Jaisin

Is it okay to stomp the clutch or push it in really fast? I can shift faster if I can feel the clutch hit the floor because I know that it is safe to shift without grinding. I know you are not supposed to drop the clutch, but is pushing it in fast okay? It makes the weight transfer less also because I can get back on the gas quicker. It seems like I can shift in 1 second or less. 1.5 seconds max.

Rhawb

I don't think stompping on it really makes a difference, just don't drop it real fast afterwards. I've found the easiest way to be smooth is to not try and force anything though, just do everything with a smooth, natural motion, and it all works out. Now, if you actively try to do this, it usually ends up being choppier because you sort of tend to force youself to do "natural" motions, so just work on finding a nice, natural series of motions to shift (even if the car doesn't shift entirely smooth) and it'll become butter in no time.

Oh, and I tend to just make a habit of pressing the clutch all the way down every time. If you're really extending to do so (or all over it) you're not sitting quite in the right position. You should just be able to extend your foot comfortably before you hit the end of the clutch. Finding just the right spot will really help your smoothness as well.

Jaisin

K, Thanks. I sit 8 inches from the wheel and I sit straight up also. I am like 5'3" so I have to sit really close. I can manipulate the clutch pretty well.

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

i just pictured some kid stomping the **** outta of his pedals...hilarious. how many people out there bought their RX8 as their first manual????? i don't understand this...

Captain Amazing

:o But I learned it in under an hour and was able to go on real roads.

Jaisin

What is speed shifting or power shifting? I don't understand how it works. I've tried what I think it is, but it didn't make sense and I don't see why anyone would do it. I kept the gas pedal depressed while I shifted, but that caused the tach to beep and the fuel to cut off? Seems like its unneccessary/

Rhawb

Yeah, that kind of stuff (clutchless shifting, power shifting, etc.) is probably stuff you don't want to mess with unless you have an instructor right there. You can ravage your tranny pretty badly with things like that. If you really want to learn a useful technique, learn heel-toe downshifting. That's relatively safe...just don't practice unless you have some room to screw up, because it's easy to get crossed up when you're learning it.

Easiest way to learn heel-toe is to first learn to downshift with rev-matching (blip the throttle about 1000-1500rpm as you move to the next lowest gear and let the clutch out), then add braking and the heel-toe motion once you're proficient with rev-matching.

Fanman

That's pretty much what it is. When you do not release the accelerator when you change gears. You do not get as much of the lag as when you let go of the accelerator & have to push it again. You notice that in regular shifting the revs drop, and you have to rev it again. With speed shifting the drop in revs is less & the time it takes to build revs decreases. You have to be very good with shifting for it to make much difference. Like you said, most people shift when they are at redline, and can't go through the multiple gears fast enough anyways. The key is not to let the engine get to the fuel cut but to shift right before it.

StewC625

Jaisin:

Try shifting without the clutch. It's actually better for the gearbox.

Stew

Gambit

Jaisin...go to www.howstuffworks.com and look up manual transmission and clutch. That should enlighten you a bit.

Luftwaffle

It's my first manual. I'm still learning how to shift perfectly smooth, but I can get around.

spork

Same here. I'm ok. First gear still gives me problems and very steep hills still scare me. Ugh, still waiting for mine to come back from the shop.

Nubo

^^ the handbrake maneuever is how you deal with starting off on steep hills.

Gambit

Yep...it's my first manual, first rotary, first sports car, first rear wheel drive, etc. I think I have learned to drive it perfectly fine, I'd probably be no good on a track or autox, but I can drive around as well as anyone else

Luftwaffle

Yeah, we don't have many steep hills around here, I can usually shift and clutch fast enough to get started without using the handbrake in my area. But, if I were ever in SF, I'd be screwed. I need to practice a few starts on a steep incline so that I have it available when I need it. My main problem right now is that I don't shift fast enough and let the revs drop too low while at the same time let off the clutch way too fast. I get really jerky shifts. Starts are AOK. :D

spork

Hehe. yeah. I haven't had to use it yet. I've burned the clutch a bit on a few rare occassions though. It's not like I can't do it, it's I'm afraid of stalling or hitting the guy so I just panic slightly.

So glad I don't live in SF though. Hell, going up Lombard with an automatic was scary especially when people tend to ride your *** going up.

First gear for me is OK, I just don't like doing it and I always feel like it could be better. Somedays I'm jerky, some days I feel like a pro. Heh.

Johnnyma45

I learned on this car as well. Does anyone else think the gas/brake pedal is a little bit to close in relation to the clutch? I can't really find a perfect sitting position...either i'm stretching my left leg too far or my right leg is cramped.

beachdog

Jaisin, you would probably benefit from a clutch pedal extension. The 8's clutch is relatively long throw and a far reach relative to the gas and brake. Sitting too close to the wheel and airbags is dangerous. It also makes the reach to the shifter too close and makes the mirrors hard or even impossible to adjust accurately.

You can do a DIY or there are commercial products available.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ighlight=pedal

You will be amazed at what a 1 or 2 inch extension will do for you.

Jaisin

Thats a lot of work considering I don't have any tools or any hardware skills. It lookes neat, but for the most part, I don't have any gripes with the current clutch position.

Rhawb

Yeah, short guys are alright in this car. I can reach just fine without being crammed into the steering wheel. I can actually comfortably sit farther back in this car than any other manual car that I've driven.