Can't Get Into 2nd Gear (Just installed Kartboy, MTEC, Motul 300, and Whiteline)

[FearBoy]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

How many miles on the box, how many miles on the fluid, and what trans fluid? I had this issue last winter, but it's colder than it was now than when I was having issues last year...and I'm not having any issues with 2nd gear lockout.

About 3k miles on the car. Kartboy ss, trans insert bushing, and rear shifter bushing installed around 1200 miles. Changed the gear oil to Motul 300 at about 1800 miles. It's improved with the new fluid, but it takes about 5 minutes of driving to get a smooth 2nd gear shift. Especially now that it's 30 degF here in NH.

I don't have MTEC springs installed, but I was looking into doing them after the winter.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by FearBoy

About 3k miles on the car. Kartboy ss, trans insert bushing, and rear shifter bushing installed around 1200 miles. Changed the gear oil to Motul 300 at about 1800 miles. It's improved with the new fluid, but it takes about 5 minutes of driving to get a smooth 2nd gear shift. Especially now that it's 30 degF here in NH.

I don't have MTEC springs installed, but I was looking into doing them after the winter.

I *really* think 2nd gear gets better with time. I'm ~13K on stock fluid and the box too; 2nd gear locks me out in this weather (23 degrees American ) for ONE shift whereas I had to drive a few miles to warm up the box at lower mileage.

That said, my window did freeze and needs to reset later.

[lickitysplit]

Originally Posted by FearBoy

About 3k miles on the car. Kartboy ss, trans insert bushing, and rear shifter bushing installed around 1200 miles. Changed the gear oil to Motul 300 at about 1800 miles. It's improved with the new fluid, but it takes about 5 minutes of driving to get a smooth 2nd gear shift. Especially now that it's 30 degF here in NH.

I don't have MTEC springs installed, but I was looking into doing them after the winter.

My second gear is a little tough to get into when cold even in Texas where it doesn't get nearly that cold. It's just part of the warm up process. Hence why sitting there idling in the cold is not good because the engine will be warm while everything we remains cold. If that's the only problem you are having it sounds like normal operation.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by lickitysplit

My second gear is a little tough to get into when cold even in Texas where it doesn't get nearly that cold. It's just part of the warm up process. Hence why sitting there idling in the cold is not good because the engine will be warm while everything we remains cold. If that's the only problem you are having it sounds like normal operation.

I'm having shifts to second issues, too, here in AZ. Never had an issue with KB SS and front and rear shifter bushings, or even stock with my STI, though.

Wonder why the 86 has the issue in the cold...

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Wonder why the 86 has the issue in the cold...

Because Aisin box. Miata and S2K both have 2nd gear issues and this is the same case although internals are alleged to be ~80% dissimilar.

[lickitysplit]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

I'm having shifts to second issues, too, here in AZ. Never had an issue with KB SS and front and rear shifter bushings, or even stock with my STI, though.

Wonder why the 86 has the issue in the cold...

That's why I hate to call it an issue. It's not a bad thing, nor is anything wrong. Just the nature of the beast. My 2011 wrx wasn't the smoothest even with the same mods. Can't forget this isn't an accord or Camry, it's a sports car

[SirBrass]

Well, I'll call it an issue. It's not a defect, just an issue/characteristic of the box, I suppose. It's still annoying.

Changing gearbox oil to 75W-80 might work, but that just seems to be a bit too thin, seeing as specs are for a GL4 75W-90.

[dave77]

I'm having the same exact issue as OP. I just had installed a KB short shifter with rear bushing, MTEC springs, and Motul 300 oil. I wonder if the MTEC springs dont work well together with the KB ss?

Anyone know how/if OP eventually solved this issue? I'll try to pm him too.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

I'm having shifts to second issues, too, here in AZ. Never had an issue with KB SS and front and rear shifter bushings, or even stock with my STI, though.

Wonder why the 86 has the issue in the cold...

I'm no longer having any issues. I have kb short shifter & rear bushing installed, along with kb trans mount bushing, mtec springs, beatrush delrin knob, & 2.2L of motul gear 300 (SAE 75W-90). been running the oil for about 400 miles now, the short shifter for about 8500 miles, and the other stuff fir about 3000 miles. I haven't had an overly difficult shift to 2nd since I installed the springs & rear bushing almost 2 months ago.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by dave77

Anyone know how/if OP eventually solved this issue? I'll try to pm him too.

I responded to your message before I realized you'd posted here. For everyone else, here's what I said:

I just learned to catch second gear. But I recently realized I never reinstalled the reverse lockout, so that is definitely the problem. I thought the little black plate was the reverse lockout, but it isn't. I believe it's silver. I put all of my parts in storage when I take them off my car, and I've just been too lazy to go and find it. But I'm pretty sure that's the problem. If you installed your reverse lockout and it's still doing it, then I have no idea.

[dave77]

Hmm, this is an annoying problem. THanks for replying Anthony.

[Anthony]

Is your reverse lockout installed correctly?

[dave77]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Is your reverse lockout installed correctly?

I'm not sure. I had a shop install it.

[Malt]

Originally Posted by dave77

I'm not sure. I had a shop install it.

Its not that hard to tell if it is or isn't. Can you shift into reverse without pulling the lockout up?

I've been running a kartboy shifter, MTEC springs, rear bushing, 1 piece driveshaft, and trans bushing for 4000 miles with absolutely zero issues. If you're having a problem getting into second its most likely due to an improperly installed shifter.