Please test my theory to achieve smooth shifts.

SDAlexander8 said:

It’s not about giving it a set amount of time, it’s all about matching the speed of the engine to the speed of the transmission. Understanding this and general memorization of what rpm you should be at in a certain gear at the speed you are traveling. Memorizing every line of a spreadsheet of these values isn’t required, but after enough practice and seat time you should be able to take a quick glance at the tach/speedo and confidently know where you need to be.

And when you get to that level of understanding your transmission, it is an extremely empowering feeling, and your confidence behind the wheel goes through the roof.

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However, here's a spreadsheet if you do want to memorize what speed you will be traveling in MPH at every 100 RPM increment for each gear assuming you are running an OEM tire size.

si_well said:

However, here's a spreadsheet if you do want to memorize what speed you will be traveling in MPH at every 100 RPM increment for each gear assuming you are running an OEM tire size.

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Thanks for this, been waiting for someone to post a spreadsheet

I've been driving this car for nearly a year now and I still feel like a god damn noob when it comes to shifting in this thing. One day it's perfect, the next day I'm galloping like a newborn pony. And I have a pretty good understanding on when to shift and when to downshift at the proper RPM range, etc etc etc. Just feels like the clutch is inconsistent.

I've noticed on some days, rev-hang disabled shifts way better and other days rev-hang enabled is better but regardless, he has a point. "slow" release of the clutch helps significantly in keeping things smooth. The issue is that you have to do it quick enough that you're not bogging/lunging the car and not too slow to the point that you're essentially slipping the clutch excessively while accelerating.

SDAlexander8 said:

It’s not about giving it a set amount of time, it’s all about matching the speed of the engine to the speed of the transmission. Understanding this and general memorization of what rpm you should be at in a certain gear at the speed you are traveling. Memorizing every line of a spreadsheet of these values isn’t required, but after enough practice and seat time you should be able to take a quick glance at the tach/speedo and confidently know where you need to be.

And when you get to that level of understanding your transmission, it is an extremely empowering feeling, and your confidence behind the wheel goes through the roof.

Click to expand...

I understand perfectly.. I've been doing project cars since the late 80's. I was just pointing out that what the OP was crediting to doing this or that ... it was likely just the TIME he was taking to do it that was helping...not the act itself.

BTW- understanding and confidence comes in when you don't have to look at anything but the road in front of you and still be able to finesse all areas of driving engagement.

SDAlexander8 said:

Thanks for this, been waiting for someone to post a spreadsheet

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No problem. After my thread I started about best practices to drive a manual where we were talking about formulas for rev matching I decided I was going to do a spreadsheet to figure it out and I threw it together yesterday during some downtime at work. The actual file is a little more complex but has more tables and charts if anyone is interested in it.

Syntek said:

I've been driving this car for nearly a year now and I still feel like a god damn noob when it comes to shifting in this thing. One day it's perfect, the next day I'm galloping like a newborn pony. And I have a pretty good understanding on when to shift and when to downshift at the proper RPM range, etc etc etc. Just feels like the clutch is inconsistent.

I've noticed on some days, rev-hang disabled shifts way better and other days rev-hang enabled is better but regardless, he has a point. "slow" release of the clutch helps significantly in keeping things smooth. The issue is that you have to do it quick enough that you're not bogging/lunging the car and not too slow to the point that you're essentially slipping the clutch excessively while accelerating.

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I have the same experience... some days I can shift the car like a pro... some days I'm shifting like complete ass. I've noticed having the A/C on or off makes a big difference...

Thanks all. Some additional points. Agree... driving with a spreadsheet is NOT what this is about. I am 53 and can finesse any manual automobile... Except for this one!!! LOL... I do think being older hurts me with today s tech and I take no offense. I am 13 years from reg retirement so I am not a member. As a traditional driver of the old days you snap the clutch with confidence down and then finesse it into gear by feathering the clutch upward. I appreciate the info about TIME. Slowing down a step slows down the entire process from start to finish. I get that. Is it TIME or is it something with the electronics that effects the shift. I don't know ... Has any one tried this with an open mind? Post findings here!

COOL COUPE said:

Thanks all. Some additional points. Agree... driving with a spreadsheet is NOT what this is about. I am 53 and can finesse any manual automobile... Except for this one!!! LOL... I do think being older hurts me with today s tech and I take no offense. I am 13 years from reg retirement so I am not a member. As a traditional driver of the old days you snap the clutch with confidence down and then finesse it into gear by feathering the clutch upward. I appreciate the info about TIME. Slowing down a step slows down the entire process from start to finish. I get that. Is it TIME or is it something with the electronics that effects the shift. I don't know ... Has any one tried this with an open mind? Post findings here!

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sorry for the misunderstanding. It is a very finicky car, but it’s still a blast to drive.

Everyone is apologizing in this thread ... LOL ... It's. Totally fine. We are all on the same page and team!

This is my first manual car in years. My first car was a 2008 Civic 5 speed and that thing was a lemon. Didn’t last 2 months. So I learned a lot on this one.

For myself, manual was super easy to pick up again (like riding a bike), haven’t stalled once except for when I accidentally let my foot slip off the clutch when I was adjusting my seat (scared the s**t out of me, thought someone rear ended me lol).

My issue that I’m still working on is my 1-2 shift and trying to make my downshifts a bit smoother in lower gears. I’m pretty much good with 2-6 and 6-3 downshifts. Starting out from a stop is pretty good, but I get the odd shake once in a while.

The thing I learned is that the clutch is sensitive, at least it is to myself. I don’t dump it when shifting, but I press it in like I normally do, and when getting ready to go into next gear, I slowly release it to about halfway where the biting point is, then that’s when I gradually press the gas while releasing the clutch the rest of the way at a slow pace. Usually for myself, this results in butter smooth shifts. HOWEVER, I only just discovered this recently so I’m still trying to get the hang of it.

Just practice and you’ll get it. If I’m not doing anything and I got time to kill, I’ll go out and practice for about half an hour. Plus it gives me an excuse to drive it

I really wish I could sit in the car with someone who keeps crying about shifting. I find my Si to shift smoothly effortlessly and I'm no gambling man but I'd be willing to bet its less of a transmission thing and more of a driver thing.

Are you people all shifting like you're trying to win a race?

REBELXSi said:

I really wish I could sit in the car with someone who keeps crying about shifting. I find my Si to shift smoothly effortlessly and I'm no gambling man but I'd be willing to bet its less of a transmission thing and more of a driver thing.

Are you people all shifting like you're trying to win a race?

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I feel like a lot of new manual drivers watch movies like fast and furious and expect similar results. Thing is, reality is much more different. Wish that people would stop dumping clutches, I’ve seen friends doing that for years and it’s painful to watch.

SDAlexander8 said:

What you are describing is manual shifting 101. Before you shift, your engine input and transmission speeds are the same. When you upshift, that new gear you select on the transmission is spinning slower than the previous gear was, so you need to wait for your engine to slow down to that new speed.

It sounds like you’ve figured out that you can partially engage the clutch to cause drag and force the engine RPMs to drop faster and engage the flywheel more smoothly.

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This ^ 100%. My SI is my first manual car, but I've learned to release the clutch slowly, and give it a bit of time between 1-2 and 2-3 for the revs to fall and the gears to line up before I release my left foot. My shifts aren't perfect butter, but I don't expect that shifting without feeling any sort of movement is a realistic goal to have in a manual car, especially this one.

When you learn what is actually happening when you press your left foot in (and release it), everything the OP described is pretty much common sense.

cafecito820 said:

This ^ 100%. My SI is my first manual car, but I've learned to release the clutch slowly, and give it a bit of time between 1-2 and 2-3 for the revs to fall and the gears to line up before I release my left foot. My shifts aren't perfect butter, but I don't expect that shifting without feeling any sort of movement is a realistic goal to have in a manual car, especially this one.

When you learn what is actually happening when you press your left foot in (and release it), everything the OP described is pretty much common sense.

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I find that I have to let the revs drop quite a bit, almost as much as 800-1000 rpm before I can shift smoothly in those gears. It just depends on the day. All in all, just keep practicing and eventually it’ll be more smooth than not. No matter how many years under our belts were always going to have s**t days with our gearboxes due to our error. None of us are perfect

Clutch drivin since 1968.
When I had my hatch, I had the hardest time getting smooth shifts. Clutch delay valve, dual mass flywheel, and I believe the tune were the culprits.
Regarding the tune there were all kinds of torque spikes causing a jerky feeling sometimes.

My SI shifts almost perfectly smooth, except fo the CDV, which is very noticeable, the flywheel I don't know. The tune on the si delivers the TQ very smooth compared to the hatch.

I have found that shifting out of first early gives some smoother shifts.