Car Talk!

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

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?

Actually, the guy is hispanic and does not look anything like a muscle car meathead.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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....

Now if I slam it into second, and stay on the gas, it will spin the tires partially through second gear. That means the RPMs won't drop, but it sure does make a much harder jerking motion

[RobRich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Now take that US-19 experience, but instead put yourself in a first-generation Eagle Talon with a mild body kit. I get considerable positive feedback for the condition and look of my Talon, but occasionally I get someone wanting to burn it off a red light. Yeah, what I am supposed to do off with maybe ~150HP off the line?

At least I can bluff with the Sable wagon. Simply step on the accelerator to open up the exhaust, and the sound is loud enough and low enough to at least potentially make someone think twice before attempting to provoking me. "Hey, is that a SHO V8 in your wagon?" Better yet, let them hear it at 5700RPM under load.

[The Real Bingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizkitkid2001

First to second for me is usually a bit jerking, mainly because I shift faster than the revs drop. So by the time I already have second gear selected and ready to raise the clutch, the rpms are still falling to the matching speed. If I let up off the clutch while its still falling, there is a jerk as the engine speed drops faster once the transmission catches.


Is this really a bad thing? This is what my cooworker mainly complains about when he says jerky shifting, and why I should only do the clutch halfway since it will bring the engine rpm down quicker before I acutally shift into second gear.


Should I just try to shift a tad slower? I find it hard to do this as when I shift this car I am in a sporty mood and just like to get my shifts quicker. Going from second to third, or any higher gear does not have the same problem as the difference in the engine RPM between other gears isn't as big as first to second, so the engine rpm does not have to drop as much.



I never had this "jerking" with my old Mazda b2600i so I am wondering if it is my driving style or just that its a much tighter sportier drivetrain so small jerks and bumps are felt more.

The Mustang is a clunking heap. The driveshaft is two-piece and weighs a ton...it's the way it is for NVH stuff, but it really sucks when loafing around town. If I let out the clutch too fast while going slow, it herks and jerks big time...I gotta slip it a little if I want to stay smooth. They have one-piece driveshafts out there, which are really nice, but I don't know if I want to go that route yet.

[RobRich]

Bingo, if concerned about wear, you could try double clutching it while performing a rev match between the two clutch engagements. It takes a little more effort, but it can help smooth out gear changes as you are are essentially manually taking care of much of the synchro process.

[Gomer]

My girlfriend's mom has the same car as Biz... She drives it pretty aggressively and I've never noticed rough shifts. Next time we go for a ride, I'll ask her what her secret is!

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomer

My girlfriend's mom has the same car as Biz... She drives it pretty aggressively and I've never noticed rough shifts. Next time we go for a ride, I'll ask her what her secret is!

Also ask her how she shifts depending on if she is being agressive or just crusing around town.

[RobRich]

Gomer, there is aggressive, then there is AGGRESSIVE. From what I can gather, Biz likely drives it like he stole it.

Biz, it could also be clutch wear creating the issue due to poor friction coupling when slippage is occuring. Perhaps even a mild synchro issue. However, assuming it is grabbing gears effectively, ignore it IMO.

[Gomer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

Gomer, there is aggressive, then there is AGGRESSIVE. From what I can gather, Biz likely drives it like he stole it.

I've no doubt he drives it worse than that even!!! =)

But she's driven it aggressive enough to make my knuckles turn white! She's got the Shinka too which I think has improved handling characteristics over the stock RX8.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomer

I've no doubt he drives it worse than that even!!! =)

But she's driven it aggressive enough to make my knuckles turn white! She's got the Shinka too which I think has improved handling characteristics over the stock RX8.

I wish I had the Shinka edition. But I couldn't justify the extra $6 grand I would of had to drop to get a low mileage used one.



The Shinka has awsome looks (from the body kit) stiffer chassis, more tuned suspension, Alcantara seats, and awsome looking rims. I am jealous




While I do drive it agressively, I don't drive it like I stole it often as I don't want to break anything.