Synchros problem?

[Rayme]

I found that you got to shift a bit "firmer" than softer with this car (compared to like, eh, a dx civic). Just a small firm push instead of a slow/easy slide makes the shift better.

It was -4 Celcius this morning and the transmission was pretty cooperative.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by #87

How do you drive in stop sign every corner areas and stop go traffic? I find in other cars I can get away with rolling around 7 mph in second but this car 7mph in second and it lugs hard. Have to be at ~12mph before second is useable.

One option would be to slip the clutch for a fraction of a second in 2nd before fully engaging it.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by #87

How do you drive in stop sign every corner areas and stop go traffic? I find in other cars I can get away with rolling around 7 mph in second but this car 7mph in second and it lugs hard. Have to be at ~12mph before second is useable.

I use 2nd gear, I feel good using it down to 7-8 MPH.

Sometimes when I start in 1st and never make it over 13-14MPH I'll just say in 1st in stop and go traffic... which I battle often.

[wu_dot_com]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

Just a couple of notes, I have been using manual shift cars for thirty years and never had a transmission that required service, or had to replace a clutch (even after 155,000 original miles). So, my shift style is not to blame. The problem is inconsistent, but appears to be getting worse, so I will be bringing it to the attention of the dealer. The issue appears when getting into first for the initial start up and then into second gear. Example: heavy traffic, I slow down a bit while in second, then switch into neutral, I put the car back into second, at about 22 mph, but it takes a fair amount of push and noise to get it back into gear. The overall feeling of getting into gear at this point is not smooth at all. The feeling is similar to well-worn synchros on an old transmission. What I wanted to know is if other people are experiencing this.

mine feels the same and its not just 2. some time 3-4th gears too.

what i end up doing is just rev match by bliping the throttle to get the gears into the gate.

[FRiSson]

The gear shift is more balky in the cold weather, even after the engine is warm.

[Mathewgzlz]

Can someone please explain what rev matching is and the infamous double clutch?

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by Mathewgzlz

Can someone please explain what rev matching is and the infamous double clutch?

Rev-matching is when you blip the throttle to raise the revs to where they will be when you downshift into a lower gear.

Double-clutching is basically a technique used to take the synchronizers out of the equation when shifting. Basically, you clutch in, move shift lever to neutral, clutch out, clutch back in, shift into the next gear, then clutch out again. So you're clutching twice (hence "double"-clutching) for one shift.

[DarkSunrise]

As temps have been dropping below 40, I've noticed 2nd gear can be difficult in the first 2 minutes of driving. Double-clutching into 2nd until the transmission warms up (upshifts and downshifts) helps tremendously. If you're still having trouble with 2nd, try that for the first couple of minutes.

On a more general note, this transmission has gotten pretty smooth for me over the past 1000 miles. It's a nice piece. A bit notchier than the best Honda units (S2000, RSX-S, etc.), but very precise and nice short throws. Really starting to enjoy shifting with this car.

Originally Posted by White Shadow

Basically, you clutch in, move shift lever to neutral, clutch out, match revs, clutch back in, shift into the next gear, then clutch out again. So you're clutching twice (hence "double"-clutching) for one shift.

Fixed.

[sierra]

What's all the fuss about changing down into first gear?
My first cars were post WW2 and one pre WW2 with mainly 3 speeds and no syncro on 1st. I drove a post office van with a crash[no synrco] box for a week once and was told I would have enough time to roll a smoke changing up. It was an exact art with every shift or it didn't happen.

When????? I get my GTS 86 with triple syncros on 1st gear if it doesn't shift into that gear on the move it will be straight in for a warranty claim.

When I drive slowly around the car park in my current 5 speed manual single cab, it shifts into 1st from 2nd without any complaint and I think it only has double syncros!

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Fixed.

If you're fast, there's no need to match revs because they'll fall to where they need to be by the time you engage the clutch in gear....but you have to be able to double clutch quickly. If you're not that quick, then rev matching is a good idea.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by White Shadow

If you're fast, there's no need to match revs because they'll fall to where they need to be by the time you engage the clutch in gear....but you have to be able to double clutch quickly. If you're not that quick, then rev matching is a good idea.

Yep agree for upshifts. For downshifts, you'll want to rev-match on the double-clutch (also applies for regular downshifts).

[HunterGreene]

The larger question is, why would you want to double-clutch? The synchros are there for a reason. This isn't a WWII-era Personnel carrier.

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

The larger question is, why would you want to double-clutch? The synchros are there for a reason. This isn't a WWII-era Personnel carrier.

I agree. You have synchros, so use them. But--there are times when double-clutching makes sense. For example, in cold weather when your gearbox oil is still cold, shifting can be a bit difficult/balky/clunky until the gear oil warms up. Double-clutching will make shifting into gear a breeze simply because it takes the synchros out of the equation.

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by White Shadow

I agree. You have synchros, so use them. But--there are times when double-clutching makes sense. For example, in cold weather when your gearbox oil is still cold, shifting can be a bit difficult/balky/clunky until the gear oil warms up. Double-clutching will make shifting into gear a breeze simply because it takes the synchros out of the equation.

Right, but then you have to rev-match on the upshifts as well, no? I would figure the gear oil warms up pretty quickly, at least it has in my experience.