Not sure what you are experiencing, but you may want to install a solid front motor mount since it's a cheap/easy mod and it improves shifting since the motor is moving a lot less every time you hit the clutch. It makes shifting much nicer, it was one of the first things I did to my car. You'll get a tad more vibration at idle that can be felt through the steering wheel, but after awhile you don't even realize it's there...

 

Let it drop about a 1000 rpm before going on second gear. In general, Evo 5 speed drops about 1000 rpm every gear with the exception of 4th to 5th, which is around 1200 rpm.

You let it drop about a 1000 so output tranny shaft can match input tranny shaft.

To make it clear, if you're 1st @ 3500, and then you're goind second gear. You should time it so so your clutch engages at ~2500 and you're already in second.....let it drop about 1000 between the shift.

 

i agree....try staying on the clutch a little longer/letting it out slower. just play around you'll get it eventually

 

so those motor mounts really do help that much? i come from driving an ls1 and didnt even think about those motor mounts doing much wow ill have to get some.

 

Less clutch time, faster shifting. The RPMs are dropping lower than they are supposed to be for the next gear. The Evo drops revs faster than most. This is why you didn't do it in the other cars you drove. I shift pretty quick in normal driving and DON'T feather the clutch between shifts, relying on timing to get smooth shifts. I'll try and get a video if someone will host.

 

motor mount helps a lot! after I install my first lower front one, big difference....
then I replace the cam gear side and the one under batter. I love it.

evo is sensitive car, compare to other stick shift car it doesn't drive as friendly until you are used to it.
I know a girl, she has a 05 MR and she hate driving it then she bought a civic SI and he loves the way it drives.

 

I've owned a number of manual trans cars, and the Evo is one of the most challenging to shift smoothly. Part of the reason is that it's geared to be quick. I think that about all you can do is keep practicing, which isn't all bad. Is your clutch is in good shape?

I agree with those who suggest solid motor mounts. The stock ones are way too soft, allowing the motor to move around quite a bit. I put in a front motor mount and it was one of the best mods I've made. Huge difference - much smoother shifting, no more clunking sounds when backing up, easier to drive slow when it's cold. I plan on changing side mounts too. A bit more vibration, but well worth it.

Shifter bushings were an improvement too, but not like the motor mount.

 

Some things that helped me shift smoother at lower RPMs was to let of the gas slow and smooth. Then don't depress the clutch all the way just enough to disengage then use a quick throw on the lever and back on the gas slow and smooth. Evo's have a lot of drive train lash so smooth throttle inputs are key.

 

What exactly do you mean by buck? When does it do it when you put the clutch in or when you let it out?

 

thanks for the tips guys. i might look into a motor mount. and cfdfireman, its when i let the clutch out. i know my clutch is in good shape havent beaten on my SE at all.

 

Watch your tach as you let your clutch out if it jumps up when you let it out you're shifting to slow, if it goes down too fast. Lower RPM shifts in lower gears help also no need to rev to redline unless you're racing. Maybe you need to beat on your car a bit to break in the clutch. Solid motor mounts are going to make you feel this "buck" even more, the stock ones are soft for a reason.