Carbon Synchros
Carbon Synchro History:
2001: Honda introduced the use of carbon lined synchros in the JDM K20 ITR on 3rd and 4th gears and on the D17 Civic 1st gear. I first noticed a carbon synchro on 5th gear in a USDM trans in 2002 on an H22 transmission that I was rebuilding. After doing some research, I discovered that Honda had a technical service bulletin to replace the 5th sleeve set with an updated carbon lined synchro to reduce the shift grind. They have since also used update kits with carbon lined synchros for other models with shift issues and started using them in several late model transmissions.
2003: Originally, when I was working at a different company, we sold OEM carbon lined synchros made by Dynax. In 2005, when we lost our source for the Dynax carbon lined synchros, we developed moly coated synchros for the B series. As you can see in the test results chart, they are much better than the stock brass synchros but were not as good as a full carbon lined synchro.
2008: The company I worked for was discontinuing their performance division so I purchased their remaining inventory and started Synchrotech Transmissions Inc. At first we sold the same carbon/moly coated synchros while we started the testing and development of a new carbon lined synchro. We tested several different carbon compounds and went back to the drawing board numerous times. We tested side by side with the previous moly synchros and with each new prototype we made changes to improve performance and longevity.
February 2010: After a year of testing, we debuted the new Synchrotech "Pro Series Carbon Synchros" for 1st-5th gears on the B/H/D series. Unlike the previous carbon/moly synchros they have a full carbon fiber lining, not just a coating. We have also improved the lock angle, tooth pattern, strengthened the brass body and bonding process to handle more HP and high RPM shifts.
June 2010: We started testing the K20 2nd 3rd carbon synchros. With the help of several race teams (that were kind enough to be our guinea pigs) we tested and developed the K series carbon lined synchros. As we did previously with the B series, these synchros were put through testing in street cars, and on the track, with drag and road race abuse. Updates and changes were made along the way including an added fiber mesh between the carbon and brass body to strengthen the bonding and we revised the oiling grooves for better lubrication. These same upgrades have also been incorporated to the rest of our synchro line.
November 2010: We added the complete 1-6 K series carbon lined synchros to our store.
2011: We are continuously testing and developing new products with our commitment to provide the best parts and service in the industry.
David Henson
CEO/ President
Synchrotech Transmissions Inc.
Visit our online store to order:
http://shop.synchrotech-transmissions.com/Synchros_c2.htm
From Import Tuner Magazine article:
Brass, Carbon-Coated and Full-Carbon Synchros
What do the racers prefer?
"I rev out to almost 11 grand in each gear," begins Tim Thomas, NYC-based Low Budget Racing's 9.6-second B-series Civic drag champ, "and it was just killing the stock synchros. They were failing every two or three passes." He continues, "I've gone over 20 passes on Synchrotech's carbon-fiber ones so far, and shifting at high rpm is way faster. If I blow a trans, I'll yank out the synchros and put them in the new trans-good as new!" Brian Kono, of Cypress, CA's After Hours Automotive, whose road-race EG recently won Honda Challenge's H2 class with the prototype full carbon-fiber synchros installed (and with Renan Bayar behind the wheel), concurs. "We log thousands of high-rpm, abusive shifts during each race weekend," he explains, "and the carbon synchros outperform OE in every way."
