Not so smooth shifting feeling

[Azkyrie6]

I’ve got 340 ish miles and in my experience with this car it’s not a “slam gears car” When I was a young kid I used to no lift shift my EM1 Si and it loved it Slamming all those gears. I don’t feel that in this transmission, not a bad thing just likes you to just guide the shifter to the next gear rather than force it. My 2 to 3rd Shift is just a palm push, 3rd to 4th 3 finger pull, never try to put much pressure in the shifter rather let it run its path it’s designed to go on That’s atleast how mines been.
I don’t know if this is any help, just make sure clutch is full engaging and giving the car it’s needed revs.

You said 15 years ? What kinda car was it ?

good job explaining in detail. This seems to be a clear case of:

Shift the way your car likes it, not just the way you feel like shifting.

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[Azkyrie6]

Thanks!

2-->3 is the smoothest shift and I also use palm push. 1-->2 and 3-->4 is where I need to work harder. I am trying not to apply much pressure, but I wish it was smoother. If it is how the transmission was designed, I will learn to live with it. I just want to make sure my car has no real problem.

Clutch is so light, and I find it's easy to fully engage it. As for revs, I am shifting in the 3500 range.

I had Golf GTI.

shifting 2–>3 is where the magic happens in this car. Some basic things to re-learn if needed: Do not engage 1st gear from a roll or try to minimize this. Don't rush your shifts, particularly from 1st->2nd.

Whether letting revs fall when shifting up or rev matching when shifting down you’ll want to match the revs to the gears, and time your shifts. The ITS has an amazing shift gearbox, but to maximize the feel it comes down to foot technique in the clutch and pedal.

The steep learning curve (and fun) is anticipating what you’re going to do. When you’ve got the engine rev feel down, it’s about feathering some gas as you engage the clutch for a smooth shift. In other situations you’ll want to very slightly left off on the gas just a hair before engaging the clutch, shifting and putting it into gears.

So add a little gas or let off a little but nothing abruptly. There’s a large gap between 1st and 2nd gear ratios, synchros need a slightly longer moment to make the magic. Once you how to control engine rev letting on or letting off gas, your shifts should be buttery smooth in all gears.

 

[edido]

Hi,

I just want to clarify, what I am experiencing is the "bumps" in motion of shifting while the clutch is fully engaged. I am talking about the feeling in my hand. It's not about gas and my foot motions to connect the clutch and engine (but I get your comments.)

Attached is an illustration of what I experience. See the "red" bump. I would expect when I shift the gear, the movement of stick should be straight and smooth. But about 60% I feel like "metal" bump in the motion.

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

I'm going to test drive a demo ITS tomorrow afternoon. I'll be sure to note the shift action (I plan to anyway) and report back.

 

[Azkyrie6]

Hi,

I just want to clarify, what I am experiencing is the "bumps" in motion of shifting while the clutch is fully engaged. I am talking about the feeling in my hand. It's not about gas and my foot motions to connect the clutch and engine (but I get your comments.)

Attached is an illustration of what I experience. See the "red" bump. I would expect when I shift the gear, the movement of stick should be straight and smooth. But about 60% I feel like "metal" bump in the motion.

I see what you mean. In practice have you shifted the gears when car is turned off to see if you’re experiencing the same bumpy feels? From there see if adjustments in shifting motion yields the same results. Test those before determining if your clutch/throttle techniques has an effect on shifting feels. There is supposed to be a bit of of notch feeling when getting in gear. As long as you have no grinding and super crunchy feels

 

[Integra23]

Fyi. There were improvements made in the shift gates for smoother shifting.

 

[edido]

I see what you mean. In practice have you shifted the gears when car is turned off to see if you’re experiencing the same bumpy feels? From there see if adjustments in shifting motion yields the same results. Test those before determining if your clutch/throttle techniques has an effect on shifting feels. There is supposed to be a bit of of notch feeling when getting in gear. As long as you have no grinding and super crunchy feels

Yes - I experience the same bumpy feeling when the car is off. By changing the motion I can make it smooth. The problem when I drive, I cannot always craft perfect motion and hence I experience the bumps.
No grinding. If I push more to the left and down from 1-->2 I can feel the bumps all the time. If I more or less in the center, it's perfect and I do feel pleasant notch. It seems like this is how the gear was designed because the bumpy feeling doesn't come with grinding or crunchy feels.

Maybe something is too loose with cable (or else) and I have a higher probability shifting the gear near the edge causing the bumpy feeling.

 

[bpebler]

Fyi. There were improvements made in the shift gates for smoother shifting.

You always find some of the most interesting stuff!

 

[optronix]

Yeah take the car to a dealer, hopefully they can determine if something is indeed wrong.

This may be a case of inflated expectations from the media hyping up the shifter feel in this car to stratospheric levels. It is a fantastic gearbox, but I think expectations of "smoothness" can conflate what makes this transmission so great.

BMW transmissions for example are very "smooth", but also "rubbery" is a term that's frequently used to describe the BMW shifter feel. "Smooth" wouldn't be my first choice in describing desired characteristics of an enthusiast-centered manual transmission. I want "feedback", which includes letting me know when the shifter is in the gear I select. This doesn't really translate to "smooth" for me, and that's a very good thing in my mind.

My brother's WRX is another good example- it is very, very smooth. Super easy to get into gear. But I absolutely hate driving it. It's sloppy and feels like a video game, almost synthetic. The STI doesn't suffer from this; it has a very mechanical, direct feel that I loved. But I still think the ITS is even better.

There's a possibility what you're describing as "bumps" is 100% the way it's designed to operate- and you just don't like it.

 

[edido]

Yeah take the car to a dealer, hopefully they can determine if something is indeed wrong.

This may be a case of inflated expectations from the media hyping up the shifter feel in this car to stratospheric levels. It is a fantastic gearbox, but I think expectations of "smoothness" can conflate what makes this transmission so great.

BMW transmissions for example are very "smooth", but also "rubbery" is a term that's frequently used to describe the BMW shifter feel. "Smooth" wouldn't be my first choice in describing desired characteristics of an enthusiast-centered manual transmission. I want "feedback", which includes letting me know when the shifter is in the gear I select. This doesn't really translate to "smooth" for me, and that's a very good thing in my mind.

My brother's WRX is another good example- it is very, very smooth. Super easy to get into gear. But I absolutely hate driving it. It's sloppy and feels like a video game, almost synthetic. The STI doesn't suffer from this; it has a very mechanical, direct feel that I loved. But I still think the ITS is even better.

There's a possibility what you're describing as "bumps" is 100% the way it's designed to operate- and you just don't like it.

I really like the car, and I'll get used to it (assuming my car doesn't have a real problem.)

I just really want someone else to check my gear box. Or compare to other ITS.
I would like to meet someone in the Bay Area (CA) who has ITS/FL5 and experience with the transmission.

 

[optronix]

I really like the car, and I'll get used to it (assuming my car doesn't have a real problem.)

I just really want someone else to check my gear box. Or compare to other ITS.
I would like to meet someone in the Bay Area (CA) who has ITS/FL5 and experience with the transmission.

For peace of mind, this may be the way to go.

Another idea would be to go find one on a lot somewhere and ask for a test drive. Worst they could say is no.

 

[Krazydan19]

I went for a spirited journey to get some fuel this morning “windows down ac off jaming like I was 17 again”. Anyways if you are trying to guide shifts at all off the path you will feel a “bump” Just guide the path don’t try to steer the shifts. Only gear needs little Guidance is 5 what I’ve found out in my 400 miles. Saw a yellow type r too.

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

I just got back from my demo drive and I'm not feeling any of the "bump" or clunkiness you're mentioning @edido. Typical *snick snick* Honda from gate to gate (and I shift like an anemic senior). Even on aggressive shifts, smooth as butter.

Hopefully you can bring yours in to be checked out. Maybe a transmission fluid change might help.

 

[CTR]

After daily driving an S2000 for about 10 years I was forced to learn proper shift technique. It had a tendency to be hard to get into gear when cold. Once I started using proper technique and not forcing shifts it was easier.

While the S2000 is regarded as one of the best manual transmissions ever produced I'd argue that my FL5 feels better.

Go watch some videos online as you may need to adjust how you are shifting. Also note that it will not always feel exactly the same. There can be a little more resistance between gears depending on temperatures/speed/rpm.

 

[optronix]

Go watch some videos online as you may need to adjust how you are shifting. Also note that it will not always feel exactly the same. There can be a little more resistance between gears depending on temperatures/speed/rpm.

And if the clutch pedal is full depressed. This one gets me every now and then when I'm lazy/distracted.

But I agree; after driving it today while thinking about it, it is really tough for me to think anyone could have any gripes with this transmission at all. Maybe something is indeed wrong with OP's transmission? I'm curious to find out what the dealer finds.

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