2nd gear too short???
 

Hey everyone,

I've done a couple events with the BRZ so far and the car feels great.

During my last event though, I topped out 2nd and experienced the ECU cut in power. This would happen as I was approaching a wallom.

Now, do you think I should just shift to 3rd early and downshift again into the wallom or would it be better to just hold second at redline (no WOT)?

Just trying to get better and I would like to hear some thoughts from other people.

Here's a video of the course from that day: (I know I still have more than plenty to improve, especially early turn-ins and braking, but let's try to stay on topic about the short 2nd gear)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOQt1b1mAY&feature=plcp"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOQt1b1mAY&feature=plcp[/ame]

well, since you'll never get to do this course again we'll never know (and what a weird course..)

my rule of thumb is that if it's 2 seconds or less you're better off keeping it at redline, this will mean less leg work and shifting so you can keep your composure and focus on smoothness

also the 2nd gear gets up to 97km/h, that's a pretty fast autocross.

I'll typically look at it from the other direction... do I have a spot that lends itself to make a downshift to 2nd without upsetting the car? If there are a lot of transitions and no hard braking areas immediately following the 3rd gear need, chances are I will end up carrying 3rd gear too long and be outside of the powerband. That can often times be worse than carrying second at the limiter for an extra second or two.

Time for an Ecutek flash to raise that rev limiter to 7800...

Welcome to Street Touring/Street Prepared.

Oh yea, sorry about that :bonk:

Sure that is a no brainer for a car with a hard rev limiter... let it bang away. However, the BRZ has a soft rev limiter, correct? If that is the case it would be more like comparing a shift to 3rd compared to a lift. Soft rev limiters are not good :(

Very much agree, though the same logic applies... we'll probably just find the decision to shift to 3rd will be more often. I've found downshifting in this car is suuuper easy to rev match, should be fun, and will probably have plenty of opportunity to practice :thumbsup:

Thanks for all the advice. My main concern was what you guys brought up. I was afraid to upset the balance to start the wallom.

Hopefully I'll have more chances to practice in the future. Cheers!