jbrennen

iTrader: (1)

Try 40 MPH.

As for autocrossing... when I first started autoXing the Evo, I did use first gear. I found that I was almost always faster staying in 2nd gear.

That's not to say that 1st gear can't occasionally be useful when autoXing, but with the courses that I've run, some 15 to 20 different events this year, I can think of one corner where I suspect that a downshift to 1st might have been worthwhile.

And by the way, my Evo shifted down to first without complaint at speeds I would estimate around 25 MPH... It did require some force to push the selector into the gate -- making the synchros work a bit -- but there was no grinding.

4G63>OOOO

iTrader: (1)

Low miles or not, he's beating the hell out of it on a regular basis autocrossing, so it's likely he killed a mount.

titaniumkingpin

iTrader: (10)

my evo has 18k miles on it and i have tried once to put it into 1st gear while going about 8-10mph. It grinded. Whenever i slightly push the shifter to first while still rolling, it doesn't want me to go in until i am completely stopped. I remember in my other cars it would allow me to easily go into first while still rolling. I guess its the car. I would suggest just not to try it again, rev matching or double clutching. let us know what the dealership says.

simevo

iTrader: (1)

I have no problem going into first at 10mph. It just slips right in. I could even go into first from 20mph but above that you hear the syncros working hard.

Stock clutch with 23K miles. But I did put in Redline MT-90 for the tranny. I wonder if it's the fluid or I just have a good tranny.

the-moss

iTrader: (3)

There is a first gear corner out by my parents house, about 150 degree lefthander with downhill entrance, off-camber (usually gravel covered) apex, uphill exit... I shift into 1st to hit this corner, otherwise I am exiting at about 1,500rpm in second, that reminds you what lag is, uphill in second at 1,500rpm...

I have no problem getting it into first probably at about 25mph-ish.

Edit : I engage the gear at about 25mph, but don't re-engage the clutch until probably 10-15mph.

m3charles

iTrader: (1)

just some random information....

when in first gear, the speeds reached while in powerband (3500-6500 rpm) are 19.6-36.4 mph

when in second, in the same rev range speed is 29.4-54.7 mph

SO, if you want to be in the power range,full turbo boost, for anything 19-29 mph, you'd need first.

IF you were doing 20 mph in second, you'd be at 2374 rpm. thats not in power.

BUT in first, at the same 20 mph rpm would be 3567. smack in perfect rev range

i used a simple formula to get these #'s, using gear ratios, mathmatically.

RPM x Tire diameter / rear end ratio x gear ratio x 336

that clear it up for anyone?
unless "first gear" is made of a different metal than the other 4, using it in its proper rev range can be quite rewarding.