2nd gear stiffness: How to make it fun
08-16-2006, 04:57 AM
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2nd gear stiffness: How to make it fun
Even though my 8 is out of action atm, I was taking a shower and thinking about my car and realised that my 2nd gear, like many others, is very hard to slot in at high revs and even at the lower revs, just doesn't feel as 'slotted' as the 2nd to 3rd change.
I drove my mates SP23 and instantly missed the gearbox on the 8. The SP's box is not as slick or quick. I would shift it into 2nd gear or third gear and it would slot in but wouldn't have the same 'snap' as the 8's box, that almost magnetic feel when the stick slots in. I couldn't really tell whether the gear had gone in with the SP.
But on the 8, you've got that slick feeling and this leads me to my point..
For those with sticky 2nd gears, have you ever tried rev matching the downshift from 3rd to 2nd? I don't know if it is just my 8 but when I rev match the gear correctly, the 3rd to 2nd change just glides in as if the box was just drowned in WD-40. (Probabaly something to do with the synchro, I double clutch but the same principle should apply with single clutching I think).
It is an awesome feeling and makes up for the gear being so rough normally. Granted I don't hit that holy grail of gear changes everytime but when you do, the car will reward you with a change slicker than Rick and leave a wide grin on your face as you dump the clutch and overtake those ugly 350z's.
I drove my mates SP23 and instantly missed the gearbox on the 8. The SP's box is not as slick or quick. I would shift it into 2nd gear or third gear and it would slot in but wouldn't have the same 'snap' as the 8's box, that almost magnetic feel when the stick slots in. I couldn't really tell whether the gear had gone in with the SP.
But on the 8, you've got that slick feeling and this leads me to my point..
For those with sticky 2nd gears, have you ever tried rev matching the downshift from 3rd to 2nd? I don't know if it is just my 8 but when I rev match the gear correctly, the 3rd to 2nd change just glides in as if the box was just drowned in WD-40. (Probabaly something to do with the synchro, I double clutch but the same principle should apply with single clutching I think).
It is an awesome feeling and makes up for the gear being so rough normally. Granted I don't hit that holy grail of gear changes everytime but when you do, the car will reward you with a change slicker than Rick and leave a wide grin on your face as you dump the clutch and overtake those ugly 350z's.
08-16-2006, 05:45 AM
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Originally Posted by mogley
.....I was taking a shower and thinking about my car and realised that my 2nd gear.....
....but, back on topic....second gear is notchy in a fair percentage of RX-8's. Mine included. A search will reveal mucho matcho.
08-16-2006, 08:28 AM
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•▫▪› is way, way way way way way way way way wayyy better than you ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ▪ ;)
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mogley, get a short shifter when you get the 8 back 
you'll love shifting a lot more 
you'll love shifting a lot more
08-16-2006, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by mogley
/me desperately trying to stay on topic..
I've always wondered how much better it possibly can be ... Doesn't the shorter throw make it harder to slot the stick in?
I've always wondered how much better it possibly can be ... Doesn't the shorter throw make it harder to slot the stick in?
Now, where were we.....oh yes, here we were:
08-16-2006, 10:18 AM
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08-16-2006, 04:28 PM
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You're a desperado Mez!
Jennifer's a peach...but I have a more vivid imagination in the shower.
Faith will get you out of second gear (but won't help with the stiffness)...
08-16-2006, 05:02 PM
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Dave
More than a BSH Brithish Standard Handfull is a waste i will stick with Jennifer
Never had any problems with gearbox , short shifter even makes it smoother , but i come from the old school of gear changing
More than a BSH Brithish Standard Handfull is a waste i will stick with Jennifer
Never had any problems with gearbox , short shifter even makes it smoother , but i come from the old school of gear changing
08-16-2006, 07:24 PM
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problem is that double declutching takes longer than a normal downshift.
Which sort of defeats the purpose of having a short shift.
And the electronic throttle is slow to react to short sharp throttle jabs.
I used to drive an old alfa romeo with no synchros, it seemed natural to double declutch
going down gears, well i had no choice really.
It doesn't quite gel in this car, in normal driving, but sure is still fun when you are fangin it.
fatmarco
Which sort of defeats the purpose of having a short shift.
And the electronic throttle is slow to react to short sharp throttle jabs.
I used to drive an old alfa romeo with no synchros, it seemed natural to double declutch
going down gears, well i had no choice really.
It doesn't quite gel in this car, in normal driving, but sure is still fun when you are fangin it.
fatmarco
08-16-2006, 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Revolver
Jennifer's a peach...but I have a more vivid imagination in the shower.
Faith will get you out of second gear (but won't help with the stiffness)...
08-16-2006, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by mogley
This thread is no longer work safe.
08-16-2006, 10:40 PM
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I am afraid to scroll up this thread because my boss might be watching.
Thanks for persecuting me from my own thread. :0
Looks like I'll just have to wait till I get home.
Thanks for persecuting me from my own thread. :0
Looks like I'll just have to wait till I get home.
08-16-2006, 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by mogley
I am afraid to scroll up this thread because my boss might be watching.
Thanks for persecuting me from my own thread. :0
Looks like I'll just have to wait till I get home.
Thanks for persecuting me from my own thread. :0
Looks like I'll just have to wait till I get home.
GET BACK TO WORK, MOGLEY!
08-16-2006, 11:59 PM
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Need a Mod to do that......Hymee is busy on his latest project. Nuh, it's fine just the way it is. If anyone wants me to stop posting photos, all they need to do is say so.
Mogley, if you need any info on short shifters or notchy gearboxes, post your questions WHEN YOU GET HOME and we'll address them then, no worries .
Meanwhile, on with the show!:
Mogley, if you need any info on short shifters or notchy gearboxes, post your questions WHEN YOU GET HOME and we'll address them then, no worries
.Meanwhile, on with the show!:
08-17-2006, 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Gomez
You have "a more vivid imagination" than thinking of Miss Universe? You've been hit in the head with that swinging boom a few too many times fella...
Jennifer's cute but she's a little too 'perfect' for me. But since you refuse to cheat on your fantasy girl, I'll join in.
08-17-2006, 12:25 AM
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Hmmmmmm.........
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I for one have this problem since changing gearbox oil to motul 300. I do rev match on the track but it makes sod all difference.
for me on the street 1st to second is just plain old clunky and 2nd to 3rd has its moments.
On the track 3rd to 4th is tug of war unless you double clutch, it just wont go in. 4th to 3rd is just plain scarey as it occasionally misses syncro and has a bit of a clunk and grind. I have been talking to a few others who have similar problems, all seem to have changed gearbox oil to one that is thinner than the factory oil, but within the mazda "allowable" range. We have been talking about trying a different oil to see if it helps.
Cheers
Andrew
PS here si what I think about in the shower
for me on the street 1st to second is just plain old clunky and 2nd to 3rd has its moments.
On the track 3rd to 4th is tug of war unless you double clutch, it just wont go in. 4th to 3rd is just plain scarey as it occasionally misses syncro and has a bit of a clunk and grind. I have been talking to a few others who have similar problems, all seem to have changed gearbox oil to one that is thinner than the factory oil, but within the mazda "allowable" range. We have been talking about trying a different oil to see if it helps.
Cheers
Andrew
PS here si what I think about in the shower
Last edited by auzoom; 08-17-2006 at 12:27 AM.
08-17-2006, 12:28 AM
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Originally Posted by auzoom
I for one have this problem since changing gearbox oil to motul 300. I do rev match on the track but it makes sod all difference.
for me on the street 1st to second is just plain old clunky and 2nd to 3rd has its moments.
On the track 3rd to 4th is tug of war unless you double clutch, it just wont go in. 4th to 3rd is just plain scarey as it occasionally misses syncro and has a bit of a clunk and grind. I have been talking to a few others who have similar problems, all seem to have changed gearbox oil to one that is thinner than the factory oil, but within the mazda "allowable" range. We have been talking about trying a different oil to see if it helps.
Cheers
Andrew
for me on the street 1st to second is just plain old clunky and 2nd to 3rd has its moments.
On the track 3rd to 4th is tug of war unless you double clutch, it just wont go in. 4th to 3rd is just plain scarey as it occasionally misses syncro and has a bit of a clunk and grind. I have been talking to a few others who have similar problems, all seem to have changed gearbox oil to one that is thinner than the factory oil, but within the mazda "allowable" range. We have been talking about trying a different oil to see if it helps.
Cheers
Andrew
Think I'll just stick to whatever Mazda use.