Hi all,

New guy here with an observation regarding the 6-speed manual trans we have. I'm a 60's era hot rodder, with that era's Mustangs, Camaros and Javelins. I was involved in SCCA B Sedan and "sanctioned" weekend parking lot slalom racing, and spent a ton of money that I wish I still had to play with now!

My point is that I am very used to having a TRUE close ratio gearbox. By that definition, I refer to the percentage of drop between each gear at much closer to 20% than not....

One of the big gripes that I and many others here have about our cars is the 1st to 2nd shift....and how 'sloppy' it is....even for experienced stick drivers. I believe the reason is, primarily, the substantial distance between 1st and 2nd gear. If my math is correct...I put it at a 38% drop. In addition, we also have the lack of a good 'feel' in the clutch pedal (which I know can be addressed somewhat with fixes noted on this site).

Personally, if I ever have to get into this trans, I hope I can find a new gearset with a much closer (taller) 1st gear... like maybe something in the 3.2 range instead of 3.8. I know we would lose some off the line acceleration, but I feel it would be worth if and would improve the overall performance and driving feel.

I'd like to hear some thoughts from others....


JJ

 

I feel you there. They succeeded in making this car feel unique, for better or worse. I'm not sure what they were smoking when they decided to make it a pain in the ***!

 

You're saying you're willing to sacrifice faster acceleration for a smoother 1-2 shift?

Maybe play with the final drive as well to compensate?

 

I don't know why yall complain about the 1-2 shift but I have no issues with shifting it smoothly. Ya every now and again I'll get a little jerk but it's not the cars fault. I usually bump the throttle just a bit on the 1-2 shift and it's nice and smooth. I find if your slow on the shift it'll get a little rough but if you engage it quick enough there's no problem. The clutch is a little dead feeling I gotta give you that.

 

I realize there is a bit of a trade off in my throught process. Since I never do any stoplight to stoplight street racing, or will I ever do any track time with this car, I would just love to have that feeling of a true road race inspired close ratio gearbox.


It's just a personal thing with me....taste and desire.... everybodys got something different. I found a few web sites that specialize in road race type gearboxes ...I may give them a call...again, when it's time to get inside this box for repairs or ?????


JJ