[npoe]

I have problems to shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd. I usually have to wait for the motor to drop about 1,000 rpm before I lift my foot from the clutch. I have no problems with the rest of the shifting but I'm looking for advice about how to do better while shifting to 2nd.

Thanks,

 

[marc89gti]

Practice, practice and more practice, I had the same issue when I bought the car. Took some getting used to how to feather the clutch out just right and not get that jerky feeling that a lot of people find the FiST does in a general sense from 1st to 2nd.

 

[npoe]

I was afraid that there would be no shortcuts

Thanks Marc.

 

[Zormecteon]

I have problems to shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd. I usually have to wait for the motor to drop about 1,000 rpm before I lift my foot from the clutch. I have no problems with the rest of the shifting but I'm looking for advice about how to do better while shifting to 2nd.

Thanks,

Watch the tach. .. see where the rpms are vs mph in both gears. . .match engine speed to mph.... Modern cars keep the rpms artificially high for an extra tic or two to keep unburned fuel from going out the tailpipe, so you have to wait that extra tic before releasing the clutch. .. Watch the tach and catch it as it's falling.

 

[npoe]

I tried to pay more attention this morning and I have to wait until the RPM falls before letting the foot off the clutch, which usually takes about 1 second. So far, I have to options: release the clutch slowly while getting into second or wait about 1 second before releasing the clutch.

What's better for the car (clutch, transmission, motor, etc)?

 

[reddog99]

Performing a smooth 1-2 shift is the most difficult of all the gears due to the large RPM difference between 1 & 2. A bit of backlash between all the different splines in the drive-train, along with the shock absorbing mechanism inside the clutch itself, adds to the difficulty. Add in the emissions mandated behavior that prevents the engine speed from dropping suddenly and you might as well not even try to shift smoothly.

What I'm saying is, just shift normally and ignore the glitch between 1-2. If your other gears are smooth, then you're probably doing everything right, and shifting slightly faster is sometimes better than slower.

 

[Zormecteon]

: release the clutch slowly while getting into second or wait about 1 second before releasing the clutch.

What's better for the car (clutch, transmission, motor, etc)?

It's rarely a good idea to release it slowly,(slipping the clutch) because of added wear to the clutch facing. Much better to wait for the Rs to fall.

 

[eRic]

just do it. here is a video with me shifting from 1-2 and 2-3 and 3-4

 

[npoe]

Thanks to all for the advice.

I think that it'll a while before I get used to let the RPMs fall before letting the clutch out, so far I've been letting it out slowly for second.

 

[haste]

Something that hasn't been mentioned is whether the OP is shifting while driving in a spirited fashion or just normal everyday driving. There is a huuuge difference.

 

[felopr]

if you are not racing, then my advice is to throw it very early, like 2k or close to it, since we have so much torque down low, the car wouldn't bog or lag when u accelerate after throwing the shift, it works for me

 

[npoe]

Normal everyday drive. It is somewhat uncommon for me to drive spirited and if I do is for a short amount of time.

 

[Chuckable]

An upgraded rear engine mount will make that 1-2 shift much smoother by itself.

 

[npoe]

An upgraded rear engine mount will make that 1-2 shift much smoother by itself.

I'll check and if it annoys me enough; I'll pay to replace the originals.

Thanks,

 

[Ed_the_sledd]

Honestly, I just let go of the clutch slowly. This may be considered "riding the clutch" but it makes shifting much smoother. I don't do it in higher gears (or higher speeds). Just let go of the clutch normally until about halfway, then just very slowly let go of the clutch. I do this for first and second gear, and my shifting is pretty smooth

 

[npoe]

That's what I was doing. As today I'm trying to wait a little bit before I let the clutch go for second gear.