watchknut

While it’s a bit embarrassing, I’ll admit that until last Thurs, the day after I was the proud owner of a 1980 RX-7, I’d never driven a stick shift on a public road.

I believe in baptism by fire, and with the help of some good friends, have begun the process of learning to properly drive a manual.

Thus far I’ve had a great experience behind the wheel and am learning the car, and am quickly picking it up. That being said, I’d like to hear from owners on what they think are some of the “pro tips” of effectively driving a Gen 1.

DriftFB

Find a local autocross and go to it. You won’t ruin your tires, brakes, or anything else. You will really start to learn the characteristics of your car though.

With this type of car though, it’ll be keeping your momentum up, and not slowing down more than you need, and with a solid rear axle, get used to the sensation of sliding a bit.

watchknut

Definitely understand about momentum, my best turns were where I thought I was coming in a bit hot, but the car took them with ease. And yes, got the rear end loose twice today.

Great pointers!

A good buddy does autocross, so I’ll take him up on his invite.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to the Forum-
Not a "performance" driving tip, but one thing I have always tried to be aware of on these Old Girls (this is a 35+ yr old car after all),
is:
Don't make the gearbox do what the brakes are made for, which is slowing the car down. Of course there are exceptions, and once you get comfy with shifting and want to start rev-matching on downshifts for performance driving, that is all good. But day-to-day traffic and touring, let the very-excellent brakes slow the car down rather than dropping a gear and letting the clutch and tranny take the load. Gearboxes and clutches are $$$ to service and replace; with brakes, its just a set of pads. Let them do the work! Obv exception is a long steep grade where overheating brakes could be an issue, so drop it a gear and let the engine act as a brake...

my 2¢ from an old-timer

Stu A
80GS (17yrs - same clutch!)
AZ

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Best advice I can give is to just get out and practice driving the car. The RX-7 is a very easy car to drive and I have taught several people to drive a manual transmission in one. Once you learn the point at which the clutch disc grabs the flywheel when letting up on the pedal, there's will be smooth and easy to master.

The advice I would give is to not rest you foot on the clutch pedal when driving. Do not use the clutch to hold the car on a grade by partially letting the pedal out and using the engine to hold the car from rolling. Also, when I come to a stop, I put the trans in neutral and keep my foot off the clutch pedal. Slightly less wear and tear.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

I believe the most effective way to drive a 1st Gen (or any other vehicle for that matter) is to stay focused and alert. Never trust those around you and assume they either see you or think you are entitled to any sort of right of way.

Shifting gears is good for your soul. It helps to connect you with your car and enhances the driving experience. With some practice and time it becomes 2nd nature. As for a tip, I've always found that it's easier to find reverse if I turn my hand upside down, so that my thumb is down and my palm facing away from me. Opposite of the way you'd normally grip the **** to shift. I just kind of slap it over and back and it slides right in every time.

Ckforker

That last tip is a great one!

watchknut

Reverse has been a challenge, and this tip will definitely help.

I've had my head on a swivel more then I have ever have before...really have to be aware. I am used to driving a Land Cruiser 100 series, and am normally oblivious to my surroundings

AE_Racer

iTrader: (1)

Something else I found a video or a post on a while back was flipping your hand also to do the 3rd-4th upshift. Natural movement with your thumb up has you pulling the shifter toward you. Probably not necessary all the time but it helps prevent you from doing a 3rd-2nd "up" shift in the heat of the moment. I tried it and never went back, been driving manuals for almost 20 years and still blew my mind lol.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

In regards to finding reverse, I was taught by an older Mustang guy to put the trans in 4th gear and then in reverse. It's always worked for me and it's the method ibustill use today if reverse is not engaging properly when just attempting to shift directly into reverse from a neutral position on this shifter.

Benjamin4456

That reverse method is actually pretty slick. I've had a few times where reverse just doesn't want to be had and that would've definitely made life easier.

Keeping with the theme of transmission stuff, I've begun to double clutch all my 4-3 and 3-2 downshifts. It's probably not necessary, but if you ever run into syncho trouble like I have, it will keep you and your tranny driving for a good long while. It also puts less wear and tear on the synchos regardless, so... doesn't hurt to do it anyway. And with that, don't slam the gears (I think someone may have already said that, but hey, it's solid advice). I learned that the hard way - ask my second gear syncho, or whatever's left of it. You've really got to be patient with the shifting, especially in the higher rpm's.

That flipping the hand over trick for 5th and reverse is great. I've done it for as long as I've had my first gen, and it really helps on the SA's where the shifter is so tall.

watchknut

That 2nd gear syncro is definitely a little worn on mine, as my shifts into second are clunkier than 3rd and forth. I've been double clutching on down shifts when coming into stops or turns...definitely using the brakes as mentioned before. I'll be a little lighter handed on my shifts too, I know that I have tendency to throw into second.

I am still trying to find out the best range to shift from 1st to 2nd...still getting the feel.

Overall, it's such a pleasure to drive - then again I don't have anything other experience to compare to.

All of these tips are great and I can put into practice immediately. Thanks again!

watchknut

Tried the 4th and then reverse trick...wow! Super smooth and easy, thanks!

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

actually selection any gear before reverse will work.

LongDuck

Most drivers bang through the gears and blow out their synchros on 2 & 3 which are expensive and require full disassembly of the trans. 1st and 4th have no synchros (4th is 1:1 ratio and doesn't need it), so take it easy on upshifting and slow down. Ramming it into gear hard even ONCE is enough to fracture that brass ring gear, and it will never be the same until you replace parts.

Double-clutching is for fools. Back when dog-cut gears were popular for racing due to their strength, it was required to keep the trans spinning fast enough so that the next gear could be engaged smoothly. Our trans gearsets are light enough, helical cut, and spin well enough that its not required, nor does it add any speed or efficiency. Stop watching Fast & Furiou$ movies...

Change your transmission fluid from time to time with quality 90w gear oil. Most guys don't and it will cause friction, rough shifting, and generate heat. Fresh oil keeps everything spinning smoothly. While you have the bottle out, pour 1oz into the shifter hole, then put the shifter back in and button it up. New bushings and rubber dampers now make that whole job worthwhile.

Most importantly; take it easy. These cars were beaten on heavily in their day - but parts were plentiful back then,... now, not so much. Parts are hard to find, expensive, and no longer in production. Appreciate the car for being a survivor and enjoy it for what it is. This comes from a guy who DD an 84SE,

Benjamin4456

All good points. I mainly double clutch because I cannot successfully downshift into second or third (thank the PO) without either severe grinding, or it's just impossible, without doing so. You could say my sychos are toast...

LongDuck

If youre matching your revs accurately - you dont even need synchros.

eprx799

iTrader: (8)

I use mine for HPDE and it was a dedicated Auto-x car before that. I rev match and use engine braking ,since the brakes are so small compared to even a stock Miata. Still a fun car even if it isn’t very fast compared to other cars on track with me.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

OP where in NC are you situated? I live near Charlotte. Lots of car events here.

chuyler1

iTrader: (1)

A tip for those new to driving stick. Don't grasp the shifter like a ski pole or joy stick. All gears can be found with an open or slightly cupped hand.

First: make like a handshake, pull towards your leg with fingers, push forward with the palm of your thumb.

Second: pull back gently with your fingers

Third: push with your palm...the spring on the shifter will get it to 3rd and you'll never accidentally end up in 5th. Novices might be afraid it will go into 1st. It won't.

Fourth: pull with your fingers again

Fifth: flip your palm for a back handshake and push forward and away.

Reverse: back handshake push away from leg, then pull back with your fingers. If it doesn't click, I go to 1st then back to reverse, or neutral and lift the clutch then try again. Going to 4th works too.

Downshifting is similar to upshifting, just figure out the hand gestures. When you don't grasp the shifter, you are less prone to forcing it into gear and wearing out the syncros. There is a funny video of a bus driver shifting...he looks silly...but the technique works. I've never had to replace a transmission or clutch in any car. 120k miles from new on two different cars, only at 40k with the Rx7 though.

I also always downshift as I slow just to keep the engine in gear at cruising RPMs. I feel it is less wear and tear on the clutch compared to the alternate. Which is gong to burn more clutch, a slight blip and rev match from 3rd to 2nd as you brake for a tight turn, or waiting until you are done turning and want to accelerate? In the former, you use virtually no clutch, in the latter, you are downshifting and letting the clutch out at the same time you attempt to accelerate which almost always results in slipping the clutch more.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

I'm in the downshift for slowing club because it helps preserve brakes and is very little wear on the clutch. It also helps keep you in a usable rev range when you go to accelerate.

Up in the mountains with SA brakes, keeping them cool can help prevent brown seats. Now that I have gone to a DOT 4 brake fluid with high temp tolerance, its much less of an issue.

LongDuck

Yaknow what else helps with accurate and smooth shifting? A 12lb flywheel (light aluminum) from RacingBeat. (Stock is over 26lbs!)

I installed one with the Auto rear counterweight and it has made me a better driver; the light flywheel rev matches on upshifts more smoothly because there's less inertia to maintain rotation allowing the engine to drop to the lower RPM range more quickly, is smoother on downshifts because when you blip the throttle there's instant response with less mass, and the only downside is a lumpy idle.

If you don't mind the idle inconsistencies (*and you don't live in a hilly area that requires a lot of uphill starts), the performance benefit is worthwhile. Plus, it has a replaceable friction surface ($100), and never requires turning or truing. With an Exedy Stage1, it feels a lot like stock, but has more grip, too.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

I have the 82 flywheel which is just 23 lbs I think and for the same reasons its a much nicer shifting experience. My idle is a little wonky but in a good way.

chuyler1

iTrader: (1)

I have the RB steel flywheel, not sure the weight, it definitely makes hill starts challenging, of which I have many in my area. Up shifts are faster and downshifts easier...but still require mashing the gas pedal for heal toe at the track. With stock gearing, the ratios are really far apart.

mikey D

Don't slam it into gear, push or pull the lever gently into the gate and when it's ready it'll almost finish the shift for you. thats my advise for any Manuel trans, it'll let you know when it's time if your paying attention.