2000 986 S 6 speed manual tranny fluid... hmmm.

[DanWEC]

Originally Posted by Danimal

Per others on the forum and a call to gbox, this is the correct transmission oil 000 043 305 49. Not the classic stuff.

Even with the correct stuff, gears can be tough to get into the first few times if it’s cold out. I wonder if bleeding your clutch may help. It probably never gets done until clutch replacement time and it gets hot in that engine bay.

Really eh, so perhaps I should swap it out. Thanks.

[DanWEC]

I'm in the habit of updating posts... people don't do it enough when asking for solutions.
Just wanted to post an update, after about 200km with the Porsche fluid, AND a new BAD shifter, the transmission is very slick.
It's hot around here, so that may have a little to do with it, but it's been getting progressively smoother by the week. Now, it's delightful. Almost no effort to snick into any gear.
I'm wondering what the reason would be for a gradual improvement..... I can only think of two things- A) There was some sort of glazing on the syncros that has gradually cleaned off under the proper fluid. Or B), The fluid itself has changed in some way, either more or less friction.
In any manner, things are good. Interesting.