What makes a transmission "slick"?

[Sonic]

All this talk lately about 6 speed manuals, what makes a 6 speed "slick"?

[Darkane]

Does not clunk
Feels buttery smooth
Feels like the gate you're shifting into is a catchers mit for a baseball
Throw is short
Feels "damped" in the sense the next gate is willing to accept the shift. Sort of like the glove
Gear ratios feel close enough to each other that the majority of shifts land in the driven gears engine speed. This is the primary reason a lot of manual lovers hate rev hang.

Could go on - but - see FG civic Si, S2000, and for something new a Gt350.

[max_boost]

Can't comment on other makes but the Honda 6 speed is pretty slick IMO

[Sonic]

Just wondering as my Z is the first 6 speed manual I've owned and having only driven a manual Honda Fit before to learn, I have no clue if this tranny is "slick" or not, mostly because I'm still getting used to it so my shifting is still not perfect especially 1st - 2nd gear...but ya, after that, I'd say it pretty buttery smooth feeling :D One of these days I'm going to try out one of these "slick" Honda 6 speeds everyone keeps talking about...

[J-hop]

Does not clunk
Feels buttery smooth
Feels like the gate you're shifting into is a catchers mit for a baseball
Throw is short
Feels "damped" in the sense the next gate is willing to accept the shift. Sort of like the glove
Gear ratios feel close enough to each other that the majority of shifts land in the driven gears engine speed. This is the primary reason a lot of manual lovers hate rev hang.

Could go on - but - see FG civic Si, S2000, and for something new a Gt350.

Yea drive by wire makes standards feel shitty. I drove a cable throttle car for 6 years before getting my first drive by wire car. Drove me insane. I eventually got used to it but a couple years ago I bought an older mustang with a cable throttle and again dbw on my daily is driving me crazy. I know you can get chips that remove the "economy feature" but that seems like a waste on an essentially stock car

[Chantastic]

I used to have a G35 coupe. I didn't mind the shifter setup but then I drove my brothers STI. The STI's setup made the G35 feel harsh and highlighted the need for excessive force for its clutch and shifter. Then when I got my RSX Type S, switching back into the STI felt like I was driving a cave mans car. Like a scalpel vs a club with a spike on the end. Then when going from the RSX to the G35, everytime I started the G35 I thought something had to be broken, it was so hard to operate. But after a while you just get used to it.

To tell you the truth I kind of miss the club sometimes.

[Sonic]

Ya I've been reading that my 370z manual is tough when starting out...I'm used to it now but I'm really curious to buy and try out the RJM clutch pedal...

http://www.rjmperformance.com/370z--g37-afp-clutch-pedal-assemblies.html

The only other manual car I have my eye on right now is a 2002-2003 Audi TT quattro for the winter...

[relyt92]

Ya I've been reading that my 370z manual is tough when starting out...I'm used to it now but I'm really curious to buy and try out the RJM clutch pedal...

http://www.rjmperformance.com/370z--g37-afp-clutch-pedal-assemblies.html

The only other manual car I have my eye on right now is a 2002-2003 Audi TT quattro for the winter...

On the 6MT G37 that's one of the most suggested modifications, supposed to be immensely better.

[Chantastic]

I had a RJM clutch pedal on my G35. It was a very well built product for a guy who does it himself. Easy adjustments too. I ended up setting mine to the softest setting, which also made it the shortest travel. It was a alot like an on and off switch, but it was alot easier to push the pedal in.

[Maxx Mazda]

You guys.... Granny shifting, not double-clutching when you should.

[Hallowed_point]

Darkane nailed it.

Slick = Honda civic Si

Not slick = Camaro T56 / Mustang T5

[legendboy]

All this talk lately about 6 speed manuals, what makes a 6 speed "slick"?

Design, high tolerance machined construction, rigid enclosure...etc..

[Darkane]

Design, high tolerance machined construction, rigid enclosure...etc..

But how does that equate to "feel"

[HiTempguy1]

But how does that equate to "feel"

From my perspective, feel translates to "the thing I am manipulating does what I want it to with little thought".

Tight tolerances with no flex insures that when using muscle memory (which when shifting, you certainly are) you don't need to think about shifting. Your thought is "next gear", you put the shifter where "next gear" should be, and it is done effortlessly in a fluid manner. FEEDBACK is important to feel (there should be a start and stop point to your shift movement).

A T56, for instance, is not a slick transmission (you're going to use a bit of force between shifts), but you definitely know where each gear is and if you got it in properly every time. But for a crappy comparison, a 93' civic 5 speed with a short shifter, you flick your wrist and its in and out, no questions asked with minimal effort.

My favourite shifting experiences seem to be Honda's. Worst is tough to say, but DSM's are awful.

[cam_wmh]

For this reason, I'd love to take a first gen NSX for a spin.

[legendboy]

They are slick