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Shifting?

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Old 04-03-2008, 11:02 AM
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Shifting?

I am still having issues shifting. This is the first stick I've owned, but I've driven several in the past. What's the deal with shifting gears in this car? ITs revving like crazy, its kicking, and just being difficult in general.
Old 04-03-2008, 11:03 AM
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revving would be ur right foot, kicking would be u suffocating the engine by making it run at below 750 rpm
Old 04-03-2008, 11:10 AM
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kicking is also the result of a shift where the clutch is engaged too quickly
Old 04-03-2008, 11:17 AM
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be smooth with the car. its not a pickup truck.
Old 04-03-2008, 12:15 PM
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well..

..read some other threads on shifting and it looks like i'm not the only one. i'll keep practicing.
Old 04-03-2008, 12:17 PM
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I've only owned manuals and this car feels much different than most - even a previous RX-7 I had. It seems my clutch engagement is really high in this car (pedal height off the floor at the point the clutch fully engages) - which can be adjusted. At first it seemed it was easier for me to quickly dump the clutch just before mashing the throttle (especially in the upper rev range).

Try this: As your clutch foot slowly comes up, your throttle foot should slowly come down smoothly (after you've selected the gear) at roughly the same speeds to ensure smooth shifts. So halfway through the maneuver, your clutch foot and throttle foot would be at the same level. Does that make sense? You can do this very slowly until you get it down smooth and then speed up the process for smooth fast shifts.

Last edited by JRichter; 04-03-2008 at 12:19 PM.
Old 04-03-2008, 12:24 PM
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Thanks Richter, good advice!
Old 04-03-2008, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by j84ustin
I am still having issues shifting. This is the first stick I've owned, but I've driven several in the past. What's the deal with shifting gears in this car? ITs revving like crazy, its kicking, and just being difficult in general.
I'd be willing to bet you don't get much repeat business in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.
Old 04-03-2008, 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by JRichter
I've only owned manuals and this car feels much different than most - even a previous RX-7 I had. It seems my clutch engagement is really high in this car (pedal height off the floor at the point the clutch fully engages) - which can be adjusted. At first it seemed it was easier for me to quickly dump the clutch just before mashing the throttle (especially in the upper rev range).
I agree. but it was a lot easier to drive the other cars that i've owned
Old 04-04-2008, 02:40 PM
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From what I have noticed, and per dealer recommendation, shifting at higher rpms than what the owner's manual suggests seems to result in a more smooth shift. The owner's manual will have you shifting at around 3k RPM, but the sweet spot seems to be somewhere around 4.5k. And its more fun!
Old 04-04-2008, 02:54 PM
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Double clutch !
Old 04-04-2008, 03:00 PM
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I've always found this car very easy to drive, although it does require a little more throttle than other cars with more torque. Yes, shiting at higher rpm should be easier. Once the car is warmed up, shifting at 4k and above seems to engage the easiest.

Above all, concentrate on being smooth. This car seems to reward smoothness even more than most cars.
Old 04-04-2008, 04:26 PM
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practice, practice, practice!!! seriously.......i asked my self the same question about a year ago....
Old 04-04-2008, 05:39 PM
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The car is definitely different, but not in a bad way. When I first got it, I constantly would shift horribly, causing slight bucking/stalling. Took a couple weeks, but I got it under control, finally.
Old 04-04-2008, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by j84ustin
..read some other threads on shifting and it looks like i'm not the only one. i'll keep practicing.
That it, just keep practicing! thats what I did. Try dif things when driving. Get "your" feel
-Gil
Old 04-04-2008, 08:43 PM
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i shift at 2.5k rpm all the time. works fine. sometimes i shift at 2k, and thats still fine.
Old 04-04-2008, 08:44 PM
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Practice makes perfect!
Old 04-04-2008, 08:45 PM
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right.
Old 04-04-2008, 09:23 PM
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practice practice
Old 04-04-2008, 09:25 PM
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when trying to execute smooth shifts, i tend to ease up on the throttle right before i push the clutch in to eliminate the sudden acceleration/deceleration i get if i were to just punch the clutch without easing up on the throttle.. once the clutch is in, i shift gears and as i'm easing the clutch back out i'm also easing back into the throttle.. the trick is to match clutch out and throttle in.. once you figure that out, your shifts will be as smooth as butter.. this is not for stoplight drags or racing of any kind.. this is first date driving.. i have no point of reference for this.. this is from my own experience.. if led the OP astray in any way, please correct me.. hope this helps
Old 04-05-2008, 12:58 AM
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i sense the force strong with this one
Old 04-05-2008, 01:12 AM
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get an AT!

problem solved
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