Shifting techniques
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Shifting techniques
Hey guys...this is my first post. But by no means am I new to this site. I was once on the waiting list for a WRX back in 2001, when I sold my turbo charged Civic, which was all tricked out with JDM parts. Ive been collecting pennies for so long that I finally got a 03 WRX a week ago. I feel that I know this car inside out and I can't wait to start modding the hell out of this beast.
But then theres this problem. For the life of me I feel like I am new-b when it comes to shifting. Has it been that long or does the tranny leave no room for error.
Im still in the break in period...so im hoping the clutch softens up. I was just wondering about your guys' thoughts and tips on how you control this monster.
I noticed that the car will not go into first at all if its not at a complete stop.
The fact that its AWD does that make it harder to downshift and launch?
When slowing down to a stop and im in fourth I double clutch to third but never get to second. What do you guys do? Do you guys downshift at all?
Once I get to a complete stop and the last gear i was in was third. Is it ok to shift straight into first or should i shift in to second with the clutch all the way down for the hell of it and then into first to begin moving?
When making a right hand turn, do you guys downshift into second when entering the turn? or do you coast in third and into second after exiting the turn?
On a hill, is it bad for the tranny if you hold the car with the gas and clutch?
It drives me crazy the way i currently drive this car. I know i will learn these tricks over time, but the sooner the better.
Thanks in advance for all of your input..............
But then theres this problem. For the life of me I feel like I am new-b when it comes to shifting. Has it been that long or does the tranny leave no room for error.
Im still in the break in period...so im hoping the clutch softens up. I was just wondering about your guys' thoughts and tips on how you control this monster.
I noticed that the car will not go into first at all if its not at a complete stop.
The fact that its AWD does that make it harder to downshift and launch?
When slowing down to a stop and im in fourth I double clutch to third but never get to second. What do you guys do? Do you guys downshift at all?
Once I get to a complete stop and the last gear i was in was third. Is it ok to shift straight into first or should i shift in to second with the clutch all the way down for the hell of it and then into first to begin moving?
When making a right hand turn, do you guys downshift into second when entering the turn? or do you coast in third and into second after exiting the turn?
On a hill, is it bad for the tranny if you hold the car with the gas and clutch?
It drives me crazy the way i currently drive this car. I know i will learn these tricks over time, but the sooner the better.
Thanks in advance for all of your input..............
Guest
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Just getting used to having an AWD then I take it? The TOB probably has a softer feel to it then your used to since it uses a pull style TOB instead of the old push style which has better pedal pressure feel. The Subaru transmissions do seem a bit notchy but you should get used to it pretty quickly.
1)I noticed that the car will not go into first at all if its not at a complete stop.
pretty much how it goes, you can rev-match to get it in gear, but its not really necessary to be in first unless at a complete stop
2)The fact that its AWD does that make it harder to downshift and launch?
yup
3)When slowing down to a stop and im in fourth I double clutch to third but never get to second. What do you guys do? Do you guys downshift at all?
i rev-match and downshift every gear(except of course 1st), seems to work fine. maybe you are down shifting too late?
4)Once I get to a complete stop and the last gear i was in was third. Is it ok to shift straight into first or should i shift in to second with the clutch all the way down for the hell of it and then into first to begin moving?
it is fine to just put it in 1st
5)When making a right hand turn, do you guys downshift into second when entering the turn? or do you coast in third and into second after exiting the turn?
depends on at what speed and what driving conditions and what my attitude is entering the corner.
6)On a hill, is it bad for the tranny if you hold the car with the gas and clutch?
yeah, it wears down the clutch.
hope i helped a bit. and the subarus are hard to drive smoothly, just practice practice practice
pretty much how it goes, you can rev-match to get it in gear, but its not really necessary to be in first unless at a complete stop
2)The fact that its AWD does that make it harder to downshift and launch?
yup
3)When slowing down to a stop and im in fourth I double clutch to third but never get to second. What do you guys do? Do you guys downshift at all?
i rev-match and downshift every gear(except of course 1st), seems to work fine. maybe you are down shifting too late?
4)Once I get to a complete stop and the last gear i was in was third. Is it ok to shift straight into first or should i shift in to second with the clutch all the way down for the hell of it and then into first to begin moving?
it is fine to just put it in 1st
5)When making a right hand turn, do you guys downshift into second when entering the turn? or do you coast in third and into second after exiting the turn?
depends on at what speed and what driving conditions and what my attitude is entering the corner.
6)On a hill, is it bad for the tranny if you hold the car with the gas and clutch?
yeah, it wears down the clutch.
hope i helped a bit. and the subarus are hard to drive smoothly, just practice practice practice
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 175
well if your in 4th and coming to a stop you probably want to just put it in neutral and just use the brakes... its harder on the brakes but hey its much easier changing your brake than it is droppin your tranny to put in a new clutch.
and shifting is not crisp due to the retarded gear ratios. if you take a look at em, they are very far apart... execpt 2-3. just get used to it... i found that ive been slippin the clutch to get it smooth.
and shifting is not crisp due to the retarded gear ratios. if you take a look at em, they are very far apart... execpt 2-3. just get used to it... i found that ive been slippin the clutch to get it smooth.
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From: your friendly neighborhood hairpin
Car Info: '03 PSM Sedan
i found that ive been slippin the clutch to get it smooth.
on a side note, there are times when i have to downshift into 1st for a corner, and you have to get the revs perfect, or it won't go into gear.
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Does anyone "speed shift" the manual? I have a friend who does this successfully [no gear grinding] on every manual tranny vehicle he has ever owned. He does not own a subaru.
He says that it is easy [once you know RPM shifting points] to speed shift any syncronized tranny vehicle.
I am just curious if it would be possible in the WRX, and then if it would be suicide for the tranny.
There are times when I loss lots of rpms and/or speed having to clutch to shift, and how about when you are racing someone, just shifting on the fly, without clutching to reduce your speed, and the shock of the clutch contact after you shift, he really got me wondering if it was possible in the WRX.
He says that it is easy [once you know RPM shifting points] to speed shift any syncronized tranny vehicle.
I am just curious if it would be possible in the WRX, and then if it would be suicide for the tranny.
There are times when I loss lots of rpms and/or speed having to clutch to shift, and how about when you are racing someone, just shifting on the fly, without clutching to reduce your speed, and the shock of the clutch contact after you shift, he really got me wondering if it was possible in the WRX.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,518
From: Bay Area
Car Info: 2004 Black WRX wagon
oh man.. shifting @ redline(race mode 
) is pretty harsh. i mean, i learned how to drive stick on my brand new rex, but after a while, i've gotten the hang of it. Around town, i can drive it smoothly. My only problem is going from 1 to 2nd quickly. i always get a thump. 
anyhoo... around turns, i usually keep it in 3rd, then down to 2nd. It's probably because i'm not a confident driver and i have to focus all my attention on looking around the turn. Plus, i'm affraid i'll mess up and somehow it'll cause me to go into a wall. wow, you guys must think i suck. haha.
anyhoo..1st gear is kind of a punk. It's rather hard to get into. when i first got the car, i couldn't get into first gear unless i was stopped. Now, i double clutch it in. Don't force it... Seems like you could, but i've heard horror stories about people breaking first gear.
) is pretty harsh. i mean, i learned how to drive stick on my brand new rex, but after a while, i've gotten the hang of it. Around town, i can drive it smoothly. My only problem is going from 1 to 2nd quickly. i always get a thump. anyhoo... around turns, i usually keep it in 3rd, then down to 2nd. It's probably because i'm not a confident driver and i have to focus all my attention on looking around the turn. Plus, i'm affraid i'll mess up and somehow it'll cause me to go into a wall. wow, you guys must think i suck. haha.
anyhoo..1st gear is kind of a punk. It's rather hard to get into. when i first got the car, i couldn't get into first gear unless i was stopped. Now, i double clutch it in. Don't force it... Seems like you could, but i've heard horror stories about people breaking first gear.
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First of all, it's my understanding (perhaps flawed) that the WRX has no synchromesh for 1st gear. THAT'S why it's so hard to downshift into it - you have to match revs perfectly for it to work.
Regarding "speed shifting" - you can perform a 1-2, 2-3 & 4-5 shift in less than 0.25 sec if you shift just outside of peak power - approximately 6200 rpm (if you take it up to redline, you'll actually be slower - since the next gear up (2 & 3) are right in the middle of there powerband.
And, since nobody asked... It is easy to burn/slip the clutch - 4WD & 227+ hp will do that to you. However, the best launches are by dropping the clutch from 4800-5200 rpm - the wheels chirp, and you hang on to the steering wheel. Any lower, and it'll bog. Any higher, and you risk slipping/burning.
Do I get any change for my 2¢?
Regarding "speed shifting" - you can perform a 1-2, 2-3 & 4-5 shift in less than 0.25 sec if you shift just outside of peak power - approximately 6200 rpm (if you take it up to redline, you'll actually be slower - since the next gear up (2 & 3) are right in the middle of there powerband.
And, since nobody asked... It is easy to burn/slip the clutch - 4WD & 227+ hp will do that to you. However, the best launches are by dropping the clutch from 4800-5200 rpm - the wheels chirp, and you hang on to the steering wheel. Any lower, and it'll bog. Any higher, and you risk slipping/burning.
Do I get any change for my 2¢?
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