GR86 Manual Gearbox - Observations

[FS1819]

Having driven the car for about 750 miles now, I can't help to notice some details of the manual gearbox. This is my first manual car, and so please correct me if some of these are common. I have only driven a manual Fiesta before this. There is already another thread about the quirky clutch, so I will keep this thread only about the gearbox.

The gear shift knob is quite a good size and the shift feel is precise and tactile. However, in first gear at higher RPMs, I noticed the gear shift knob wobbles front and back a little bit. You can feel it more if you put your hand on the knob. This doesn't seem to occur in other gears. When driving off in the cold car, the second gear can feel difficult to shift into. When shifting to third, there can be a slight play felt in the powertrain as you engage the gear. Fourth, fifth, and sixth gear feel fine, but I can't help wishing the sixth gear could be a bit taller for lower engine RPM at cruise. Driving at 70mph, the engine RPM is about 4000RPM in fifth, and about 3000RPM in sixth. Luckily my commute is mostly on 50mph roads, which yields around 34.6mpg for me.

Also, when parked on a slope, it can be difficult sometimes to engage first or reverse. Consequently, I might have to put it into first when the slope is downhill and vice versa.

Do you agree with my observations? Would you have some more of your own?

 

[Conscript]

Pretty much the same observations about the gearbox as me. But rest assured these are all perfectly normal. Remember, the transmission sits almost directly below the gear lever, with very little to isolate it from your knob (ffnaaarr!) which is why it feels precise and tactile...but of course you'll feel a bit more mechanical feedback from the drivetrain.

If you're feeling a little play sometimes, there might be mods which can improve that. If it's the same as it's predecessor, the transmission is mounted to the body through a rubber bush underneath the car. Whiteline and Superpro made poly inserts which could be mounted in the bush to stiffen it up a bit (ffnaaarr!), which made the shift even more direct. The trade off is much more gear whine becomes audible though.

Second gear being a little stuff when cold is also normal....it was a common complaint with the old car, I've found it hugely improved now though.

Not experienced difficultly to shift while on a hill but I could just be used to it. And as for the gearing, I don't think it's unusual...every 4 cylinder petrol manual I've ever driven has cruised at 3K RPM in top gear.

Personally I think it's fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyable to drive

 

[midlife_sportscar]

Also, when parked on a slope, it can be difficult sometimes to engage first or reverse. Consequently, I might have to put it into first when the slope is downhill and vice versa.

Not yet driven any flavour of 86 so I can't comment on its specifics, but when setting off from a standstill with a manual box you'll sometimes find the gears wont mesh because they're just not aligned.

A couple of tricks to help are:

Pick another gear - when my Fiesta won't go in reverse, I select first, then back to reverse and it slots straight in. I don't lift the clutch in first gear, just into gear and out again.​

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Lift the clutch briefly in neutral and try again - this rotates the input shaft and will likely allow the gears to mesh.​

When you feel the lever hasn't gone fully in, partially engage the clutch - again this rotates the input shaft and it will drop into gear, but this is a bit harder to do 'nicely' especially if you're new to manual boxes.​

 

[mackie]

The only manual I've had with a very tall 6th was a Monaro which did 70mph at around 1600rpm! It had basically zero acceleration in that gear though but meant it was a very relaxed long distance machine - not surprising given it hailed from Australia.

Proper longitudinal cars with the gearbox in the tunnel always tend to feel more mechanical as there's far less stuff between the gear knob and the shift forks. I've only put 100 miles on my GR86 so far but I'd say it feels pretty good, nice short positive throw and certainly not unrefined when compared to other RWD cars I've had (Monaro, Z4, Mk2 MX5)

 

[v8s]

not surprising given it hailed from Australia.

I can imagine it getting tiring buzzing along at 3krpm

 

[Raiden61]

The only manual I've had with a very tall 6th was a Monaro which did 70mph at around 1600rpm! It had basically zero acceleration in that gear though but meant it was a very relaxed long distance machine - not surprising given it hailed from Australia.

Proper longitudinal cars with the gearbox in the tunnel always tend to feel more mechanical as there's far less stuff between you and the gear knob. I've only put 100 miles on my GR86 so far but I'd say it feels pretty good, nice short positive through and certainly not unrefined when compared to other RWD cars I've had (Monaro, Z4, Mk2 MX5)

Can second the ridiculous gearing in the Monaro. The reason I sold mine!

 

[Stardus.]

I had a lot of issues with the clutch before I installed the throttle pedal spacer. Now it's much easier to set off smoother for me, kinda a bonus as I only did this mod to help with the heel & toe placements.

I guess the very low throttle pedals was throwing me off, compared to the Honda manuals I am used to.

 

[FS1819]

Does anyone feel that’s 1st gear feels a bit rubbery when you shift into it? All the other gears feel firm and confident when shifted into, but there’s an often cushioning feel in 1st. It would feel firm and confident if you shift into N and into 1st again. Also, I can see and feel the shifted wobbling as I shift out of 1st. It doesn’t really happen in other gears. Do you guys also have this obervation?

 

[Conscript]

Does anyone feel that’s 1st gear feels a bit rubbery when you shift into it? All the other gears feel firm and confident when shifted into, but there’s an often cushioning feel in 1st. It would feel firm and confident if you shift into N and into 1st again. Also, I can see and feel the shifted wobbling as I shift out of 1st. It doesn’t really happen in other gears. Do you guys also have this obervation?

Can't say I have to be honest. The gearshift feels great to me. Next time I drive I'll try and pay more attention when shifting down to first.