Guidance on my shift quality?

[Mao_Junior]

Hey all! Long time Porsche owner (mostly ol' ones, last car was '69 912), but recently purchased 2000 S. The car drives like a dream. Shifting thru all gears is buttery smooth, except for the shift from first to second. No noise, not a grinding feel, but feels like it makes a gentle stop before fully going down into second. Feels more like the shift from first to second has two points instead of the one long shift downward. New clutch and motor mounts done at 88k according to prior owner records. Car has 95k on it. Enjoy reading this forum, and appreciate the friendly environment and continual sharing of info. 3rd to second on downshift is as smooth as 2nd up to 3rd.

Thoughts? TIA

[san rensho]

Try this. A splitsecond before you are going to shift from 1st tto 2nd, pull back on the shift lever, not hard, just apply some gentle pressure. Then, when you put the clutch in, you should feel the lever release and then go into second without having to apply any additional pressure to the lever. If it shifts smoothly doing this, then its just your shift technique, not the synchro.

[Mao_Junior]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Try this. A splitsecond before you are going to shift from 1st tto 2nd, pull back on the shift lever, not hard, just apply some gentle pressure. Then, when you put the clutch in, you should feel the lever release and then go into second without having to apply any additional pressure to the lever. If it shifts smoothly doing this, then its just your shift technique, not the synchro.

Hey! thank you for such a quick response! That did help a bit! Why is that? Still not 100%, but it feels easier doing it as you said. Also feels better when the shift is made slower and more deliberate. My buddy has a 2002 S, so we are going to switch and compare. I will report back.

thanks!

[san rensho]

Whats happening is whenever you upshift, when you press the clutch, the input shaft will slow down because it is now disconnected from the motor. If the input shaft slows down past the point where it will mesh with the next gear, then the synchro has to speed up the input shaft to the point it will mesh. The time it takes the synchro to get back up to speed is the "balk" that you feel.

This happens because most people tend to depress the clutch fairly early and hesitate before they start to move the shift lever. This hesitation is enough time to let the input shaft slow too much and make the shift balk.

[Mao_Junior]

San Rensho,

This morning I fiddled with different styles after reading much on the internet of notchy, balky 2nd gears on 6 speeds. I even attempted a sort of double clutch, but that wasn't something I wanted to get into mostly driving on Brooklyn streets. Instead of just coming straight down sort of forcefully, I let the knob find its way more naturally. It seems if I cheat towards neutral than back down into second that the flow is immensely smoother. Additionally, I wasn't thinking so much about shifting into second (as I was prior excepting to feel resistance each time) allowing for more enjoyable driving. I'm still anxious to drive my friend's 2002 S, and have him drive mine as he is much more familiar with these cars and drives competitively. Thanks again!

[ekam]

You shouldn't need to muscle shifting gears whether you're upshifting or downshifting. 1st to 2nd gear shift is a bit more tough in middle of winter but that's about it. I have the 9x7 shifter assembly on mine which shortens the shift a bit but still makes it a fairly comfortable experience.

It's smooth like a bolt gun.

[Mao_Junior]

Originally Posted by ekam

You shouldn't need to muscle shifting gears whether you're upshifting or downshifting. 1st to 2nd gear shift is a bit more tough in middle of winter but that's about it. I have the 9x7 shifter assembly on mine which shortens the shift a bit but still makes it a fairly comfortable experience.

It's smooth like a bolt gun.

thanks guys!

Ekam, so if the problem for me isn't technique than I should look towards something mechanical? I've read of others changing mounts and fluids. I'm going to continue babying it until my friend has a look, then I will have mechanic do a thorough look during pending oil change.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Mao_Junior

San Rensho,

This morning I fiddled with different styles after reading much on the internet of notchy, balky 2nd gears on 6 speeds. I even attempted a sort of double clutch, but that wasn't something I wanted to get into mostly driving on Brooklyn streets. Instead of just coming straight down sort of forcefully, I let the knob find its way more naturally. It seems if I cheat towards neutral than back down into second that the flow is immensely smoother. Additionally, I wasn't thinking so much about shifting into second (as I was prior excepting to feel resistance each time) allowing for more enjoyable driving. I'm still anxious to drive my friend's 2002 S, and have him drive mine as he is much more familiar with these cars and drives competitively. Thanks again!

Double clutching won't help on the upshift, only on downshifts. Unless there is something wrong with the tranny, the quicker you can upshift, the smoother. Thats why preloading the shifter slightly before you put the clutch in usually gives a very quick, smooth shift.