Thread: How to drive a manual transmission smoothly (Sr20de version)...

Alright, this may sound like a dumb question to ask, but I've been driving manuals off and on for years, mostly domestic vehicles (Mustangs mainly, an AMC, a VW, etc.) And I know I don't have a lot of mileage under my belt with the Chupacabra (cable clutch).
I've been trying and slowly I think I might be getting better but yet I still can't really shift it smoothly.
And from what manuals I've driven, I know each have their own "sweet spot" per-se between the clutch grabbing & releasing.
I don't buck the cars or anything. My question, when shifting between gears, I know finding the right speed & rpm to shift smoothly at is key.
When you shift, do you let the clutch out, and then give it gas, give it gas while letting the clutch out, let the clutch out fast, slow? I'm talking about every gear but first here, I can do that fine. Also, I know an Sr20 won't have the smoothest transmission in the world but some I've seen can drive it very nice, maybe I just need a lot more practice!

Also, should I try to be soft in shifting through the gears or is being rough alright?
I ask cause I tend to be a bit rough on things, hard shifter I suppose lol.



And for some reason (to me, again maybe not quite use to it yet :???: ) the shifter- it seems like I am driving a manual pickup... seems tall to me (again remember, use to mainly Mustangs) and awkward.

I tend to shift around 3500-4500, as far as engagement goes every clutch is different and the cables too.. oem cable ftw .. but they do stretch..

Oh and I tend to be fast but smooth on an off the clutch between shifts.. I prob let off the clutch almost all the way before applying gas again

I'm relearning my self here with the 6 speed mudducky

Well good to know I am not the only one out there
It's an oem cable, now whether or not it's stretched I have no clue as I have nothing else to compare it to.
I've been testing my shifts at 3k+, think the last run I let it get up to around 4k-4.5 and it was the smoothest shifting (albeit still off) yet... think it's my clutch action or lack there-of lol.

Updated first post

I think that might be part of my problem, I am trying to drive it like a Mustang lol. I think I am letting off the clutch about 3/4 (maybe inbetween a 1/2 & 3/4) of the way and applying some gas, raising the front end of the Chupacabra -that's my main thing lol.



But also (and a bit OT), at times I have a hard time finding the gear I need for some reason.... totally random, can be any gear at any given time.... I am positive I am bringing it into (let say for example) 3rd, and pull it out of 2nd to go into 3rd and nothing. Go and make sure it's in Neutral and bring it back to the same spot as the 1st time and it goes right in... hard to explain really, but hopefully understandable. It's totally random, I can be in the yard and go for Reverse, nothing.... Neutral check then into same spot, BAM slides right into reverse.

Our reverse is goofy.. try letting off the clutch slightly while putting it in reverse an Mayne blip the throttle a tad..

Sometimes 3rd or 4th can be goofy depending on the condition of the trans

It's just weird though, random and with any gear at any time.
Usually when it happens with the Reverse, I'll think it's in and give it a touch of gas and it'll grind a little... Neutral check then back in and all is dandy.

Meh I wouldn't worry too much.. just learn it's quirks..

I figure (& hope) it's all driver's error lol
But afterall, it is the Chupacabra & it has had its fair share of curses.... I can only hope it is quirks from here on out.

The reverse thing is fairly normal with nissans from my exp..

The missing gear thing isnt so normal .. the fart machine sometimes wont let me in 3rd.. like a brick wall.. I gotta put it back in 2nd then try again..it usually happens on up shifts.. it's however more common for 4th to do it tho when down shifting from 5th but usually I can wiggle the shifter an try again an it's fine..

I've had soo many transmissions, an they all had their own quirks.. I suspect it's due to the shift forks being worn out.. or sometimes synchros..