Newbie MN6 Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville MN
Newbie MN6 Question
Let me start off by saying I've had my 04 Red/Blk/Blk convertible for about 10 days now and I am loving it. I've never owned a car more "sporty" than a Toyota Celica before so I feel like I am finally in the major leagues. That leads to my question.
The only manual transmissions I have owned have been little 4 cylinder cars, and I haven't owned one for about ten years now, so maybe I am just a little rusty. I sometimes find that I shift gears very smoothly but other times my shifts seem to feel very notchy, especially 3-4. The gears never grind so I don't think it's an issue with the transmission or the clutch, it seems to be in the shift mechanism itself. It also does not seem to be speed or RPM related. I know people have replaced the factory with Hurst, etc but looking through the posts I couldn't tell if it was for this reason or because of the long throws.
So is this just kind of the nature of the beast or is there some trick that I don't know to make the shifts smoother?
Thanks in advance everyone.
The only manual transmissions I have owned have been little 4 cylinder cars, and I haven't owned one for about ten years now, so maybe I am just a little rusty. I sometimes find that I shift gears very smoothly but other times my shifts seem to feel very notchy, especially 3-4. The gears never grind so I don't think it's an issue with the transmission or the clutch, it seems to be in the shift mechanism itself. It also does not seem to be speed or RPM related. I know people have replaced the factory with Hurst, etc but looking through the posts I couldn't tell if it was for this reason or because of the long throws.
So is this just kind of the nature of the beast or is there some trick that I don't know to make the shifts smoother?
Thanks in advance everyone.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Manchester NH
Shifting can be "sticky" sometimes from my experince.
1) You will get used to it.
2) I would get a after market shifter. Its a much better shifting experince for the money. I have a Kirban shifter and love it.
1) You will get used to it.
2) I would get a after market shifter. Its a much better shifting experince for the money. I have a Kirban shifter and love it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
I had a Hurst shifter installed because I kept missing third gear at the track. The stock shifter has a very rubbery feel to it.. Very easy to miss shift. The Hurst shifter is by far the best $150 I've spent on my car.
Mark
Mark
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 0
From: Maumelle AR
I know this is probably too obvious, are you sure you are fully depressing the clutch? The reason I ask, when I was at Bragg-Smith driving school, I found myself occasionally distracted (like turn 3!!) and I would have problems shifting. It turned out I was not getting the clutch fully released. Just a thought. I've driven aftermarkets with a good shifter and it does make a world of difference, as was said above.
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville MN
Originally Posted by johninar
I know this is probably too obvious, are you sure you are fully depressing the clutch?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 40
From: Hemet CA
The Hurst shifter is a definite improvement over stock. Lots of info and choices for shifters. I like my Hurst with the soft inner spring installed and two turns in on the adjuster.
I experienced a BIG improvement after changing the trans fluid to Redline D4 ATF. The synchro binding that was there before is GONE! I've had my 01 Coupe since April, so I don't really know how old or what type of ATF was in there before. Whether you choose Redline or AMSOIL or Mobil1, a trans oil change is a great start!
Have fun...Bill
I experienced a BIG improvement after changing the trans fluid to Redline D4 ATF. The synchro binding that was there before is GONE! I've had my 01 Coupe since April, so I don't really know how old or what type of ATF was in there before. Whether you choose Redline or AMSOIL or Mobil1, a trans oil change is a great start!
Have fun...Bill
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
I installed a Hurst Shifter mainly because of the shorter throw. I like the way it shifts, 2-3 shift is straight up and when the shifter is in Neutral it is centered in the 3-4 shift.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Yes, the stock shifter is notchy. I drove my bosses 911 with a short shifter and it was silky smooth (but he paid over 2 times more for that car).
I replaced my tranny fluid with Redline D4ATF Synthetic and it helped a little - stock fluid is not synthetic, it's Dexron III.
I replaced my tranny fluid with Redline D4ATF Synthetic and it helped a little - stock fluid is not synthetic, it's Dexron III.
