Ill try to be brief:

I have an 02 Civic 1.7L 5 speed. It's become physically difficult to shift gears. The feel of the clutch pedal hasn't changed (still firm). No grinding when shifting. No delay in disengaging/engaging when pressing/releasing clutch pedal. I noticed it shifts like normal if I shift 1st-3rd, 2nd-4th, 3rd-5th and vice-versa. It's only when I upshift/downshift by a single gear. Not sure what would cause that, but if anyone knows or has a good idea what it could be, it would save me a hell of a lot of time in the cold/snow.

 

Did you install a shifter adapter or short shifter recently? If you did then the could be it. I recently put a shifter adapter on and it feels stiffer. A weighted shift **** could help though.

 

No its the stock shifter and ****. I flushed the trans fluid and refilled it with Penzoil Synchromesh and no change. I'm suspecting the shifter may need fresh lube though or maybe shifter cables? Because it doesn't grind at all so I don't think the syncros are the problem

 

ive heard that using anything besides genuine honda transmission could do harm but i think your symptoms would have gotten worse not stayed the same. I would definitely look at the shiter cables but also look under the hood underneath the intake on the top of your transmission where your cable bushing would go theres another shift cable look for anything off there.