Grinding gears...how much damage am I doing?

[thkfast]

So, historically, I've been hard on manual transmissions. Maybe I'm used to motorcycle transmissions and lightning fast shifts, but eventually, I grind gears. As soon as the clutch pedal hits the floor, I move the shifter, then jump off the pedal - apparently sometimes too fast for my own good.

Here's my question to those with first hand knowledge of transmissions, gears, teeth, cogs, etc,...how much damage do gear grinds cause? I've tried to be so careful, so precise and positive with my shifts on this new car, but today with 500 miles on the odometer, I somehow flubbed a 1st to 2nd shift and managed my first grinder in this car at about 5,000 rpms.

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

TR6060 are tough but do not shift well without good fluid. Factory fluid is junk, I switched to Redline. As far as the grinding she might be able to handle that 10-15 times in her life if it was a forced hard grind before stuff gets jacked up. And when I say hard grind I mean people looking at you saying WTF because they hear it. If you did not force it and backed off as soon as you heard it start to grind you have maybe 50 of those before real damage.

[Slowhawk]

6060 gears are tough but the syncro's are weak. Grind a syncro out usually means you need the gear which can be expensive. I've rebuild a few with the cheapest being 900 parts/labor.

Use better fluid in the tranny. If you are stupid aggressive think about changing the clutch to something better than will disengage under heavy abuse.

[thkfast]

Originally Posted by Slowhawk

6060 gears are tough but the syncro's are weak. Grind a syncro out usually means you need the gear which can be expensive. I've rebuild a few with the cheapest being 900 parts/labor.

Use better fluid in the tranny. If you are stupid aggressive think about changing the clutch to something better than will disengage under heavy abuse.

Are you suggesting a fully synthetic manual transmission fluid?

[Spartan01]

They are suggesting Redline brand, or Amsoil.

[thkfast]

Originally Posted by Spartan01

They are suggesting Redline brand, or Amsoil.

Redline brand was suggested, but I see several viscosities listed plus a synthetic line. So, I could use a specific recommendation.

[Synner]

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-30504...redline+d4+atf

[Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch]

Originally Posted by Slowhawk

6060 gears are tough but the syncro's are weak. Grind a syncro out usually means you need the gear which can be expensive. I've rebuild a few with the cheapest being 900 parts/labor.

Use better fluid in the tranny. If you are stupid aggressive think about changing the clutch to something better than will disengage under heavy abuse.

I agree better trans fluid may help, but having a clutch that can take more of a beating than the stock one especially with more power than stock and fully disengage assuming your timing is right will keep you from doing any damage to the synchros in the trans!