Hello Honda-Tech,

My car is a 91 CRX Si with a d16 turbo mini-me setup. I had a few questions. I was first wondering about my transmission? Lately it has been kinda been making a grind/pop type noise going from 2nd to 3rd and. Also it makes a type of whine under acceleration past 3k rpms... To me I am thinking my trans is bad (gears and syncros are bad or shot) but I also want to check/change my trans fluid. What do you all think about this? Also I was looking at trans fluid or oil for us manual guys. I heard good things about GM Syncromesh. But also OEM Honda MTF. If I could get some advice/opinions about this that would be great. Thank you all. Cheers

 

anybody?

 

i would go with the honda fluid, because they wouldnt make it if it sucked of was bad for your trans, as far is the whine noise, i wouldnt stress it unless you startto notice problems with it..

 

Honda Tranny oil FTW.... Although any oil will work even regular motor oil. make sure the oil is at the right level and go at the back starter bolt from under the car its easier from there.

 

redline ftw...

 

thanks fellas, uhhh soo 2-1 honda i have heard good things about redline too...

 

redline is good too its really 6 in one half dozen in the other

 

why would my trans be leaking slowly when parked? seals?

 

Axles may be out just a little? or seals or check your drain plug? Worst case senerio cracked case... But i doubt that because you said a slight leak...

 

ahhh kk if the axle is out a little, just take the wheel off and etc.. tap it back in with a hammer?? yeah slight, I guess I mean a few drips here and there when parked... still does make the whine noise though. plan on draining and changing the fluid.

 

how or what would cause the case to crack?

 

Too much oil causing too much pressure inside the tranny... I've only seen it happen once. Does it shift smooth and clutch fine?

 

Oh yeah do that with the hammer... That's probably your problem

 

if it was the axle was out a little I would feel it wouldn't i while driving? I have a stiff comp stg 4 in there and it def grabs but it doesn't really shift smooth, if I could explain it in the best way it is 'notchy' and grinds sometimes and a lot of the times I find myself going 3rd to reverse, otherwise reverse will just grind if I try to put it in that gear.

 

Anyone have any good places I could source a solid d16 trans?

 

I have a buddy who gas a sohc Vtec built making about 300+ if is running a dx tranny says the long hears help with boost maybe try that

 

I have an 89 Si trans. Where are you located?

 

I also have an 89 si tranny

 

If its making a noise its probably low on fluid or you've got a bearing going/gone bad. I would use Honda MTF with 25-50% Synchromesh. Most parts houses carry it, like as a Pennzoil product. You can run 10W 40 motor oil, but Honda MTF with some synchronesh is best, from my experience.

To me, it sounds like its time for either a rebuild or another trans.

 

Traction being equal, an Si geared car will be faster, turbo or not. He's probably just not able to put Dianne the power as easily with shorter gears. You don't see the big guys going with DX trannies lol.

 

Thank you all for your responses. I will look into that. I am located in MD. Will be changing the fluid today... Is it possible I have a bad seal down there causing the leak?

 

Trans fluid changed with new fresh Honda MTF. Shifting like butter now. What d-series trans has the longest/strongest gears?

 

Honda MTF, Period. Heck, half the guys I race against in Hondas still use Honda MTF and have never had problems after 5+ seasons.

As for those who said Redline... Careful, Redline has stated that their MTL is NOT-INTENDED for Honda boxes, only their MT-90 is compatible. I don't like Redline products in my transmission, street car or race car so I won't recommend it.

 

So I was reading and supposedly there is a new honda Mtf thats thinner. That is okay to use correct?

 

I wanna do a build. What did you do in your mini me swap ? How much power are you geeting ?