I am so tired of the shift shock from second gear. You know you shift from first to second, and unless you synchronize it perfectly, it slams you back and forth. How can I help that? I drove a bmw 540i, 6 speed and it was such a joy. I just put it in second, let go of the clutch, and it is so smooth.
I know it is a fairly large engine, and that causes some shift shock, but it shouldn't be this bad.
What do you guys think will help? I'm thinking of getting rid of the max because of that, I drive through a lot of traffic, and it drives me crazy.
Thanks a lot

 

Are you talking about under hard accelleration? Maybe you're waiting too long for your shift point (?) You shouldn't run 1st gear (or any gear for that matter) to redline for optimal accelleration. Even if I'm going for broke, I'll shift from 1-2 at no more than 5,500 rpm. (Stock induction, stock exhaust). Beyond that, the engine just starts to get "winded" and will cause your shift point to be rougher as well.

I haven't driven the 'bimmer as a basis for comparison & maybe I shouldn't, as I haven't had a problem in this regard w/ my own '95 5-speed. The Max's tranny & clutch can be more finicky than others' (and that's something it has received criticism for), but maybe that's just something one has to learn to work around. . .

". . .If they could build a washing-machine that could fly, my Jimmy could land it."

-Jim Lovell's Mom, "Apollo XIII"

Know what I mean? Because a machine is not as user friendly as possible, does not make it inherently a "bad" machine. Don't take this as a flame, but sometimes it's the technique of the user, not the machine, that requires refinement.

If you do buy that 'bimmer, maybe sign up for a Skip Barber racing clinic, too. Worth every penny & will give you stories for years.



"May you find the answers you seek. . ."

P.S: If I spent more than 50% of my time in traffic, I would seriously have to consider an autotragic. Fortunately, I'm below 20%.

 

You need to release the clutch a bit slower to relieve that. Also if you leave a redlight as if your racing all the time just chill with that and save it when you really are racing, you running your RPMs too high and your waiting too long to shift to 2nd gear as well. , shift a bit quicker if you cant chill.

 

You might want to evaluate your shifting technique. I've been driving sticks for 10 years now, and I don't think I've done a kangaroo shift in the last 9... Try letting off the clutch a little more slowly, and have more confidence with putting the gas on smoothly as you transistion from clutch through the bite to the gas. The more smoothly you do that the better. Make sure you're taking your foot off the gas during the change up - the amount of time it takes you to shift should coincide with the amount of time it takes thes engine revs to drop the 1.5k rpm difference between 1st and 2nd. If you gas it while you're on the clutch then the revs will be way off and letting off the clutch too sharply will make for a rough ride. When I was first learning to drive stick the guy who taught me noticed that I was paranoid that once I went from gas to clutch that the car would stop immediately, so my gearchanges were very fast. He told me to calm down and let the shift take abount one second - that made my shifting much more smooth. It still takes practice, and every car is different. You own car is different as the clutch goes through it's life... It starts off razor sharp but then softens until the clutch eventual fails by starting to slip and is replaced - at which point it suddenly gets razor sharp again...

If all else fails, have a Nissan mech who OWNS a stick drive it - he can tell you if the clutch is bad or if it's ok...

Good luck!

 

sounds like your gunning the gas when your foot is still on the clutch.....does that sound familiar too you/???

 

like everyone else is saying, chill out. you arent at daytona

 

It's just a timing thing. Obviously, you've made smooth 1->2 shifts before, I'd hope. Try different shifting techniques/positions to see what you're most comfortable with. Personally, I'm not a big fan of how hydraulic clutches lack the feel of the old cables, and as such I still bog/botch a slip here and there.

In the maxi, I've always felt that the best way for me to do the 1->2 shift is to use my shifting hand in the following manner: put the hand palms-up, and then turn it 90 degrees to the right. I'm not sure if most people are this flexible or not, but with my hand in this position, I can close my fingers and "flick" the **** down easily. This also works the best for all the other shifts up to 4->5 for me. People riding with me think I'm weird when they see me do it though For some reason, using this, I can time my feet a little better on the 1->2.

 

Maybe you should be driving an Automagic!