I have read the posts about the manual popping out of first gear. Mine has a different problem with first gear. It is almost impossible to put it into first unless you are completely stopped. Many times it would be nice to be able to downshift into first gear, like when a light turns green before you have completely stopped (That seems to happen to me all of the time!). I am always having to keep in in second and lugging the engine a bit in those situations.

Is this normal? Or is it related to the syncro problem?

 

What's the build date on your car? Generally speaking, the first gear popping/syncro problem is found in cars built prior to Dec 2003. I would say take it to your dealer... although the 6-speed is on the clunky side, you should not have a problem downshifting into any gear. If they start to give you a run around... request a test drive in another car to compare the difference.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

AZXFIRE - Mine was built in October 04. And my trans serial number matches the 6.64x to 6.67x range that knuckledragger posted on May 12. It reads 667o :cry: .

Question: Can you shift yours into first from second at about 5-10 mph? Mine simply will not do it.

If you -or anyone else- can, I will go to the dealer and start the process :cry:

 

I'd say10 MPH is getting a little on the high side to down shift into first (too much engine compression). I have the new transmission.

 

Maybe, it was built in October 2003

 

Just go to the dealer and tell them it is popping out of first. They will not give you any hassles about putting in the kit. Mine had the same getting into first problem, but never popped out. I had the kit put in and it is much better now.

 

KNOWIT - Thanks.

Oh yea, it was built in October 2003 .

 

I doubt replacing the synchros will give you the results you are looking for. Our gear box is not straight cut, so you will only wear out your synchros faster by shifting into first at a high rpm.

You think this transmission is bad, try a mitsubishi. You could hardly shift into first from most stops! I owned 3. All the same. JUNK.

 

i heard that first gear "locks" after you're at a certain speed... not sure though... anybody?

 

I have the same problem downshifting into first when exceeding a certain speed. Like the previous post says - I think it 'locks' once you reach a set (althougt unspecified) speed.

The same thing happened in my last car so I don't think it's crossfire specific. This is only the second manual car I've owned but to me it seems normal. If your going too fast and you downshift into second the RPMS are going to go through the roof. So it makes sense to lock it, expecially being how short 1st gear is anyway.

Anyone else with more experience driving manual cars want to comment?

 

I was always under the impression that 1st is not synchronized because you shouldnt be shifting into it unless you are at a full stop. I have however had the need to shift into it at 5 MPH or under when approaching a stop light and it turns green just as I am almost at a full stop and it has gone it with a little encouragement. But anything faster than 5 MPH and it was almost impossible and that is the same for my 03 Z06 as it is my 04 Jeep Wrangler and every other stick shift car I have owned my entire life.

 

Try double-clutch heel-toe downshifting and see if that will allow you to engage first gear.

 

I'm in the club that says you should not be putting the car into first unless you're at a dead stop. If I am moving at all, (stoplight turns green, etc.) I am in second. While this is only the second manual transmission I've owned, the Crossfire's first gear to me has a definite "granny gear" feel, like it's mostly to get you rolling and then you let 2nd take over.

 

I think I need to realize that the crossfire is not meant to be a drag car. I just need to quit dreaming about dropping it into first gear at 10mph and punching it to get the backend loose and smoking the tires. That is just not what it was designed to do, right? Hmmm, a quarter mile of 14.7 sec, but a slolam of 67 mph.... maybe I should be dreaming of road courses like WMichaels.......... :lol:

 

I've driven a stick for 25 years, starting with my 66 Mustang, and I was taught never to use first except at a complete stop. If the tire is moving at all, I feather the clutch in 2nd gear and hardly ever get that lugging sensation.

It's part of the fun of driving a stick...finding that sweet spot at just the right amount of gas and clutch.

 

Without getting to technical:

When you downshift- the synchro is trying to match speeds of the output side of the transmission and the input side of the transmission. The blocker rings (part of the synchro) are very tiny. They are in charge of providing the friction to accomplish the speed matching. Without matched input/output speeds- you can not get the trans into gear.

Thus we have heel-and-toe driving. You blip the throttle while braking (while clutch is depressed) to match the engine speed (trans input speed) with the output speed... This allows the shift to occur and voila! We have downshifted into 1st gear. Its a bit of a performance thing ya know?

 

And it provides less overall wear on the powertrain and brakes than slipping the clutch in second-gear. Slipping the clutch is how you wear out your powertrain and transmission. Heel-toe double-clutch downshifting will put much less wear on the car.

 

BBBBBBBooooooooyyyyyyyyy i'm glad i got the auto stick,Had the 6spd in the 350zzzz and hated ittt