problems with the 1-2 powershift

kene79 · 07-26-2009, 11:50 AM

my car wont engage 2nd on a powershift. it doesnt grind but it just feels like there is a wall blocking the gear. i asked my mechanic and he doesnt know either. he says it might be the linkage but was unsure. he also said maybe its controlled by the ecu to not let it engage at redline. he specializes in hondas. at first i thought it was user error as i have ruled that out since i even had someone else try and fail. plus i tried so many times. i have been powershifting since i was 17 and im 30 now so i could say i was good at it. i have never had so much trouble until this car. (fg2). i cant tell the dealer 2nd wont engage on a redline powershift cuz then they wont fix it if somethings broke. what do you guys think the problem can be?

superbike81 · 07-26-2009, 11:53 AM

This has been posted a bunch of times before. It's normal in your car.

VTXFrank · 07-26-2009, 11:54 AM

If you search the forums, you'll find this has been discussed multiple times. Don't try to powershift 2nd too much. Stay around 7500RPM on powershifts if you must PS 2nd. Otherwise, a nice, smooth shift into 2nd at redline will be the best you can hope for to be consistently on the shifts.

kene79 · 07-26-2009, 12:06 PM

^then if i shift at 7500 wouldnt i be losing time and momentum into 2nd. the tach will drop below vtec going into 2nd. then i might as well shift at 8200 and not powershift 2nd if thats the case

superbike81 · 07-26-2009, 12:07 PM

It's just the 1-2 shift, it doesn't like being shifting at redline 1-2. You can't do anything about it except shift at a lower RPM.

kene79 · 07-26-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbike81

It's just the 1-2 shift, it doesn't like being shifting at redline 1-2. You can't do anything about it except shift at a lower RPM.

then howcome some people can powersfift at redline into 2nd and others cant

superbike81 · 07-26-2009, 12:12 PM

I haven't heard of anyone who can. All I've ever read on this site is that you don't shift 1-2 at redline.

hron13 · 07-26-2009, 01:29 PM

So wait, are you powershifting, as in, shifting without letting off the gas (which is what powershifting is...) or are you just trying to shift as fast as possible... Just trying to clarify. if you are REALLY trying to powershift (once again, No lift shift) then your an idiot, and you deserve the chunks of metal in your trans case, but if youre not, then just take it easy, shift slow enough to not grenade your trans, but quick enough to stay in VTAK.

08 civic si · 07-26-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kene79

my car wont engage 2nd on a powershift. it doesnt grind but it just feels like there is a wall blocking the gear. i asked my mechanic and he doesnt know either. he says it might be the linkage but was unsure. he also said maybe its controlled by the ecu to not let it engage at redline. he specializes in hondas. at first i thought it was user error as i have ruled that out since i even had someone else try and fail. plus i tried so many times. i have been powershifting since i was 17 and im 30 now so i could say i was good at it. i have never had so much trouble until this car. (fg2). i cant tell the dealer 2nd wont engage on a redline powershift cuz then they wont fix it if somethings broke. what do you guys think the problem can be?

I know what you mean. I have the same problem on my si. Just don't shift it as fast and it wont grind. Thats how i do it. But I don't redline the **** out of it for it to bother me as much.

Shooter McGavin · 07-26-2009, 02:03 PM

I don't know why there are so many idiots on here who think that powershifting isn't going to damage their transmissions. It may not happen right away, but eventually through wear and tear, it's gonna cause damage. And all of that for what?.....a few tenths of a second in the quarter mile.... ROTFL. If you want to go faster, buy a faster car or more performance mods. Don't beat the **** out of your daily driver for a few tenths of a second, unless of course your a total toolbag, then go ahead and powershift all day.

Buffalo Sabres · 07-26-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbike81

I haven't heard of anyone who can. All I've ever read on this site is that you don't shift 1-2 at redline.

I can powershift second at redline. Never had any problem.

LoverOfCivics · 07-26-2009, 02:14 PM

yes i also know alot of 8th gens that do it no problem.

blipes06si · 07-26-2009, 02:23 PM

just my 2 cents...You have to decide if the possible destruction of your trans and cost to fix it is worth the time your saving down the track? Can you afford for your dd to break and be out of commission? Enjoy the car for what it is and dont abuse it. Slow your shifts. I have that same "wall" feeling in my car on the 1-2 shift. There was another member who suggested what he called a "light hand" method. Dont try to slam into second gear, try to feel it out with a light hand and you can feel when that "wall" goes away and you can then shift into second as fast as possible. Trying to shift before the "wall" goes away will just cause mis-shifts and eventually grinding. Trust me.

miketat594 · 07-26-2009, 02:29 PM

you can shift 1 and 2 at redline but you cant powershift, you need to full clutch, just learn to shift quick through 1 and 2 and power 3 on the rest of the way..

kene79 · 07-26-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hron13

So wait, are you powershifting, as in, shifting without letting off the gas (which is what powershifting is...) or are you just trying to shift as fast as possible... Just trying to clarify. if you are REALLY trying to powershift (once again, No lift shift) then your an idiot, and you deserve the chunks of metal in your trans case, but if youre not, then just take it easy, shift slow enough to not grenade your trans, but quick enough to stay in VTAK.

no lift shift

kene79 · 07-26-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoverOfCivics

yes i also know alot of 8th gens that do it no problem.

whats the reason behind it

kene79 · 07-26-2009, 04:18 PM

look this guy can do it, then why cant we. did he do something to his car?

YouTube - Civic Si '07 TEST RUN 3

SWRT · 07-26-2009, 11:48 PM

The reason the 1-2 is tough to power shift is due to the large change in ratio between 1 and 2 and the fact that the synchro (which is carbon on 2 and 3 I believe) isn't designed for such rapid engagement.

Honestly dude, power shifting is for losers. These kinds of post are what Honda laughs at when after reading another thread about guys complaining about problems with 3rd gear.

Learn to shift with the clutch and a lift. Check out this vid:
LINK
Fast forward to 2:50, the red Civic that passes, you can hear the shifts, thats clutch and lift. No respectable driver power shifts.

Unfortunately I don't have links to in car from that or the other (#41) Civic, luckily they're plenty loud enough that in car from other cars illustrates my point.

Power shifting is for wankers... don't do it. If you want to no-lift-shift... get an automatic.

-SWRT

udumkid · 07-27-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWRT

The reason the 1-2 is tough to power shift is due to the large change in ratio between 1 and 2 and the fact that the synchro (which is carbon on 2 and 3 I believe) isn't designed for such rapid engagement.

Honestly dude, power shifting is for losers. These kinds of post are what Honda laughs at when after reading another thread about guys complaining about problems with 3rd gear.

Learn to shift with the clutch and a lift. Check out this vid:
LINK
Fast forward to 2:50, the red Civic that passes, you can hear the shifts, thats clutch and lift. No respectable driver power shifts.

Unfortunately I don't have links to in car from that or the other (#41) Civic, luckily they're plenty loud enough that in car from other cars illustrates my point.

Power shifting is for wankers... don't do it. If you want to no-lift-shift... get an automatic.

-SWRT

Power shifting all gears, some people just need practice....

And on a different car:

SOHC all motor hatch..

-udumkid

kene79 · 07-27-2009, 12:29 AM

^ ok you shift really good. thats how i have always shifted in my other cars, but my si is more complicated. say i practice some more and keep hitting that 2nd gear wall whats the worst that can happen. will i break something? does this kind of car require learning to powershift the 1-2 all over again? i mean i can powershift 3,4,5 no problem but 2nd is where i have problems. did your car always let you ps into 2nd or did you have the same problems i have now and you had to practice some more. i need all the help i can get.

07-26-2009, 11:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
kene79 Senior Member Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: In Hell Posts: 1,498 Kene	problems with the 1-2 powershift my car wont engage 2nd on a powershift. it doesnt grind but it just feels like there is a wall blocking the gear. i asked my mechanic and he doesnt know either. he says it might be the linkage but was unsure. he also said maybe its controlled by the ecu to not let it engage at redline. he specializes in hondas. at first i thought it was user error as i have ruled that out since i even had someone else try and fail. plus i tried so many times. i have been powershifting since i was 17 and im 30 now so i could say i was good at it. i have never had so much trouble until this car. (fg2). i cant tell the dealer 2nd wont engage on a redline powershift cuz then they wont fix it if somethings broke. what do you guys think the problem can be?
	Tweet

07-26-2009, 12:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
kene79 Senior Member Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: In Hell Posts: 1,498 Kene	^then if i shift at 7500 wouldnt i be losing time and momentum into 2nd. the tach will drop below vtec going into 2nd. then i might as well shift at 8200 and not powershift 2nd if thats the case Last edited by kene79; 07-26-2009 at 12:10 PM.

07-26-2009, 04:18 PM	#17 (permalink)
kene79 Senior Member Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: In Hell Posts: 1,498 Kene	look this guy can do it, then why cant we. did he do something to his car? YouTube - Civic Si '07 TEST RUN 3 Last edited by kene79; 07-27-2009 at 12:30 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
how to powershift	swiader	Autocross & Sanctioned Drag Racing	98	06-08-2011 11:40 AM
H.I.D problems	fatdsm	Lighting, H.I.D.'s, & Neon	20	02-21-2009 01:38 AM
Powershift	Asif22	Autocross & Sanctioned Drag Racing	25	09-03-2008 05:57 PM
How many powershift at the Track?	slvrSI2.0	Autocross & Sanctioned Drag Racing	45	05-31-2008 09:28 PM
help, little problems.	joohanie	Mechanical Problems & Technical Chat	6	05-09-2008 05:47 PM

07-26-2009, 11:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
superbike81 Senior Member Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Japan Age: 31 Posts: 8,234 Jason	This has been posted a bunch of times before. It's normal in your car.

07-26-2009, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
VTXFrank Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Rucker, AL Age: 42 Posts: 1,571 Tom	If you search the forums, you'll find this has been discussed multiple times. Don't try to powershift 2nd too much. Stay around 7500RPM on powershifts if you must PS 2nd. Otherwise, a nice, smooth shift into 2nd at redline will be the best you can hope for to be consistently on the shifts.

07-26-2009, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
superbike81 Senior Member Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Japan Age: 31 Posts: 8,234 Jason	It's just the 1-2 shift, it doesn't like being shifting at redline 1-2. You can't do anything about it except shift at a lower RPM.

07-26-2009, 12:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
superbike81 Senior Member Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Japan Age: 31 Posts: 8,234 Jason	I haven't heard of anyone who can. All I've ever read on this site is that you don't shift 1-2 at redline.

07-26-2009, 01:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
hron13 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sandy eggo Posts: 267 james crap....	So wait, are you powershifting, as in, shifting without letting off the gas (which is what powershifting is...) or are you just trying to shift as fast as possible... Just trying to clarify. if you are REALLY trying to powershift (once again, No lift shift) then your an idiot, and you deserve the chunks of metal in your trans case, but if youre not, then just take it easy, shift slow enough to not grenade your trans, but quick enough to stay in VTAK.

07-26-2009, 02:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Shooter McGavin Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fountain Springs, PA Posts: 138 Barry	I don't know why there are so many idiots on here who think that powershifting isn't going to damage their transmissions. It may not happen right away, but eventually through wear and tear, it's gonna cause damage. And all of that for what?.....a few tenths of a second in the quarter mile.... ROTFL. If you want to go faster, buy a faster car or more performance mods. Don't beat the **** out of your daily driver for a few tenths of a second, unless of course your a total toolbag, then go ahead and powershift all day.

07-26-2009, 02:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
LoverOfCivics Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The DFW Age: 22 Posts: 2,416 J.P.	yes i also know alot of 8th gens that do it no problem.

07-26-2009, 02:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
blipes06si Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 126 Brian	just my 2 cents...You have to decide if the possible destruction of your trans and cost to fix it is worth the time your saving down the track? Can you afford for your dd to break and be out of commission? Enjoy the car for what it is and dont abuse it. Slow your shifts. I have that same "wall" feeling in my car on the 1-2 shift. There was another member who suggested what he called a "light hand" method. Dont try to slam into second gear, try to feel it out with a light hand and you can feel when that "wall" goes away and you can then shift into second as fast as possible. Trying to shift before the "wall" goes away will just cause mis-shifts and eventually grinding. Trust me.

07-26-2009, 02:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
miketat594 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Middletown Posts: 2,143 Mike	you can shift 1 and 2 at redline but you cant powershift, you need to full clutch, just learn to shift quick through 1 and 2 and power 3 on the rest of the way..

07-26-2009, 11:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
SWRT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 46 Posts: 345	The reason the 1-2 is tough to power shift is due to the large change in ratio between 1 and 2 and the fact that the synchro (which is carbon on 2 and 3 I believe) isn't designed for such rapid engagement. Honestly dude, power shifting is for losers. These kinds of post are what Honda laughs at when after reading another thread about guys complaining about problems with 3rd gear. Learn to shift with the clutch and a lift. Check out this vid: LINK Fast forward to 2:50, the red Civic that passes, you can hear the shifts, thats clutch and lift. No respectable driver power shifts. Unfortunately I don't have links to in car from that or the other (#41) Civic, luckily they're plenty loud enough that in car from other cars illustrates my point. Power shifting is for wankers... don't do it. If you want to no-lift-shift... get an automatic. -SWRT

07-27-2009, 12:29 AM	#20 (permalink)
kene79 Senior Member Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: In Hell Posts: 1,498 Kene	^ ok you shift really good. thats how i have always shifted in my other cars, but my si is more complicated. say i practice some more and keep hitting that 2nd gear wall whats the worst that can happen. will i break something? does this kind of car require learning to powershift the 1-2 all over again? i mean i can powershift 3,4,5 no problem but 2nd is where i have problems. did your car always let you ps into 2nd or did you have the same problems i have now and you had to practice some more. i need all the help i can get.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
8th Generation Honda Civic Forum Advertisement