I don't know if anyone else with a stock 02 Lancer has this problem, but when I shift hard, my car likes to bounce or jerk excessively. I mean I know the car is not performance oriented in its stock format but it is friggin rediculous. I mean there is no real problem but I want it to shift smooth and crisp like my 240sx does. I was thinking of buying struts and lowering springs for it to help with the shaking and bouncing. And I was also thinking about getting that steel braided clutch line that RRM offers for it so as to bypass the mechanism they said makes the clutch feel soft. I was told that it causes premature clutch failure though. Anyone know about that? Does anyone have a better idea as far as making my car shift better? The clutch isn't warn out or anything, but maybe if I put a better one in????

 

Shift better so you don't create drivetrain shock?

Seriously, you're looking at mods that won't fix the problem.
Clutch line = better pedal feel
Shocks = car smoothness

Motor mounts might be your best bet. The motor is probably bouncing all around on the cheap rubber mounts. When you shift hard, the massive change in RPMs is shocking the drivetrain and throwing everything off.

 

high RPMS and u let off the gas before u push in the clutch you will create bounce/jerk

but i dont know how u drive your car

 

Well, I'm no raceing acadamy graduate but I have driven many standards very fast and I have my speed shifting down. I used to drive around in a '87 Chrysler Conquest TSI(Starion for those who don't know). I perfected my speed shifting in that car as well as tought myself the fine points of drifting in that car. Now granted my Lancer is no turbo, RWD, track champ, but it still shifts sloppy. If you ride the clutch a tiny bit there are no problems but I drive cars all day long at work and my car shouldn't be so jerky when I let off the clutch.

Thought, about the possibility of changing the motor mounts, but then again the suspension is so soft, the whole car does a jerk/bounce when I shift so I'm thinking it would also benefit me to put some stiffer struts in it.

Has anybody had any problems with the RRM steel braided clutch line? Pros, cons???

 

How long have you had your car? All cars shift differently, maybe you just need to get used to it

 

You could do every shifter/tranny mod in the book but the best solution for your problem is just giving yourself more time to get used to the engagement point of your car's clutch.

 

I'm thinking it's excessive engine movement....

 

First thing to try would be the motor mounts or the torque damper...

 

*sigh*

You said it yourself. You're trying to shift an econobox like a racecar. It will never work.

Clutch line is a fine mod, but it just stiffens the pedal feel. It won't help your problem at all. You seem determined to induce drivetrain shock onto a weak drivetrain. There's no fix for that.

Moving on...

 

Has anybody tried Energy Suspension engine mounts on the Lancers? I know Autozone sells their stuff now, I might see about doing that.

Really since I posted this I have actually come to the conclusion that it shifts worse at lower RPMs. It's not that I'm not use to it. I have put around 10,000 miles on it since I bought it back in January. I think what I'm gonna do is try stiffer engine mounts and the RRM clutch line. The clutch pedal is so friggan soft you can't tell with your feet when it is engaging... in most cars I've driven you can to some degree. I know it sounds crazy but trust me on that. So I am thinking that steel braided clutch line will probably help me out a lot. And if these things don't work then I'll just dump the money for a tighter suspension and a much better clutch. By GOD if a 10 year old stock Civic shifts smoother and crisper than my Lancer something is wrong!!

 

Buy some stiff motor mounts, enough said.

 

I have the same problem. I think it has to do with me sucking at driving standard, and possible because I seriously need some new tires or something. In my car I can feel every little bump I drive over and my car is always "bouncy" however everyone is saying my shocks are fine. Man I hate being a car noob. Anyone in phx want to help me understand what is going on in my car??

 

If you shift like crap, that is more than likely causing it. i have seen a lot of people who shift as fast as they can on a stock tranny. the gears arent that close, sorry bud. you have to time it right. also, learning how to heel-toe is a good idea as well. the lancer's pedals are set up perfect for it. I have an 02 OZ and ive never had a problem with jerking as long as i wasnt shifting like an ***. if that doesnt fix it, THEN worry about motor mounts.

 

I dont try to drive fast or crazy, I just shift how I think I should shift. No one really taught my how to drive stick, I bought the car and learned on my own. If anyone in phx area is up to helping me drive stick better and save me from getting an automatic as my next car that would be cool!

 

the best way to learn is doing. experiment. It took me months to learn how to go from both feet on the floor in nuetral at a light to a smooth takeoff before the cars behind me start honking. . or not killing it while trying to cross a busy intersection.

as far as the actual shift points you need to feel your car. you also need to know what the difference is between each gear when shifting. for example in my 02 oz i know that it is roughly a 2k rop from 1st to 2nd. so when i shift, i watch the tach and let the clutch out as the needle gets 2k below where i shifted. then i continue douing that to each gear. if you do it with the radio off you will eventaully learn to do it by sound. then constant practice from there on out and you will be able to do it by timing and feel. im not saying i shift like butter EVERY time, but wihtout looking at the tach i can shift without shaking the car. in fact, most of the time it doesnt even feel like i shifted.

try watching the rpm difference between gears and trying what i said. try to let the clutch out at the right spot so that the gears are synched with the engine. this will make drivetrain shock non existent.