GearSpeed Magic - Wrenchin' - Honda Tuning Magazine

One of the more intricate and oftentimes mind-numbing aspects of building a Honda is diving into the truly mechanical side of things. Just about anyone can manage to bolt on parts or add simple dress-up items, but the engine and drivetrain upgrades are often left to the pros. As backyard motor swaps have become almost an overnight affair, the one area that has caused the most concern and even fits of rage is the transmission. When it comes to transmissions, there’s a very small group that can be called upon for masterful work. The Tetris-like assembly that includes dozens of miniature pieces that work together in unison to orchestrate a proper gear change along with the fact that one tiny mistake can lead to catastrophic gear damage, leaves many to contact their local tranny guru for help.

Enter GearSpeed, a company focused specifically on the inner workings of the transmission and its many supporting parts. The group specializes in customized high-performance transmissions and parts, and essentially seen and done it all from street to strip. As well respected by the entire Honda/Acura community as they are, you’d be hard pressed to find another group of individuals with as much hands-on experience as the GearSpeed crew. While the company has been thriving since its inception in 2003, its history goes back quite a bit further. GearSpeed is actually a sister company to H&A Transmission, which started in 1992 as a wholesale remanufacturer of transmissions to supply to Honda and Acura dealerships as well as independent repair specialists throughout the entire nation. After almost two decades of tearing down and rebuilding every possible Honda/Acura transmission in existence, it’s safe to say this group knows exactly what they’re doing when a customer brings them a gearbox.

02 As stated, GearSpeed is a subsidiary of H&A Transmissions, operating out of a massive facility in California’s Inland Empire.
02 As stated, GearSpeed is a subsidiary of H&A Transmissions, operating out of a massive
03 Inside, you’ll find Honda/Acura transmission components of every kind, both OEM and aftermarket. For all that action that takes place inside the facility, everything is surgically separated into different categories.
03 Inside, you’ll find Honda/Acura transmission components of every kind, both OEM and af
04 Despite what many may think, GearSpeed and H&A do not follow the typical assembly-line style of operation. Each transmission is designated to one technician, and that technician performs all necessary repairs from start to finish.
04 Despite what many may think, GearSpeed and H&A do not follow the typical assembly-line

05 Individual workstations where technicians tear down transmissions before taking the parts to cleaning stations that are in-house.
05 Individual workstations where technicians tear down transmissions before taking the pa
06 The workstations divided into rooms are where transmission reassembly takes place after cleaning and repairs. Notification lights on every room denote how that particular worker is doing, whether the reassembly process is going smoothly or if the technician requires assistance.
06 The workstations divided into rooms are where transmission reassembly takes place afte
07 The Spoon Sports– assembled SPNM six-speed manual transmission.

Recently, Jeff “Kiwi” Owen of Special Projects Motorsports acquired an FD2 Civic Type R, built by none other than famed Japanese tuner Spoon Sports. Kiwi’s Special Projects team quickly tore the Civic apart to prepare it for the 25 Hours at Thunderhill event, and the Spoon-built SPNM transmission was sent off to GearSpeed. There, the GearSpeed techs were assigned the job of installing a new Gear-X close-ratio gear set which is required for more fluid gear changes that are required for the driving marathon at Thunderhill Raceway. Spoon Sports’ original gear set would have necessitated constant up- and downshifts and, with OEM-type gear sets, may have led to possible failure due to stress from a harsh endurance race like the 25 Hours event. What Spoon Sports did was take the OEM fifth gear and moved it into the sixth gear location, then followed it up with new fourth and fifth gears to complement the changes. The new Gear-X provided closer ratios and offered a larger tooth profile to allow a more solid gear contact patch.

James Ornelas of GearSpeed contacted us and asked if we’d be interested in watching him crack open a Spoon Sports FD2R transmission, and just like you, our curiosity was off the charts. We headed down to Rancho Cucamonga, California, to check it out in person, and snap a few pictures to show the process.

08 Labels on the transmission show that this unit contains a Spoon cross gear set and Spoon limited-slip differential. This transmission is also “Spoon Sports Certified.”
08 Labels on the transmission show that this unit contains a Spoon cross gear set and Spo
09 Here is GearSpeed specialist James Ornelas starting the teardown of the Spoon tranny. Even he admitted to being excited about the Spoon unit as this was his first experience with one.
09 Here is GearSpeed specialist James Ornelas starting the teardown of the Spoon tranny.
10 The shift lever assembly was the first to be removed. The OEM shift spring will be replaced with an MTEC Industries upgrade.
10 The shift lever assembly was the first to be removed. The OEM shift spring will be rep

11 The reverse lock-out unit disassembled for solenoid testing to ensure proper operation.
11 The reverse lock-out unit disassembled for solenoid testing to ensure proper operation
12 We don’t recommend that you attempt to take a transmission apart on your own, but if you do, remember to wear the proper safety glasses because there are some intricate parts that can attack.
12 We don’t recommend that you attempt to take a transmission apart on your own, but if y
13 With all outside bolts removed and the case clip held open, the main case can be safely pried up and released.
13 With all outside bolts removed and the case clip held open, the main case can be safel

15 The main case removed, exposing the internal tranny assembly. Despite its purpose as a racing application, the internals were in very good condition with the exception of some very minor wear.
15 The main case removed, exposing the internal tranny assembly. Despite its purpose as a
16 The Spoon Sports limited-slip differential attached to a 5.06 final drive. You can also see here just how clean the transmission appeared internally. The Spoon LSD looks like it’s brand-new.
16 The Spoon Sports limited-slip differential attached to a 5.06 final drive. You can als
17 The other side of the transmission. Here you can see the oil baffle, along with the main shaft and countershaft. The fluids looked clean and fresh.
17 The other side of the transmission. Here you can see the oil baffle, along with the ma

18 Removal of the reverse gear and pin assembly.
19 James took out the main shaft and countershaft assemblies.
20 The mainshaft prior to disassembly. Again, you can see here that the transmission is in very good shape. This indicates Spoon Sports has taken great care of this transmission, or it was rebuilt prior to the car being sold.
20 The mainshaft prior to disassembly. Again, you can see here that the transmission is i