My recently installed 96' typeR DC2 swap has a problem when downshifting into 1&2 gears where I sometimes feel a slight grind like the gears are not braking entirely even when I have the clutch floored for quite a while before making the shift. The motor had obviously been sitting up for a long time and we drained the tranny and a thick, white fluid came out which we weren't sure what it was!LOL! We refilled it with Castrol Edge 10W40 and it has gotten progressively better as I have been driving it but it still grinds slightly sometimes. Is there some fluid mix or additive that you guys think might help free things up in there?

 

GM synchromesh or pennzoil synchromesh will do the job, i think that your problem is due to the transmission sitting for long time, good luck.

 

I have had a lot of swaps that got water inside the transmission. This is usually from the cleaning and pressure washing to shine and degrease the swaps before the sale. If the trans oil looked nasty it may have had some sludge get inside. I would change the fluid several times but if it doesnt clear up plan on breaking it apart for repairs. Nothing feels better than a cherry rebuilt trans that shifts like butter.

 

Thanks both of you because I too feel like it is probably due to sitting up for a while and possibly water contamination because that is exactly what we found in the engine when we had the VC off. I've read some pro and con arguments on synchromesh and some are saying its detrimental to the synchronizers lifespan... your thoughts or experiences?!

 

For a street car or daily driver synchromesh is perfectly fine. For higher power cars or circuit driving there are better options.

For flushing mystery stuff out of it, i would actually use some store brand 5w-30 instead of synchromesh. Realistically, if you have the funds a breakdown of the trans for inspection or repair is best way to ensure longevity.

 

Yeah I don't have the funds and really feel that this an issue of contamination and needs something like stock Honda MTF or some GM synchromesh FM fluid to get things back to normal. I mean it only had 60k on it and everything else with the tranny performs fine. I honestly wasn't sure that the Castrol Edge 10W40 was the right call for a MT.

 

Well actually motor oil has been an acceptable alternative to mtf in honda manual boxes dating back a few decades now. Putting in a fairly costly synthetic would be my last choice to try especially considering there is a good possibility of contamination. I would be putting in store brand dino oil and probably dumping it out 2-3 times and seeing if the issue clears up at all. Then switch to mtf/synchromesh if results are good.

 

Thanks for the tip and will report back the results!

 

Just a follow up that I drained the trans and added the Honda MTF and it works perfectly now! There is definitely something unique about there OEM fluid and I have learned my lesson!

 

The only thing unique about it is that it does a really good job of cleaning. If you are going to do any spirited driving I would change it out to non-syn 10w-30. High mileage is better if you want to spend the extra two dollars.

 

My comment was in reference to using other non-Honda brands in my Odyssey's AT that made it shift rough and especially reverse which made a really hard clunk when engaged. Put the stock Honda fluid in and it worked flawlessly again.