Hi all brothers in the club,
I just got my 05 6sp GT for a week and I have problems with doing a smooth shifts. I have been driving a 2000 accord 5sp for 2 years and then been driving two automatics for 1 year. I thought I know how to drive manual until I got my 8 and I still have problems of shifting it smoothly like I did with my accord. So would appreciate if any bros here could give a hand!

I am usually easy on the car and shift @3500-4500rpm, since the 8's rotary is high rev and it drops pretty quick between shifting, I have to shift very quick in order to get a rather smooth shift. I didn't do rev match when driving my accord (shift @2500-3000rpm) and it was pretty smooth, So do you guys do rev match even when upshifting? (i know downshift definitely requires rev match and I don't plan on doing it until I could upshift smoothly @5000-red line), i tried to search around but there are no topics fits my question, are there any decent sites teaching hwo to drive an 8 or sport manual?

Anyway, the 8 handles great and I love the engine sound, it is totally different from my friend's rx8 05 auto although i still can't handle it quite smooth!

 

You'll find shifting gets much easier if you shift closer to 5000-7000 RPMs. Because like you said, the revs tend to drop fairly quickly when you've got the clutch in. If you're shifting around 3500, you have to either throw the shifter *really* fast, or manipulate the throttle so the revs don't drop too low (causing you to lurch forward). If you instead shift around 5-7K, you'll find that in the time it takes you to move the clutch and shifter, the revs are in place for a smooth match on the upshift when you left off the clutch.

Basically, just practice and find what works for you, and realize that the RX-8's engine and transmission is incredibly different from an Accord.

 

^ uh what?

no. the clutch and throttle are very sensitive, the friction is very small. you have to practice a lot to know exactly where it is. some cars have a large friction point, which makes shifting easy and smooth. and slow. the rx8 has a very small friction point so you can shift and engage very quickly.

 

don't rev-match for upshifts. Just practice shifting smoother and faster, it will feel good if you get it right. The shifting operation is pretty sensitive and precise in the 8, but once you get it, you'll never want to go back to a slow sloppy shifting car!

 

Practice make perfect.

 

+1

I've gotten to a point where I can pretty much pop the clutch and the shifts feel smooth as butter, and the entire process of depressing the clutch, moving to the next gear and releasing the clutch is a single fluid motion. I would say you might want to get a short shifter, but I think you will be better off learning how to shift smoothly with the stock one before "cheating."

I only ever rev match on down shifting, or if I'm in traffic and coasting around 10mph and want to get into first gear

 

One more thing...

Get the Axial Flow Short Shifter

 

I concur. Practice is all you need. Another couple weeks and you'll be used to it and shifting w/o problems. No rev-matching on upshifts. One week isn't always enough time to get familiar.

 

don't worry you'll get used to it with time!

 

Yeah I too shift around 4 - 5k rpms on the street. But in a parking lot I just drive accordingly.

 

This car feels its best when there is some spirit behind your actions - you don't have to be aggressive, but you want to give the car some momentum before you start your shift.

Immediately come off the gas, and into the shift - no shotgun motion required here - just be smooth and gentle. This will take advantage of the short catch point, and you will be able to feel the benefits of the action.

When shifting, you shouldn't need to use your clutch to compensate for the difference between the engine and drive-train much at all - if you find that you are, then either adjust your timing - or give it her a bit more gas before you start your shift. The key is the momentum.

 

thx guys, i will try to shift more smoothly and faster, hopefully i will get use to the 8 soon!

 

try using more wrist than arm when shifting....just give it a nice flick and youll catch the rev drop smoothly every time......theres no need to shove hard....

 

practice, practice, practice

 

Smoothness is more important than speed

Most shifting problems happen from trying to ram it into gear before the synchros have time to work.

Shifting slower usually will result in smoother and faster shifts in the long run

 

Your probably not used to it because you've been driving FWD cars, like the accord. Just keep practicing.

 

http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving...shifting.shtml

this helped me a lot.. i've had many manual transmission cars over the years and this still had a lot of good new info for me who thought i had the art of shifting down pat..

 

^^ thanks for that link, very helpful!

 

I thought the car shifted rough when I first got mine, but found out it was the same with my friends s2k, it just feels more direct since your shifting directly at the tranny. You'll like it more once you get the hang of it. I give it a tiny blip when upshifting at low rpms.

 

My friend once have the same scenario & experience as you. I also checked out bigireland's link myself & I could really say that's it's very helpful in a way.

 

I tend to keep my RPM's between 3 and 4k for normal driving and shift points but out of all of the manual cars I've owned I really think the 8 is the easiest to drive IMO.

It does not "buck" at lower RPM's and the 1st gear take offs are very easy to modulate.
The clutch is light but with good feedback to feel when it's grabbing and because the engine is so smooth I think they work well together.

As most here have already said, you will get use to it.

 

Don't get discouraged, I had the same problem when I first got my 8. I learned to drive stick in a WRX with a short shifter. I was pretty good at it but when I got my 8 I felt like a tard because of how rough I was when shifting. The best thing I could suggest is to practice shifting slowly in a parking lot and focus on the friction point and play around with shifting a different rpms. I won't be long before you figure out what the car likes!

 

Just get a 100 bucks and go out driving after 2 or 3 tanks of gas(100 bucks) you should be able to do it pretty well...of course don't just cruise the interstate go backroads and "play" while you learn.....

Practice makes perfect like said above

 

You guys do realize the last post in this thread was over a year ago?

Nice thread necromancy dude. I hope he figured out how to shift by now