Shifting Problems - Lost to a CIVIC!!!

[DnDs00GTS]

I just bought a 2000 Celica GTS with the 6 speed a few days ago. Anyway, I was going about 45 mph in 5th when somebody in a civic pulled up next to me wanting to race. I threw the stick really fast into 2nd, but it wouldn't go in!!! It didn't grind or anything, it just wouldn't go in. I ended up losing to a civic ex!! ERRRR! Anyway, I tried downshifting again from 45 a few times afterwards... still the same thing. I tried one more time except this time, i shifted slower... and it was fine!! Am I supposed to shift slowly? I had a 99 civic si, and I used to be able to downshift to 2nd really fast!!! Please let me know if there's a problem with my celica or if this is normal!

[Spec GTS]

did u rev match?

[DnDs00GTS]

Yes, I did Rev Match

[DarthCelica]

I've had the same problem just trying to downshift from 3rd anytime the car is going more than 40 mph. I happen to have a 2000 GT-S too. Sounds like this is another common celica problem.

[bagodoosh]

you mite be hitting the reverse gate.

[rocket celica]

Learn to drive man! What is this. How can u not shift into 2nd. you need to use more force.


try this!---Double clutching
take foot off of clutch.
blip your gas (Rev up to 7k depending on speed.)
push in clutch hold onto it and throw into 2nd.
ease off the clutch.

with a civic, granted it's not an SI, you'll still outbeat him accelerating in higher gears. Sounds like it took you longer time fumbling around than it would have just gasing from the gear you were.





Originally posted by DnDs00GTS
I just bought a 2000 Celica GTS with the 6 speed a few days ago. Anyway, I was going about 45 mph in 5th when somebody in a civic pulled up next to me wanting to race. I threw the stick really fast into 2nd, but it wouldn't go in!!! It didn't grind or anything, it just wouldn't go in. I ended up losing to a civic ex!! ERRRR! Anyway, I tried downshifting again from 45 a few times afterwards... still the same thing. I tried one more time except this time, i shifted slower... and it was fine!! Am I supposed to shift slowly? I had a 99 civic si, and I used to be able to downshift to 2nd really fast!!! Please let me know if there's a problem with my celica or if this is normal!

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by bagodoosh
you mite be hitting the reverse gate.
While trying to shift into second?!?

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by DnDs00GTS
Am I supposed to shift slowly? I had a 99 civic si, and I used to be able to downshift to 2nd really fast!!!
Welcome to the world of the GTS 6-speed tranny. Do you ever get a grind when going into second? Sounds like possibly a bad synchro.

[LaW]

sounds like a problem that i don't have in my 2k celica :)

[Willis5050]

Sorry, sounds like driver error. And you *may* be hitting the reverse gate by compensating too far to the left while in neutral. Just give yourself some time with the closer ratio six-speed and you will be fine. It probably wasn't as much the fact that you were shifting slowly as that you were concentrating on it. It will soon become second nature.

[X-EVIL-X]

might be your clutch.
i had a problem getting into second when i had my worn out clutch.
it just wouldn't go in.
how many miles you have on your car?
i got a new clutch and never miss second now...

[rocket celica]

There is nothing wrong with GTS tranny. It's one of the better trannys I've had pleasure driving.
Those who have grinding and such are limited in no. and due to excessive wear and tear. try double clutching, it's a much smoother expereience and you don't have to worry about synchros becoming bad anytime soon



Originally posted by yakkosmurf

Welcome to the world of the GTS 6-speed tranny. Do you ever get a grind when going into second? Sounds like possibly a bad synchro.

[CheezeFrog]

How is he supposed to double clutch when the shifter won't go into the gate to begin with?

[rocket celica]

It sounds like driver error since he says he can put it in, when he shifts slower. He just got the car, so he'll just need to practice abit to get the hang of it.

[DnDs00GTS]

Thanks for all the info guys. I really appreciate it. I think the problem is just me. I'm probably still used to my SI. I have another question, though... Can you guys chirp the tires when upshifting to 2nd with your stock clutch. Cuz no matter how hard and fast i shift, i can't do it!!! Thanks again for all your help.

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by CheezeFrog
How is he supposed to double clutch when the shifter won't go into the gate to begin with?
That's what I was wondering...

[t2000gts]

Originally posted by yakkosmurf

While trying to shift into second?!?

i think he meant the phantom gear thing. with the pattern like this:

R 1 3 5
|_|_|_|
   |  |  |
   2 4 6

you can aim for 2 and miss and hit that "phantom" gear under reverse.

to chirp/spin your tires on 1->2 upshift, give it gas before you let go of clutch.

[Brett]

I can chirp second and third. On my old messed up tranny I could only chrip second on a blue moon. Might be synchros?

[ishido]

"you need to use more force." that's probably why he couldn't shift into 2nd in the first place.

The damned Reverse gate is in a bad spot. If you pull too far to the left it'll get stuck in the "dead spot." I ran into this a couple times running in autoX while in a turn. No grind or anything, just shifted into a dead end. Once I started pulling straight back (from 1st) it shifted fine.

Get a feel for where the Reverse dead spot is. Intentionally go into it, and then go where you need to be. It's not very far from 2nd.

[DnDs00GTS]

Originally posted by ishido
"you need to use more force." that's probably why he couldn't shift into 2nd in the first place.

The damned Reverse gate is in a bad spot. If you pull too far to the left it'll get stuck in the "dead spot." I ran into this a couple times running in autoX while in a turn. No grind or anything, just shifted into a dead end. Once I started pulling straight back (from 1st) it shifted fine.

Get a feel for where the Reverse dead spot is. Intentionally go into it, and then go where you need to be. It's not very far from 2nd.

I think that's what it was!!! I was shifting into the "dead spot!" Since my Si was a normal 5 spd. i never had to worry about that. All I'd have to do is pull it all the way left and then down and slam it in!!! I still can't chirp the tires in 2nd, though no matter how much gas I give before releasing the clutch!!!

[ArchangelX]

Trust me bud, just practice, and practice some more.

Just learn the gears, and don't go rushing..you've had your car for how long?

A FEW DAYS AGO. WOAH. Didn't see that till now...

Trust me man..do NOT go racing just yet...give yourself about a month and then you'll be fine most likely. That's the same way a slew of other owners did their mis-shifts.

Because they rushed...

Be smart about it, man...please for all of us.

[mac340]

yep i have done that a few times myself, just have to make sure you dont pull back and towards yourself when going to 2nd and also the type of road surface your on my effect wether your tires will chirp easily or not.

[acilecdps6]

This is a very interesting problem, some people miss 4th and go into 2nd (at high speeds) without a problem, thus turning their engine into mush, and here we have someone unable to go into second. What gives?