xviper

There is also another theory ..............................
It's not how fast your shift. It's how you shift fast.

spa-zz

I'll agree with that 100% xviper. Technique plays a huge part in it.

RED MX5

[QUOTE=xviper,Dec 17 2005, 07:07 PM]There is also another theory ..............................
It's not how fast your shift.

RED MX5

This is about as fast as I ever shift.

xviper

I think we need to pause for a moment and clarify a couple of things. When we shift "fast", why are we doing it? Under what circumstances are we doing it? If we're just puttin' down to the corner store and shifting at a sedate 3000 to 4000 rpm, are we shifting "fast"? Of course not. We shift "fast" when we're in a hurry and driving in a spirited fashion. In these cases, we are giving fairy heavy throttle, holding each gear till the upper rpm range and shifting somewhat aggressively. Are we going to drive like this when the drivetrain is cold? I hope not (the cold rev limiter won't let us anyway). Therefore, during "cold" times, we are not in a circumstance when we would be shifting fast. So naturally, when we shift fast, commone sense would dictate that the drivetrain has had the prerequisite "warm-up" time. Those who feel they must shift fast when the drivetrain is cool, what are you trying to prove? There is no need for it and when the tranny tells you off by giving you a crunch or a grind, why are you surprised and why do you think there is something wrong? However, if you have warmed up the tranny and you do get a grind when shifting fast and you have endeavoured to keep your car in top mechanical shape and you strive to shift properly (clutch/shifter/throttle action), THEN perhaps you have a true mechanical issue.

As for ambient temps, I guess it's what you're used to. For you, 38 degrees is considered "cool" and you found that you had to slow your shift down somewhat to be smooth. I have driven my car after it has sat outside all night at MINUS 38 degrees (it doesn't matter if this is C or F because it's almost the same by this point). If you want to see slow shifting, try it when it's "really" cold. Everything is relative. Those shifts when at -38 are like in triple slow motion. My point is that we should all learn to shift at a speed that is commensurate with the ability of the hardware (given ambient conditions at the time) and our own abilities to perform the shift.

As for me having the crunch, this is a matter of interpretation. What constitutes a "crunch" to you may mean something else to me. If you are talking about an audible occurence, then no, I don't have a crunch in my over 5 year old car. If you are talking about a "feel" in the stick where just prior to gear engagement, you have a bit of a "kick-back" before finally going in, then yes, I have it and I have never considered it a problem. Every 6 speed manual transmission that I've ever owned has had this (ZR-1 Vette and Viper). The S2000 by far, has had the least amount of "crunch" of all these cars. It is by far, the smoothest of all of these cars.

Mine is very similar to yours. By the looks of that vid, I would say that you are in the top few percentile of expert shifters.

RED MX5

[QUOTE=xviper,Dec 18 2005, 12:41 AM]As for me having the crunch, this is a matter of interpretation.

xviper

This is primarily the main reason I do so few "noise" questions on this forum anymore. It's so hard to know how to interpret the meaning of a description of sound.

I'm glad that I was able to help you enjoy your car more in whatever small ways that I did. And no, I don't remember the specifics of our "conversations". There have been a LOT of people come through my PM box and in the forums that I've responded to. Sorry.

R11

[QUOTE=RED MX5,Dec 16 2005, 09:51 PM]I don't mean to be critical of anyone's driving skills or experience.