Experts: Pls Help!! Won't Go Into 3rd At Track...

[GUTSI]

Hi everyone....Now here's a post to which I "somewhat" know the answer to ....HOWEVER, I'm posting it here in hopes of actually pin-pointing the problem (of course it's here cuz this is something that ONLY happens at the track)....

The cars' a 95 Talon TSi AWD Turbo: full exhaust,intake,upper/lower pipes,greddy bov...AND the Symborski shifter plate bushings (and BTW, a very decent mod that has improved shift and shift-feel )...

Stock boost (around 14 psi....no MBC yet) and the car ran a best of 14.6, and here's why:

I launch at 5500, slipping the clutch.....Shift into 2nd around 6500.....THEN, at around 6500 again, I try to go into 3rd...and grind! But it grinds fast (like a very short abrupt grind noise) and doesnt go in at all! And I've tried several times....I've even tried it gently....mashed the clutch, put it in softly, just wont go in....period! I have to really let the rpm's drop a bit, then it goes in, and hence the ridiculous 14.6 timeslip.

My 60ft times have been consistent 1.81....and I kept blowing away a slightly modded WRX( just intake and exhaust), but every time that it wouldn't go into 3rd, he beat me and he finishes with a 14.2...

It's obvious I can propel this car into HIGH 13's, but flat 14's should be consistently easy....

Now, I know....synchros are probably worn (or wearing out, cuz it doesnt do it AT ALL during normal driving, OR if I punch it a little)...OR its the type of fluid: I'm currently using REDLINE Synthetic (could be part of the problem? Suggestions include replacing with a thicker fluid)....

I apologize bout the long post, but I thought i'd inform u guys in detail, and if there's someone out there with some positive feedback, I much appreciate it....

REMEMBER...it's not that it grinds going INTO 3rd, it grinds and wont go in....REALLY hurting my times at the track...PLS HELP!!

Thanks guys

 

[Laser93Nash]

Im no expert. . But I reccomend double clutching to see if that will work. You know, clutch and get out of gear, then clutch again then put it in gear. You get the idea. . If that wont work then I'd check into your clutch and possibly have your tranny looked at. Er atleast, that's what I'd do.

~Andrew~

 

[TurboDSM90]

Dont mean to state the obvious, but it SOUNDS like that 3rd gear synchro is toast. :thumbdown



On to the positives !

Hopefully your clutch is disengaging all the way inbetween shifts, and your Clutch master and Clutch slave cylinders are up to par. I would also reccomend the SS clutch line for added "UMPH".

I have never been fond of the redline stuff. In a worn arse tranny like mine(150K miles+) and numerous hard launches/hard shifting/etc., It is very sensitive to the fluid used. Stay away from mobil 1 and valvoline. If you don't rev high I would recommend the Penzoil synchromesh, GM Synchroshift, and BG synchroshift. If you do occaional Drag racing, throw in some Lucas stop slip(labeled for auto trannies but read closer), it works for grinding trannies too. Top off the lucas stuff with some of the previously reccomended fluids.

Aside from double checking your tranny oil/fluid (whatever some of you want to call it) level, make sure those cables are perfect. I have had issues like yours, not only to find my clutch cables were off, but my tranny bolts were loose(I know, dur! ).

Back to fluids- the Synergyn Synthetic tranny fluid works sweet. Bang the snot out of the gears and they will go in without a problem. I havent had an Issue with MAG 1 gear oil either. I find it "gets old" fast though.

The pro long stuff is a joke, its just brake fluid with the price tag of a rolex.

Dunno man, seems like its time to start tranny shopping...If this is your daily driver, I would stay away from racing until you get that thing in better shape.

Good Luck.

 

[GUTSI]

Thanx for the feedback guys ....Yes, I've heard that for the time being double-clutching will get it into gear....

As for checking the master cylinder and clutch cables, very interesting point...I will definately look into that......

A DSM mechanic recommends replacing the REDLINE stuff with some "shock-proof" tranny oil...

Any thoughts

Thanks again.....

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Moved to tranny forum.


P.S. Redline makes the Heavyweght shockproof gear oil this DSM mechanic is talking about.

 

[GUTSI]

Yeah...I thought i shoulda posted in here from the get-go

 

[Logue]

i have the redline shookproof heavy-weight in my awd and i have definitily noticed a difference. I was grinding second at the track. i went 14.2 missing second. it would only miss and grind at or above 5k rpms. i put this in and it still does grind ocassionally but not everytime like before definitily worth it...