I've been driving stick shift for 5 years now and I consider myself to be a smooth shifter until I got my R. I drove my parent's manual tranny bimmer all the time and I didn't have a problem with the 1-2 shift. Now with the ITR, it's a different story. Any tips from the pro's?

 

Describe how you are shifting...? At what RPM are you shifting at.

 

Try letting the clutch out just a hair later or slower than you do for the other gears. The the rpm drop from 1 to 2 is the biggest drop compared to the other shifts. I used to jerk doing 1 to 2 on my GSR when I was learning how to drive a stick. And then watching the tach I figured out that I was letting the clutch out too fast since the rpms have to drop more for the 1-2 as compared to 2-3, 3-4 or 4-5. Give that a try.

 

What exactly are you trying to do? Shift smoother? I guess I'll have to pay attention to it next time I drive the car. The only other manuals I drive on a regular basis are my MR2 and my g/f's Mercury Mystique. I haven't noticed a problem with any first to second shift on any of those cars.

 

I can do a smooth 1-2 shift when I take my time but I usually find someone on my tail when I do take my time. I want to shift from 1st to 2nd without feeling a jerk and at the same time not taking all eternity to do the transition. I can do it from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th, and 4th to 5th.


[Modified by CPR, 7:39 PM 10/11/2001]

 

This may be a but try and consciously press the clutch pedal ALL the way to the floor. I know sometimes if I'm trying to shift fast but not thinking I half-*** it and it's not as smooth. How long have you had the R? It may just be getting used to it.

 

when u push on clutch and shift it in 2nd gear.... even out the gas and clutch... make sure you give enough gas as well as letting go of enough clutch... it just takes practice.. g/luck

 

I do find that the shift is smoother if I do it quicker. I have trouble keeping it smooth if I shift slow. But if I'm racing, it's real smooth. Maybe that's because I'm paying more attention to what I'm doing.

 

I have the most grind incidents happening from 1-2. Particularly when my mind is on other things then shifting...like approaching a corner in Auto-X....I grind all the time...
To drive smooth of 1-2.....well, the easiest way of doing it is shift at 5k.