The 1st and 2nd gear ratios in a 6mt are quite far apart which makes it hard for me to rev match properly when upshifting. It feels like I have to wait an eternity(compared to the other gears) for the revs to drop down to the proper level before engaging 2nd gear. I am getting quite annoyed with this because its so hard to smoothly shift from 1st to 2nd gear when just driving on the street. Also, even if I want to accelerate quickly; I cannot because I have to wait so long before engaging 2nd gear. FYI, I have the stock flywheel/clutch. I just wanna know if anyone else experiences this when driving a 6mt.

 

Yes, you aren't alone.

I think I found the sweet spot for the 1st to 2nd shift to be smooth (refering to engaging the gear). When I start off on the 1st gear I do a quick acceleration and quickly shift into the 2nd. I don't need to go into high rpm, staying in the 2-3k range works, I just find that getting the rpm up quickly as opposed to gradually results in a much better smoother 1st to 2nd.

Initially my reaction to the notchy shifting was to accelerate in 1st gear slower and then to shift into 2nd also slower but it didn't work out well, probably only made the shifting worse. My shifts are much more consistent with quick/short burst in 1st and then shift into 2nd.

I hated the transmission but now it's not that bad.

Also, the more the process is over thought the worse the shifting will be. You want the whole thing to become 2nd nature and then the shifting will become better.

 

yea shifting sooner will make it smoother like below 2k. also i noticed if u shift 1st ->neutral ->2nd helps too vs shifting from 1st right into 2nd.

 

See, I find it that it's not the rpm that matters so much as how you get to it and how long you keep the engine there. If I get to 2500 rpm in 1st and hold it there for a few seconds and then shift into 2nd I'm almost certain to have a rough shift. If on the other hand I get 2500 rpm without staying there and shift fast but not necessarily agressive into the 2nd gear it will be fine.

Doing neutral in between will work but you shouldn't have to do that; in the end you're just avoiding getting used to the car/tranny and driving it properly. That's my opinion.

Oh yeah, the other thing is, the more you look at the actual RPM the less natural it becomes. I'll have a peak at it once in awhile but otherwise get used to shifting by the feel of the car and the engine sound, it will be much more natural as opposed to a step-by-step process.