Transmission just doesn't feel right (since day 1 bought with 83 miles)

[GhostShield]

What's up guys. Well as the title states I just haven't been happy with the trans since day 1. MT trans. Bought the car in 11/13, 13 model year.
First and second gear are crunchy, jar of marbles Forsure! Just cruisin threw the city granny shiftin 1st-2nd-3rd up it clunks and sometimes grind/crunch sounds. First gear from a stop will argue a little when trying to put it in gear. Not just an easy push into gear. The trans def feels better when it's nice and hot after a drive on the freeway.

I've installed a whiteline positive shift bushing and Perrin rear shift bushing. First and foremost do you think a dealership will bitch about these?
Secondly I flushed the trans at 1500miles and then again yesterday at 4050miles with motul. Both time the old oil had a lot of shimmer in it. If I swirled the oil with my finger it looked like a twister.

One of the bushings has also either enabled me to hear a rattle in the trans or has caused a rattle. Not a whine or anything like that. I know gear whine.
(Drive a sprint car then let's talk about gear whine haha)

Please gimme your .2cents dudes.

Torn about taking her into a dealer. I do a lot of work for car dealers and I hate most of then. It amazes me they stay open haha

[GhostShield]

I drive the car, I don't smash on it and do stupid shit, but I drive it. I drive the mulhuland canyons, blip down shifts, rev up a bit.
I've never ran the car to redline and help it, I don't even think I've hit redline.
Never been WOT. Drifted a bunch tho. My shop complex is getting pretty marked up haha between me and my coworkers rx7.
I guess the best way to put it is I drive intermediate/hard when "driving", around town/highway I just cruise. Normally around the speed limit.

[GhostShield]

PS yes I've searched and searched. Just asking your opinions. I've lurked on the forum since day 1. I knew I'd own this car from the first time I saw the commercials on TV back in 2012.

[GhostShield]

Or when ever the fuck it came out haha years are just cruisin by anymore

[humfrz]

Well, GhostShield, it doesn't sound like your transmission acts like mine ....

I've never done anything (mods or fluid change) to it and I don't drive it hard.

How many miles on your car .. ??

Do you reckon your clutch is adjusted proper .. ??

Have you driven other FR-S MTs for a comparison .. ??


humfrz

[GhostShield]

It's at 4050ish miles.
Yes test drove a new frs 2 months ago. Car was cold cuz I started it, moved off the dealers line and drove around the block. Trans felt ok, not buttery smooth but ok.
Then I test drove an frs in sep of last year and don't remember how it felt haha
I've driven a lot of new manual cars at work and they don't feel like this. Most the German cars are really smooth.
After reading so much about our trans and what I have I'm wondering if the trans is just a POS.

[humfrz]

hmmm..........

Which motul product are you using in your car's transmission .. ??

Does it meet the API GL-3 and SAE 75W-90 specifications .. ??

Your clutch is good and properly adjusted .. ??


Sounds like a lot of questions ..... just tryen to hep ya get it sorted out ....



humfrz

[radroach]

I've heard the rear shifter bushing actually makes shifting harder.

All these points I have, but I've come to live with the notchety gearbox. I'm still on stock gearbox oil at 30k miles. 3rd gear used to give me problems, though not anymore, may have been a syncro/clutch issue because of something I wasn't doing properly, because I don't have many gearbox issues after a year or so (except for a noisy clutch bearing). I think due to my shifting becoming better over time, I've gotten over these issues for the most part with better driving technique.

Though its crucial that you also let the gearbox warm up before driving it - my trans and clutch won't tolerate cold temperatures at all unless I've warmed it up 10 minutes. The gearbox acts so well when it's warmed up, but it can be agonizing to drive when it's balls cold. My car will barely let me drive down the road if i haven't warmed it up, sometimes have to take a drive around the block in order to safely get my car up to temperature before joining regular traffic. Otherwise I might have issues getting into 2nd gear, grind a gear getting stuck or just plain not getting into gear and having to clutch in going around a corner, all embarrassing situations!

You'll definitely hear the gearbox at low speeds, especially if you shift into 3rd below 20mph.

[GhostShield]

Motul gear 30 75-90 yes sir.

Haven't touched the clutch. But I don't think it's a clutch ingadgement thing. Idk Forsure.

I appreciate it man! Open to anything

[husker741]

Look into MTEC springs. I haven't installed them yet, but I'm told they help A LOT.

[GhostShield]

Rad roach. It's good to hear some one else has logged a lot of miles on a crunchy box and it hasn't shit out the bottom of the car.
The bushings seriously made it feel almost like a short shifter. I think they helped a lot. I can live with the added gear noise because racecar.
I just don't want the tranny to shit out after I slap a blower on her then I gotta buy a new one myself cause the warrenties void.

[GhostShield]

Originally Posted by husker741

Look into MTEC springs. I haven't installed them yet, but I'm told they help A LOT.

I will. I've seen um. Haven't read into it though. Thanks

[shattered_memory]

I had grind/crunching feel in my 4th gear. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the whole transmission. Shifting is much smoother. It feels like a different transmission all together. Not sure if Subaru updated the synchros on 2014 transmissions, but it is night and day compared to my original tranny. You may want to go to the dealer and see if they can replicate any grinds.

[shattered_memory]

Besides the 4th gear grind. Most if not all my gears felt crunchy on my original tranny. I've driven less than 100 miles on this new tranny and it feels a lot smoother. Only time will tell if the crunchy feel comes back.