I learned how to drive stick on my EVO. I have 23k miles on it now and no problems yet..although I sometimes hear an odd noise coming from my clutch when I downshift into 2nd. Anyone know what it might be? It's hard to explain the noise but the best way I can describe it is it sounds like if you would drag a heavy metal tool box for example across other metal..like a "Buurrr" sound.

 

+1 .... also press the clutch completely down and hold it down between shifts ...

 

You really should learn on some junk heap car first imo

 

Fins...mine does that too. I've heard it's the throwout bearing making noise. Now I always rev match and I don't slip the clutch on downshifts. I have a friend with an '05 and his doesn't do it, so I dunno, maybe it's just an '03/04 issue. But that pretty much taught me to rev match at all times (blipping the throttle on downshifts) and I double clutch whenever possible.

 

hahahaha thanks, the basic concept is easy. i dont kill my car at every light or anything. im just trying to refine my driving cause i dont wanna hurt my car or drop another 750 on a clutch combo. but lets see your nephew do a 13.4 pass

 

another thing if i shift above 3500 - 4000 i hear a clunk when i let the clutch out. is this my u-joints? what could be making this noise?

 

not sure what the clunk is, I am now starting to get a clank when I shift in reverse. I don't want to bring the car to the dealer, but I might have to. I will be in MN for the next 21 days, do you know of any mod friendly dealers??

 

If you are going to stop like that just put the car in neutral and take your foot off the clutch. It basically performs the same function just less time on the pedal. You wont wear out the clutch either way, but its easier on you.

 

as long as it does wear out my act plate im not worried about it

 

I’ll give you props also for asking this question.

Much of the excessive ware I see really comes from inexperience driving a manual trans/high horsepower/AWD automobile. If you know anyone that’s a very experienced driver… I’d spend plenty of time riding along with them.

My stock clutch has lasted 43,000 miles, with mods, and with occasional 5500rpm launches on the street and track. I’m getting a new aftermarket clutch next week. That’s all I’m gonna get out of the stock clutch.

When you drive normally (daily driving) you can get the car rolling below 2000rpm. You don’t need to take it any higher when trying to engage in first gear. When shifting (normally to second gear) do so at (or slightly below) 3000rpm. When you engage second gear, you’ll be doing so between 2000 and 2500rpms. There will be very little stress on the clutch, and it should be very easy for you to engage (with barely any slippage.) This will also help you to get used to clutch engagement and greatly extend the life of your clutch.

Someone else already stated that it’s very difficult to give you “all” the advice you need over the internet for your shifting. But I do know one thing… if I had this car when I was 20 years old, I would’ve worn through the clutch at a few thousand miles too and I wouldn’t have known why.

I’m much older now , and experience is a really, really, big factor. Most of the problems I see are with inexperienced, or younger drivers. But like I said… if you can find a good, experienced driver that you can trust, shadow him for a little while. Some of his experience should rub off on you.