when i shift into 2nd gear from first, it takes a long time and it grinds, especially when im in the higher RPMs. this is causing my car to have slower acceleration. what do you think the problem is? could it be my transmission or clutch?

 

synchroniser gear in second

 

Age old problem.........Syncros. If it were the clutch, you'd have problems with every shift.

 

I recently rebuilt the tranny in mine and with 100k on the box, the synchros are fine, the input to main shaft bearing had worn allowing the shfts to flex slightly. Mine did the same grinding at high r's in 3rd too. 250 bucks from mazda dealer for all new bearins throughout and a couple of quarts of NEO tranny oil, and it good through 8500.

 

You can't rush second gear in these cars. The gear ratios between first and second are too far apart, you have got to give the gearbox time to catch up. It isn't a close ratio gearbox like what you'd find in a Honda, or like what's in my Sentra or my R/T.

My last FC had 170,000 miles on it, the gearbox was all original and had never been cracked open. It was one of the nicest feeling gearboxes I've ever used.

I ruined two FC gearboxes before I figured this out. Do yourself a favor and take a look at how you're handling the shifter so you don't have this problem again. Also, you may want to learn how to double clutch your downshifts. I really think this is the reason why my gearbox held up so well, because I'm good at double clutching and I gave my syncros time to work when I upshifted.

 

try some redline and be easy on it for now. If you can't do that then rebuild the bitch.