clutch or gear?

[Roma Fresco]

from second to third at lower rpm's my gear grinds... but higher rpms is smooths as butter. (shhhh im new to manuls, give me a break if im dumb)

is this user error, gears issues, or potential clutch failure?:think:

[repiv]

First, it would help to tell us the year and mileage on your S as some of the earlier editions had some minor transmissions issues.
We all had to learn at one point or another, so I don't think anyone should be making fun of you based on your level of experience. There will always be a learning curve in any new thing you do. Shifting a manual car is not always intuitive. It is something that must be perfected with time and practice, assisted by some advice both verbally and by direct contact.
Because you are new to manuals, we should at least have some idea of what it is you mean by "grind". An actual gear grind is unmistakable and will curl the little hairs on the back of your neck. It's like taking a hand saw and drawing the teeth across a sharp metal edge at 90 degrees. Imagine pulling saw teeth across the smooth back of another saw. THAT'S a grind. Are you doing this?
Most people, even seasoned manual drivers will witness a "notchiness" or a slight "crunch" when shifting this tranny, particularly when the tranny is still cold. This is not unusual and isn't really all that harmful. As you get more experience and coordinate your clutch, throttle, shift lever action into a syncronized procedure, shifts will become much smoother.
Additionally, there are things you can do to help you shift better. If you purchased a used car, consider changing the fluids - clutch fluid, tranny fluid, rear diff fluid. All of these things will assist you in getting smoother at shifting. Another thing that has helped some people is to move your seat forward one or two clicks. This will better ensure that your clutch can be pushed right to the floor each and every time you shift. A clutch that is not completely disengaged at the moment the tranny is pushed into the next gear, will always seem imprecise. Changing the clutch fluid will also help to fully disengage the clutch.
If, after all of this, you still think you have a problem, meet up with some of the local S2000 owners in your area. Ask one of the more experienced ones to take your car for a short, normal drive. You'll know pretty quickly if your car has a mechanical issue or if it's just you getting past the initial learning phase of driving stick.

[[gTr]]

I have the same problem and after trying out few techniques I have come to the conclusion that for 2 to 3 change woodworks technique works best i.e ease the lever into gear. In my car if I try to slam the gear from 2 to 3 it always gives that hitting a metal tooth feeling but if you ease it in it produces a joyous shift, and by the way with practice easing into a gear takes no additional time.

[Len44]

I have read that it is far, far better to place the shift lever in the appropriate gear, rather than "slam" it into the next gear or mistakenly try to "speed shift.":nervous:

Surprisingly, this hardly take more time. Unsurprisingly, this is far smoother an your car's transmission will be much, mush happier. So will you in the long run.:)

[Len44]

Also, you might want to read through the thread on "Rough Shifting." Lots of very good insight there, as well.

AND, all the advice Repiv offered above you can take as take to the bank...entirely accurate.

[Roma Fresco]

Thanks guys! my S is an 01' w/ 73k miles on her. I have been driving it non-stop now (even on every break at work...hey who needs food when you have a convertible and its sunny??) and so far it has been getting better. From what you said <repiv> it isnt so much a grinding but more or less just a slight crunch. so far the past two days i havent had any thing happen between 2-3 any more. THANKS AGAIN!