mountains Posts: 3,110	Don't let it bother you Barry, as it still needs some time to break in.....You've got plenty of warranty left with which to find out whether or not there's a real problem there. (doesn't sound like there is.....) Keep us posted, and throw some miles at it before you do anything. regards, jagg

09-14-2008, 07:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
H20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT, USA Posts: 754	For what it's worth Barry, You don't KNOW what oil is in the gear box. You can make an assumption based on Honda's attention to detail, and particularly on this car, BUT you don't know. I don't see the harm in changing the gear box oil to be sure. That being said, I have an 07 with about 3500 miles. I drive it down to about 32 F during the winter. Only on the colder days do I feel what you describe, and only for the first mile or so around town. Other then that she is slick and quick. My only beef is that damn centering spring is too strong in my opinion. I don't do much highway driving and shifting from 5th to 6th requires a serious push to the right to avoid 4th. I don't remember that ever being an issue in my roadsters back in the day, but then I never had a 6 speed geer box either. I suppose it goes with the territory. Also I shortened my throw by countersinking my stock knob and logic dictates that this contributes to the problem. Damn..I sound like Spock! PS: What's an S2000 GT? Some euro spec we dont hear about in the states? Last edited by H20; 09-14-2008 at 07:47 AM.

09-14-2008, 07:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
jagg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Endless Mountains Posts: 3,110	Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a race car driver. jagg

09-14-2008, 01:00 PM	#17 (permalink)
Kalm_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA Posts: 337	You AP2 owners have it easy 'racing'... with an AP1 trans, you must rev 1st gear to 9k or the drop into 2nd gear will take you out of VTEC.

09-16-2008, 01:02 AM	#18 (permalink)
barrys289 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Thanks Guys, I'll just wait and see if it improves with more miles on the clock (only 1,600 to date). If I continue to grind the teeth off the cogs, they might get quieter with time! Ha Ha. Cheers

10-16-2008, 01:16 PM	#19 (permalink)
Decepticon S2K Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 43	1st to 2nd is notchy in my car too but only in cold weather or in slow urban driving as before stated...other than that...shes FINE!!!...urgh...so fine...man i love this car...lol __________________ AEM V2 / SPOON TITANIUM SHIFTER / SPOON ENGINE DAMPENER / T1R RESPONSE HEADER / T1R 70R TITANIUM EXHAUST / T1R 70R RACING CONVERTER / T1R V2 STABILIZER / T1R RESEVOIR COVERS / STANCE GR+ COILOVERS / JDM TRUST-GREDDY STRUT BARS / SEIBON MUGEN CARBON HOOD *"DECEPTICON : ENGINEERED TO BE FEARED"*

10-16-2008, 01:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
toms2000 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Providence, NJ Posts: 91	My car is notchy from first to second also but only when the trans is cold. Once it warms up it shifts smoothly. 7,000 miles and it has always been that way. __________________

10-16-2008, 08:59 PM	#21 (permalink)
mike_s_0802 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 198	i just had a new tranny put in about 6 months ago and it is notchy also when cold when going from 1st to 2nd

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