So I've put probably 40k miles on my fd. The entire time I've owned it I cannot downshift into 1st unless I'm going VERY slow. Like 2-3mph. Is it a safety mechanism is it something in my trans?

 

I've had the same experience on my past two and current FD. I've been curious about this as well but never made a post about it. Interested to see if someone knows more about this.

 

 

Interesting that you've brought this up, I've always wondered why going into 1st was difficult above 10 mph.. I have the very same experience with my RX7 as well.

 

Just a tired trans, poor clutch disengagement and/or not rev matching well enough.

Here is vid of my FD with a mystery used trans downshifting fairly seamlessly into 1st.

Its a stock trans- just with a Ikeya Formula drum shifter attached. Gear indicator is on the steering column.

 

I'm with AE Racer...asking a lot of the synchros. And I'm trying to think of a time I would want to downshift to 1st gear at anything over parking lot speed. I don't even recall needing it in any Autocross course.

 

I have to use 1st gear fairly frequently at our local auto-x because its a narrow venue and often has pin cones like in gymkhanna. Usually used in conjunction with the e-brake.

 

Completely agree with the double clutching. Rev-matching into 1st always feels funny because the revs are so much higher than downshifting from 4-3 or even 3-2!
Has everything to do with the gear ratios... and worn synchros.

Generally, I just start in 2nd if I'm even barely moving.

 

 

I just have an issue during normal street driving. Pulling in my neighborhood for instance, is a sharp right turn. As I slow down, 1st would be perfect to downshift into the turn and begin up my street. But i cant.. Not unless I'm at a complete stop which would probably cause an accident. I have to use 2nd and it's so low rpm it often bogs. Even pulling up to a red light that turns green, is another scenario. Seems MANY FD's have this "issue". I found a few other old threads.

 

I'm pretty sure most modern cars have synchros into 1st, but I'm sure they wear out fast...
Cant speak specifically to FDs (yet) but my 180sx definitely has a synchro in 1st. You just have to blip the throttle in neutral before putting it into gear... (rev matching)

 

It should go into 1st easily. Probably syncro.

 

Drove my car today, and from the information in this thread, for me rev matching higher did the trick for easy shifting into 1st gear. I was clearly not rev matching enough for that gear.. Lesson learnt! Thanks!!

 

Syncros keep you from having to rev match when youre shifting. I still think your syncro is wore out but as long as youre happy....

 

Makes sense, the car does have a fair bit of mileage on it, over 134,000 km's after all, so its not surprising its probably getting up there in age. I have more pressing issues to deal with than this minor issue. Most of the times I don't have to go into first very often so I'm happy living with it.

 

it to keep people from killing themselves...... if u want dump into first get a clutchless transmission

 

Word.
Even on a new car, downshifting into 1st, you'll have to blip the throttle pretty good.
Synchros help smoothen the shifts so you don't grind gears. The only way to shift seamlessly is to rev-match exactly!

 

[QUOTE=adey;12335123]Word.
Even on a new car, downshifting into 1st, you'll have to blip the throttle pretty good./QUOTE].

No. This is Exactly what I'm talking about. On any car, you shouldn't have to blip ****. The syncros job is to speed whatever gear up or down to match the input shaft speed. I have a 2015 Golf. Even though I do blip the throttle on every downshift, i dont have to. Not even from 2 to 1.

 

It's just annoying during normal driving.. I think it's a common problem on FD's from all the people that mention it. Either that, or a lot of bad transmissions.

 

[QUOTE=FührerTüner;12335187]I don't drive new cars
Every car I've ever driven (ok I lied, I had a new 2001 gti -- but including that!) would be much slower (to downshift) into 1st gear. Of course, technically, you're right -- you never HAVE to blip the throttle (not even in a dogmission) but it's a matter of how long it takes to slide into gear, or how much grinding you can handle. ;-)