I'm replacing a terrible CD008 in my car with a brand new CD00A transmission and wondering if people like the Nissan fluid better or Redline MT85? Also, since the transmission is brand new, is it still worth installing the MTEC shift springs? Are there any other things to consider with this install?

For the record, my car is a 2005 S2000 with a POS CD008 trans swapped in, so I want to get this new trans installed and not have to mess with it again for a long time. The shifter for this swap is a modified GKTech shifter, which I'm really not a fan of, but that could just be the junky transmission too.

 

As a racer campaigning a 350Z in SCCA racing, count me as a fan of Redline MT85. Both my street and race Zs use OEM components (SCCA rules mandate them for the race car) and I'm skeptical aftermarket shift springs or shifter kits are worth it.

 

Worth it as of price, effects or both? Just wondering because I have a Stillen shifter on order because I haven't heard anything bad about it. Was thinking about thise springs too but what do they even do? Good to know about the MT85 though, I was wondering because I want to swap to a new trans when I get this boost build going.

 

I'm skeptical about whether stiffer springs to define shifter gates will really help the ham handed from missing shifts. Also, do short shift really help acceleration? Nissan did a lot of R&D on both these areas and I think they got both these components just right.

 

Gotcha, I don't think a short shifter would help acceleration and I wouldn't buy for that. I kinda agree with you which is why I've kept the stock shifter for 8+ years. Only mod I have is the TK ****, I want the shifter just to possibly tighten things up a tiny bit.

 

In my case with the current CD008 trans swap into my S2000, using the modified GKTech shifter, there is some sloppy side to side play. This is probably due to the shifter design, but supposedly the MTEC shift springs help with the side to side play.

Also, I don't know if this is a function (problem) with the transmission, but after running it a while and getting the engine/trans good and warm, the shifter will get stuck in the down position. So picture trying to shift gears when the lever is stuck down like you pushed down to get it into reverse. I have to pull up very hard on it to get it to come back up so that I can use all the gears again. Once everything cools off, its back to normal again.

 

Funny, I have replaced various shifters over the years with "short shifters" because the originals were clearly NOT set up for clean, fast shifting under aggressive or race conditions. But I'm talking about a stock Muncie M21 factory shifter that feels like a big wooden ladle stirring pancake batter and replaced with a Hurst Super Shifter or Competition Plus. Those are shifters that make a SIGNIFICANT difference on lever operated transmissions. However, I have never felt the need to replace the shifters in ANY of my 20+ Z cars, including all from S30 to Z34. Shifter BUSHINGS, YES, but never the entire shifter/lever. I also agree with dkmura that Nissan "got it right" with the Z33 shifter. Just $.02

 

I don't even think you can buy the bushings by themselves anymore can you? I'll see how the Stillen feels and if I don't like it I can swap it back. The TK **** is miles better than stock though.