I would second all of that, except I'm not familiar with the "clutch restrictor". Can you elaborate on what that is and how to remove it? Thanks!

 

the restictor is basically a "pill" that lives in the cluch fluid line. It effectively limits how quickly the clutch can be engaged or disengaged by slowing fluid transfer from the clutch master cylinder to the slave cylinder.

I rolled over 3k on mine to day; and it sounds like I'm like most everyone else. No problems once warm, but after sitting all night at 20 degrees this thing shifts like a Mack truck for the first 5 miles or so, especally going into second. The trans act as a nice reminder not to be "naughty" until everything us up and warm.

 

I used to notice that my shifts were smoother if I held the clutch pedal down for a second before shifting into gear. The restrictor slows down both engagement and disengagement. I got tired of having to shift slow to avoid the slight grinds so I yanked it out.

An alternative to removing the restrictor all together is to bore it out.

You do have to be cautious with the way you launch if you remove the clutch restrictor though. High rpm clutch drops are a definitely no-no. The proper way to launch an AWD car is to do a quick slip. This won’t induce any shock loads down the driveline like a high rpm clutch drop.

 

It's felt great for a while now guys, hopefully it stays this way. Maybe I wasn't driving hard enough

 

I thought I was the only one with this kind of problem. I had this kind of feeling ever since I first got the car. At first, I thought it was just because the tranny was cold. However, sometimes it goes away after I've been driving for a while but sometimes it would come back again. I'm not sure what is the cause of it. I have been driving for 1200 miles now. It's a random problem for me. It could shift like crap for the first 10 min. of driving and then it would shift like silk and then back to crap again. It's very inconsistant. I think I'll take my car in and have the dealership take a look at it.

 

I am officially going on record as having some misgivings about second gear.

 

no problems with 3k+ miles in my MR

 

werd. I drove my old celica today, and even completely stock the transmission feels soooo much better than the MR's. The throw is shorter, the gears engage with more certainty, and there's zero snagging or grind. It takes more effort to move (the MR's teflon coated cables have the advantage there), but I can row through the gears like nobody's business, with zero clunkiness.

So far I've tried changing the under shifter bushings (improved final engagement), changing the transmission oil to Redline MT-90 (much improved feel when cold), and adjusting the clutch push rod (no more grind). I'm still planning on installing an engine torque damper (reduce engine movement), trying Synchromesh oil, polyurethane under hood bushings, and I'm dying for a short shifter.

All the vendors that say there's no market for a short shifter need to be told that all the EVO IX will use the same six speed too.

 

Try installing a SS clutch line and removing the clutch restrictor. This greatly improves shifting.