Now that I'm driving the car more aggressively at much higher rpm I'm having a hard time with the 1-2 shift. The others are buttery smooth at any rpm, but 1-2 the rpms don't drop fast enough between shifts, and there's such a gap between those gears, that the shift is just brutal and the car jerks bad. If I shift into 2nd at low rpm its bearable, but that's no fun. So how are you all working that shift at high rpm so it doesn't try to buck you out of the car?

 

What kind of car?

It's odd that is bothering you. The 1-2 shift is the easiest of all of them. I usually have my foot on the floor, so I don't really feel much else besides rear g force.

 

I have to disagree with the gentleman above, because one thing I've learned from owning 3 different generations of Porsches is that the first to second shift is balky compared to some other brands of cars. I suggest a light touch and a two part shift through all the gears, otherwise you will end up paying for a rebuild. Caveman shifting ala Corvette will only bring you grief with a Porsche.

 

Sorry, it's a 7.2 GT3.

Right, I'm trying to avoid wearing things out. If I say shift out of 1st at 7k rpm and 2nd gear is around 4k rpm the engine doesn't slow down enough between a normal shift to match the revs. So if I shift anyway it's harsh and jerks around which is not only hard on the tranny but kills performance as it tries to recompose itself. I can either sit there with the clutch in and let the engine slow down, yawn, or let the clutch out slow and slip it a bunch which isn't good for the clutch. The other gear ratios are close enough that this isn't an issue.

The car is new to me, only 1250 miles on it. Not quite 'broke in,' but close enough. Just looking for suggestions.

 

My car has a light-weight flywheel, and revs down quickly because of it. I have no issue at all with the 1st to 2nd shift. I bought the car from a friend, and he already had installed the light-weight flywheel, so I don't know what it was like without it. I do know there are no issues with any upshifting.

 

i have owned 911's since 1972. after 9 different models, including my current .2 gt3, i have come to the conclusion that porsche designs their first gear ratio's as simply a means to get moving. after that, all is well. after all, when racing, 1st gear is never used. only drag racers use first gear for anything of value to their driving, not sports car drivers.

so who cares.

 

Fair enough.

Would you say to just let it be a brutal jerky shift at 7+k rpm or slip the clutch some to lessen it or just get out of frst at lower rpm where it's not as bad and forget it?

 

Get out of first sooner, use second and up for the real pulling.

 

That's what I'll keep doing then, thanks. This is my first Porsche so not all familiar with the ins and outs of the brand. The 1-2 shift on my last car wasn't an issue as it was an Ariel Atom and if you tried that at any respectable rpm you'd, well, die. Not much incentive to try it.

 

Agreed. The gear ratios are such that getting out of 1st as soon as possible is best. 2nd is where you'll really get your rear end pushed into the seat . That was the first advice I got from my Porsche friends.

 

I found this to be the case as well on my 997.1 GT3 - topping out first and shifting into 2nd quickly is difficult and not very smooth. After screwing up the first time I've only done it a handful of times.

Compared to the rest of the gears 1st is very short and it's too easy to hit the rev limiter or screw up the timing on the shift to 2nd. All the other shifts are fine though.

Luckily even if you shift out of 1st a couple thousand RPM sooner, 2nd pulls like a monster and that's where I have my fun on freeway onramps.