So I had a friend look at the way I was driving. He said that I lag between 1st and 2nd gear. He advised me to blip the throttle before letting off the clutch. How do you overcome this?

 

No, 1-2 shifts are always the most difficult to get right, it's normal to be slow there. It's all about timing, just go out and bang thru the gears over and over until you get it. Try it faster and faster, but not slamming the stick.

 

Why is the 1-2 shift so hard? Is it the engine mounts or something?

 

Well I don’t know what you mean by 1st to 2nd being so “hard” but I’ll try to help you out. For one the Evo has a very snappy clutch so you need to feel it out. For two the motor is designed to drop off rpms quickly under 3.7k rpm’s (emissions reason). Because the engine rpm’s drop so quickly in those conditions, when you shift it will feel like the car is surging forward because the clutch and engine are trying to catch up with each other. Now what your buddy told you about blipping the gas between shifts, it will help but will be annoying. A cure is to bring the rpm’s up to around 4k or more so it will keep the motor from dropping off rpm’s so quickly allowing you to get your “next” gear change. If you want to try something like what your buddy said, try engaging the clutch before you let off 100% throttle. That will “blip” the rpm’s up a little giving you time for the shift (but then again it will sound like you don’t know how to drive a manual). Need more detail for a better answer but I hope it helped.

 

just keep practicing...your not going to get it from day one....if u try "a better technique" you might end up breaking something...the evo isn't the easiest car in the world to drive. just keep trying, you shouldnt have to do anything...i've had the car for a few months now and i bang through all the gears snapping my neck on every shift..practice makes perfect...after you got it down...i suggest a short shifter..i went with the authority..its only 60$ at lancershop.com....now my shifts are crazzzzzzzzzzzy, and ill powershift from time to time on the track if i feel that my run is going to be "amazing" just to get that extra .000000000000000000001 off my time lol

good luck, dont worry about it wont happen over night, but what will happen overnight is a broken t/c or burnt clutch.... =-p