That is a big gear recovery range we have between 1 to 2...
I wish it was a closer ratio to keep the RPMS up from the 1st to 2nd shift,, Plus a taller 1st would be nice for most of us higher then stock HP/TQ guys.
Thats why I am glad to have a higher RPM rev limit, to help with that drop on that gear change,keeping RPMS up..Also my 1'' bigger diameter tires help a little to give a taller gear effect.
But all in all, I have no problem shifing 1st to 2nd with my 997 short shifter?

 

My smoothest starts and shift 1-2, not looking for speed, are to get revs 1200-1500 then let out clutch to start rolling from a stop. Up to about 2800-3000K from first to 2nd, and pause short(long) enough for revs to fall no lower than 1800K, add throttle if needed to keep revs up to prevent it from lugging, as I let out clutch into 2nd. For speed keep revs 2000K or above for 1-2 but no more than 3K. YMMV- I have a flashed X50 TT.

 

If the GT2's is any better than the TT, then the TT must be terrible... I noticed my first to second is a little harsh aswell (I have the gt2).

I remember my 997 c4s was really smooth first to second... :\

 

Tell me about it, such a difference from the 996!

 

Just took a loop through the city to do some first to second shifts. My gt2 actually does shift pretty smooth from first to second at normal driving.

Though when accelerating hard, the first can be kind of clunky to come out of, as you have to wait a second for the rpm to die down before engaging second.

Letting the clutch out quickly does slow the engine, but it puts it under some stress. (which is probably fine)

 

Same here...1st to 2nd at cruising speed is not very smooth for me either on my '03. I may indeed be looking at a shifter upgrade.

 

Getting out of 1st early is not the key to a smooth 1-2 shift. As a matter of fact, the shift initiation RPM doesn't matter at all.

I ever so slightly "lead with the clutch" when I shift, and I don't fully release the throttle once the clutch pedal is depressed; always smooth shifts.

 

It's "all motor" when starting off in 1st gear (no boost), so given the relatively heavy weight of the Turbo the overall ratio in 1st gear is an advantage in getting the car up and moving faster than some SUV.

I personally love the gearing in 1st. It produces the hardest pull possible in my Turbo (read - highest longitudinal g).

 

1st to 2nd gear shifts are always the hardest in any manual really. The vague clutch feel just adds to it IMO.

 

Here is my 2 cents. It has nothing to do with the shifter but it has everything to do with the assisted clutch system that Porsche felt was needed for people/drivers with less power in their legs (100 lbs drivers come to mind here.. fill in the blanks). So this assisted clutch reduces the pressure needed to operate the clutch pedal dramatically. Now, this "assist" is not completely linear and in the first 20% of the pedal travel it just has a complete different amount of assist when compared with the other 80% or so. As a result, there is this special "position" in the pedal where the assist level changes... and that is what drivers hit every time they have a "2nd shift moment" and THAT is why people have problems with the 996TT clutch and the jerky starts. It is also why people are trying to shift at speeds / revs that prevent the engine from racing or bogging down and in doing so circumvent the problem. I also believe that this issue is the reason for the 2nd gear pop-out problem that is a result of too many bad 2nd gear shifts because of that problem. This is what I am thinking and I am sticking to it

 

Hroussard, you're right on the money! I consider myself a very good manual driver and this is the first car where I was wondering what the hell was wrong with the clutch?! I can drive it smoothly but it should be much easier. I will try removing that spring, which is supposed to improve the clutch feel.

 

Well, there are some treads in forums about that. You should check before you do that. It seems the real solution is to REPLACE that spring in the system with a spring that is less abrupt (strong).