I blame it on electronic throttle/drive by wire.

Yep. 5500 in 4th = 79 mph. Change down to 3rd = 6989 rpm.

Now, if you repeat that by again changing down at 5500 rpm, 3rd into 2nd, you’ll zing your motor, forcing a mechanical over-rev. 3rd at 5500 = 7809 rpm in 2nd. Oooops… You don't want to do that. :(

Instead, one could change down from 3rd at 5212 rpm = 7400 rpm in 2nd, right at redline. But why push your luck?

I recommend playing it safe and not changing down above 5000 rpm, and 4500 would give a better margin of safety.

4500 rpm in 3rd = 6400 rpm in 2nd. I’m more comfortable with this. Observe a maximum rpm of 4500 for changing down to the next gear; you'll be less likely to make a mistake when rushed that could blow up your engine.

For those still learning how to drive a manual, this illustrates how one CAN OVER-REV the engine. The computer rev limiter only works when under power in any gear; the limiter will prevent the driver from over-revving the engine under acceleration.

But, the rev limiter cannot prevent a "mechanical over-rev" produced by changing to a lower gear that will have the drive wheels spinning the engine up over redline via the gearbox when you engage the clutch.

I did mention heal/toe during a corner entry in my opening post, but I experience the same sensation while rev matching a normal downshift as well. So, we're all talking about the same thing, essentially.

It's just VERY different from my last car. The shorter gears are somewhat shocking at first. I find I'm shifting wayyyy sooner than I'm used to. I would shift into 4th in the high 40s and use that gear to cruise in off highway. In the BRZ I'm already in 4th in the high 30s and cruising more in 5th. Again, this is just DDing around town.

It's getting there. Even the ride into work this morning, I was able to adjust a bit more. I just have to get better acquainted with it is all. I should mention I've only had the car for a week, so I am jumping the gun a little bit. Also, I'm coming straight off a FI into a NA and taking a 100HP drop to boot, so I'm sure that has something to do with the steaper learning curve.

I blip for days.

I would discourage that. Complete all gear changes while braking IN A STRAIGHT LINE and before turning the steering wheel. You may wish to employ a trail-braking approach, but get your gear changing chores done before turning, lest you stuff it into the trees along the roadside. ;)

My BRZ works fine. With additional practice I expect yours will be fine, too. The BRZ is actually one of the easiest cars to heel-toe for my size 8.5 feet. But that's just me, and I've seen many posts from folks finding it difficult for them. My legs are fairly straight, though, and that helps a lot. If you're like Walter Rohrl, with your knees sharply bent, then I'd expect it would be far more awkward to heel-toe comfortably.

Oh, and isn't the flywheel lighter on this engine? That would cause the revs to drop faster than many cars. I've had mine since last summer ... and I've already forgotten the initial difficulties.

Keep practicing and enjoy this wonderful car.

Yep. It's a close-ratio gearbox. 5th is 1.000 to 1, where in most cars that's 4th gear. So, we've got an extra gear, so to speak, in the first five.

It keeps you busy shifting, doesn't it? :)

They gave us a wonderful gearbox to enjoy the experience.

grumble grumble second gear grumble grumble

Haha! Wait, I did mean to say approaching corner entry! I try never to brake while the wheels are turned if possible.

Sometime I forget there is a 6th gear! :lol:

LOL. I've never had a car that did NOT have a "reluctant" second gear when cold, and especially in the winter months in the snow belt. But, having said that, I would agree that our BRZ is the stiffest by far when cold and shifting into second. After it warms up, it's fine, but that could take 5-10 minutes of driving.

For those who are new to manual transmissions, your gearbox is fine; it just needs to warm up, and this is normal.

Me too. Drive by wire, and consequently pedal response, can vary drastically from car to car..

Atta boy! :thumbsup:

Me, too! :)

So, are you enjoying your new BRZ?

When I run my muffler delete I find I can rev match much easier than when I run the stock muffler. I'm not sure if it's due to the increased sound or if it actually changes the rate the engine revs down.

For the most part though, you can blame most of your rev-matching issues to DBW and emissions.

I think it's the electronic throttle too, my truck has better throttle response even with play in the cable.

Car senses you're slowing down so it lets the revs drop, you put the clutch in "cool beans" the car thinks, then you hit the throttle: "WAIT WHAT OH GOD WHAT DO I DO?" then it revs up once it figures out that's what you really really want.

...

zigah zigah ah

Reminds me of the '04 RAV4 my mother bought, it has a very similar response to sudden throttle inputs under deceleration to my FRS.

Are there not some cars that have what I call 'computerized automatic blipping' (for manual transmissions)?