Difficult downshifting to 2nd gear

[lukey86]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

I dunno, I always rev match. I even rev match when I'm going from the bottom of 3rd to 2nd. It's less driveline stress any way you slice it, and it's certainly smoother. The balance upset that relying on the synchros causes really bothers me though, but to each his own.

Yeah true, I'm certainly not criticizing anyone who does it's just from my experience with these cars you have to be driving very hard before rev matching starts to become practical. I guess it's mainly because I drive a truck for a living. I have to double clutch an rev match all day long so it's the last thing I wanna do when I jump in my car to go home lol

[Luftwaffel]

Originally Posted by lukey86

Yeah true, I'm certainly not criticizing anyone who does it's just from my experience with these cars you have to be driving very hard before rev matching starts to become practical. I guess it's mainly because I drive a truck for a living. I have to double clutch an rev match all day long so it's the last thing I wanna do when I jump in my car to go home lol

Speaking of trucks... man, I was up in NT a few months ago and saw the road trains first hand. Quad trailer, 22 axles or something. Mind blown.

[ryoma]

I downshift whenever I drop below 3k or want to slow down for a light... and it's easier for me to rev match than to slowly release the clutch for a smoother shift. only gear I don't usually rev match to is 2nd unless I'm going to take a tight turn.

for the problem the OP brought up, are you still on the stock transmission and diff fluid? perhaps try changing it out to something else and see if it's better. I'm on motul gear 300 for both and I only have difficulty with 2nd gear on a cold day when the transmission isn't up to temp. driving out my block in 1st gear around 3k warms it up fast though so by the time I hit the streets, it's fine.

[Ultramaroon]

How many miles on the transmission? It starts to break in at about 9000 miles. I'm at 20 Kmi now. It's still cranky when it's cold. A GREAT transmission. I have a light touch. The synchros finally grab enough that I don't feel I have to double-clutch downshifts.

[nova.86]

Originally Posted by lukey86

Why would you rev a synchro box?

If you don't rev and you try going 3rd to 2nd while at 45..your tires will make an unpleasant sound and your engine will hate you. lol

I know because when I was first learning to rev match I didn't put in as much gas and was still trying to find out the sweet spot of revs. It doesn't sound pretty

[lukey86]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

Speaking of trucks... man, I was up in NT a few months ago and saw the road trains first hand. Quad trailer, 22 axles or something. Mind blown.

Yeah they're amazing when you're up close, I have a couple of friends who drive them, crazy guys lol. I'll be getting my multi combo licence when I move back to QLD but I think I'll stick with two trailers thankyou very much! lol

[lukey86]

Originally Posted by nova.86

If you don't rev and you try going 3rd to 2nd while at 45..your tires will make an unpleasant sound and your engine will hate you. lol

I know because when I was first learning to rev match I didn't put in as much gas and was still trying to find out the sweet spot of revs. It doesn't sound pretty

I've locked the rear wheels twice in my car, both times I was changing back to third from 5th and both times I was driving like a complete lunatic lol still didn't feel the need to rev match because I know that the mechanical integrity of this little car won't be compromised by breifly locking a wheel.

I doubt I'm gonna try shifting back to 2nd at 70kph anytime soon tho lol third gear still has more than enough engine braking capacity at that speed. If your'e on a track and trying to get every last bit of braking power out of the car by shorting you're downshifts, then fair enough, you'll save the drivetrain from constant shock loading and tyre wear and brake heat but on the road? you might drive like that on small occasions but surely not everywhere. And if you do then maybe you shouldn't be on the road at all lol

[ryoma]

Downshifting to 2nd at 45 mph is pretty hardcore on the street lol

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[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by ryoma

Downshifting to 2nd at 45 mph is pretty hardcore on the street lol

+6 months, new post: "grinds going into 2nd gear transmission sux"

[RJasonKlein]

To the original poster, no offense intended, but in a large part it's your technique. The Aisin transmissions used in our cars are actually very good, but require much more precision than most in regard to timing in general and rev matching. Some people have no problem adapting and others really struggle - getting it right is what makes things so rewarding in these cars. I double-clutch and rev match all shifts and, when done properly, these cars shift beautifully. That said, downshifting to second gear is still the downchange that requires the most precision - even when double-clutching, if your revs are off by a fair bit the transmission will protest. Get it right, and it practically makes the downchange on its own.

To your credit, the transmission will loosen up significantly over the first thousand miles or so, which generally improves shifting overall. Secondly, shifting action is one of the biggest complaints some people have with these cars, so you're not alone. Lastly, it's winter and you're in Canada, and these cars don't shift well in the cold until the transmissions really come up to temperature.

There are things you can do to improve shifting - here are some of the things I've done on my car to address this issue:

• Whiteline KDT925 (differential) ($50)
• Whiteline KDT926 (transmission) ($32.50)
• Whiteline KDT922 (crossmember) ($32.50)
• Perrin rear shifter bushing ($35)
• MTEC springs ($32.98)
• Millers Oils CRX 75W90 NT ($67.36)

My drivetrain is stiff and noisy, but my car shifts incredibly and I love it (your girlfriend or wife may not, so be forewarned).

[GT86girl541]

I have this same problem. But also if it's cold I can't pause between shifts from first to second. I have to go straight for 2nd gear or else it fights me and I have to double pump the clutch. Same scenario when shifting down from 3 to 2.


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[lukey86]

Originally Posted by GT86girl541

I have this same problem. But also if it's cold I can't pause between shifts from first to second. I have to go straight for 2nd gear or else it fights me and I have to double pump the clutch. Same scenario when shifting down from 3 to 2.


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Refer to Tcoat's post earlier in the thread for this one, it contains threads about why 2nd acts up on cold start and why its meant to be that way

[GT86girl541]

Originally Posted by lukey86

Refer to Tcoat's post earlier in the thread for this one, it contains threads about why 2nd acts up on cold start and why its meant to be that way

I seeeee..... 🤔


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[golemslord]

Originally Posted by ryoma

I downshift whenever I drop below 3k or want to slow down for a light... and it's easier for me to rev match than to slowly release the clutch for a smoother shift. only gear I don't usually rev match to is 2nd unless I'm going to take a tight turn.

for the problem the OP brought up, are you still on the stock transmission and diff fluid? perhaps try changing it out to something else and see if it's better. I'm on motul gear 300 for both and I only have difficulty with 2nd gear on a cold day when the transmission isn't up to temp. driving out my block in 1st gear around 3k warms it up fast though so by the time I hit the streets, it's fine.

Yeah it only happens when the car is cold, problem is gone once warmed up. And yes, all stock currently