Car Talk!

[SoloCamo]

You've got a sports car, Biz. You are a young, spirited driver, and you are in the right car for it. My old '87 Comanche had the 5-speed, and I've got say, it was rare for me to have a truly smooth 1-2 upshift, simply because of my driving style. Also, it seemed the slower you shifted in that old 180k mile original peugot BA/10 tranny the more it "bucked".

But like I said the bottom line is you are driving it like a sport car.

[RobRich]

If he is complaining about that type of shifting, then he needs to get over it. Your first is geared rather low to offset the torque curve of your rotary.

If you want to somewhat smooth out the change, try shifting earlier from first to second. Otherwise, I don't see much of a problem.

[RobRich]

BTW, the guy probably wouldn't like my Talon at 6500+ RPM gear changes, and it has an automatic trans.

Sounds like he favors driving stock low-power econoboxes when referencing a manual trans. Perhaps he is used to a low-torque drivetrain paired with a manual trans, like found in a typical base-model Honda Civic.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

If he is complaining about that type of shifting, then he needs to get over it. Your first is geared rather low to offset the torque curve of your rotary.

If you want to somewhat smooth out the change, try shifting earlier from first to second. Otherwise, I don't see much of a problem.

I can get it to shift smooth if I take it easy, but then my coworker complains that I shouldn't be driving like a granny if I bought a sports car.


Oh well, I guess I won't win against him, I should just agree and tell him that I'll fix anything that breaks from my "jerky" shifting.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

BTW, the guy probably wouldn't like my Talon at 6500+ RPM gear changes, and it has an automatic trans.

Sounds like he favors driving stock low-power econoboxes when referencing a manual trans. Perhaps he is used to a low-torque drivetrain paired with a manual trans, like found in a typical base-model Honda Civic.

Actually, all of his cars are automatics, and he said that its been years since he ever drove a manual, and it was some kind of classic muscle car he had back in the 80s, I forgot what he said it was. But he raves how he use to race is old big block V8 muscle car and made it smooth shifter than an automatic.


He currently drives a Ford Taurus, Impala SS, and a 96 Ford Thunderbird with teh 4.6l. All autos.

[SoloCamo]

So the other day I was at a light on 19 and this guy revved his stang and looked over as if I was in some effin corvette. Light turns green, he guns it roasting em, and I drive like normal. I don't know if the Jeep just looks mean and fast for an 80's Jeep (well actually, I can vouch for that, quite the mean, sexy look on it) or if this guy just wanted to race and show off his fox-body with a easy kill.

Definitely wasn't stock though...and although I would have gotten raped by the thing, testosterone was telling me to gun it. I suppose some bad memories from 2004 reminded me of what can happen and that slammed that idea down fast. Also the whole breaking parts when you can't afford to fix them thing.

[RobRich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizkitkid2001

Oh well, I guess I won't win against him, I should just agree and tell him that I'll fix anything that breaks from my "jerky" shifting.

Technical response. With the clutch only partially engaged, the flywheel and clutch disc are rotating at different rates. Power is being transfered via slippage, meaning the gear change might feel somewhat smoother, but the varying velocity between the two partially coupled surfaces can incur friction wear.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

Technical response. With the clutch only partially engaged, the flywheel and clutch disc are rotating at different rates. Power is being transfered via slippage, meaning the gear change might feel somewhat smoother, but the varying velocity between the two partially coupled surfaces can incur friction wear.

Thanks, that is a much better explanation than me just telling him that it causes clutch wear. At least now I have a technical explanation that I can tell him.


Thanks Rob

[RobRich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizkitkid2001

But he raves how he use to race is old big block V8 muscle car and made it smooth shifter than an automatic.

Possibly, though tell him to think about the torque curve difference, then tell him to actually look at the transmission in your RX-8. It is not a huge Borg Warner or Tremec built from the factory to withstand 400 foot pound of torque. Instead, it is built to be lightweight and to match the high RPM power distribution curve of your rotary engine.

Does the guy have a mullet as well?

[fourthbean]

Biz, I have the same problem with the tranny bringing the engine rpm's down when changing gears. And I drive a 100HP econobox . My 1st to 2nd is usually pretty bumpy as I try not to waste any time shifting. What you are explaining is exactly what I experience, which is partly why if I am starting from a slightly downhill slope or my car is moving any at all I just use 2nd gear and skip 1st altogether.

I never had that problem in my '63 chevy, probably cause it took about a second to get the gear shifter to the next position....