Shifter feel

[turtl631]

So I jsut got my car a month ago, and the guy I bought it from had installed an OBX short shifter. Since I learned to drive stick on this car I have no real point of reference, BUT...it seems kinda weird and notchy, and vibrates a lot. Above 4k its just obnoxious. I finally got to drive a stock s14 this weekend and the shifter was so fluid and not harsh...but had ridiculous throws too. Is the OBX installed wrong or does it just suck? Also, i have a n00b question, but I guess we all start somewhere. Assuming you're driving relatively fast, i.e. 50 mph, approaching a tight turn in 4th gear so you push in the clutch and let off the gas and start braking down to say 20 mph...should i keep the shifter in the neutral position until i'm going relatively slow, or can i put it in 2nd or even 1st while still going 50 but WITH THE CLUTCH PUSHED IN? Reason I ask is mostly that i had to teach myself to drive stick, so some things still elude me, and also if i try to downshift before the speed and rpms match, its really hard to put the shifter in gear, as if im pushing the shifter past a spring loaded door or something. Whatever, I'm an idiot, someone please reply and help me out. Thanks!Ross

[Chingon]

yes you can put the lever in gear w/the clutch in (BUT DON'T LET GO OF THE CLUTCH IF YOU HAVE NOT MATCHED SPEED/RPM!!!). And you can put the shifter in from 60mph into 1st if you wished to w/the pedal in, but if you let go, say bye to your transmission ;(

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

yeah. what chingon said. Oh and the obx, yes thats how most short shifters are. Noisy, and not fluid. The harsh feels is the point of getting a short shifter. shift quick and fast

[MainEvent212]

eh, my shifter is VERY notchy but it is GOOD because my throws are about half of what YOURS are and 1/4 of stock...the only drawback i can say is when you're tired...but after the car uis warmed up it's really fine...you should look into B&M...i will definately say it's SHORTER then C's shifters although a little bit stiffer

[turtl631]

Okay, just makin sure. I can definitely shift really quick with it, its like a quick flick rather than a whole arm motion, but I think I might try somethign besides the OBX in the future. We shall see...

[Charlie240sxt]

OBX just plan sucks it F***ed my transmission up by letting all the gear oil out now i have a B&M and love it i have a stock 240 shifter if you want to buy it to replace that POS OBX for 30 plus shipping

[Nismo_Freak]

Assuming you're driving relatively fast, i.e. 50 mph, approaching a tight turn in 4th gear so you push in the clutch and let off the gas and start braking down to say 20 mph...should i keep the shifter in the neutral position until i'm going relatively slow, or can i put it in 2nd or even 1st while still going 50 but WITH THE CLUTCH PUSHED IN? Reason I ask is mostly that i had to teach myself to drive stick, so some things still elude me, and also if i try to downshift before the speed and rpms match, its really hard to put the shifter in gear, as if im pushing the shifter past a spring loaded door or something. Whatever, I'm an idiot, someone please reply and help me out. Thanks!Ross

Keep the shifter in the gear you are downshifting to... for 20 mph you'd want to be in 2nd.

The proper way to downshift before a corner is as follows:

Before corner entry (3rd ---> 2nd):- Swing the top of your foot onto brake pedal- Depress brake pedal until car begins to slow- Push in clutch- Rotate foot on brake pedal while maintaining pressure, and blip the throttle with the heel of your foot. - Downshift immediately after blipping throttle- Release clutch- Rotate foot to brake pedal solely

AKA Heel-Toe downshifting

It should be very smooth and it will take some practice. Sometimes you can't rotate your foot so you'll have to learn how to use one foot to modulate both the throttle and brake pedal.

Make sure you practice without traffic or a fast stop... you will more than likely not get it right the first couple times you do it.

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

heel toe, oh man I've mastered that and it really helps taking corners fast

[annunziato39]

Heel toe is great if you are approaching a turn at a high speed. If you're just driving down the street and you have no reason to take the turn with maximum entance and exit speed, engage the clutch and tap the gas so the RPM jump (how much all depends on your speed) with out using your brake and downshift. Your transmission will slow you down enough so you can take the turn.

[PhaneSoul]

if u want, ill trade u my stock shifter for your obx.....

[Mr1der]

perhaps your transmission mounts suck too?

I believe they make a B&M Ripper for it, that'd be the best way to go, roughly 200 for one.

this is an actual short throw shifter and not a short shifter handle.

[turtl631]

I've got the stock shifter in case I decide to change. Thanks so much for the driving tips, thats what I needed. Nobody tells you the basic stuff when you try to teach yourself