Horrible bog when shifting to 2nd (manual)

[Nataphen]

I just bought a 1.8 manual hatch for a commuter. I really like the car so far except for one major issue. When shifting from first to second gear, there is a huge bog in acceleration.

I was trying to figure it out tonight, and the gear spacing seems way too wide from 1-2, but all the other gears are just fine. When shifting to second, the RPM drops about 1500. When shifting to any other gear, RPM only drops by about 1000.

I know the car isn't going to be lightning quick, but this is really bad, no matter what RPM I shift at or what amount of throttle I'm giving. Is this normal?! I certainly hope not. Thank you for any help.

 

[Breezybro]

What rpm do you shift

 

[Nataphen]

I've tried it at low revs all the way to 6000+. Low throttle, full throttle, and anything in between. No matter what, it bogs badly. I even tried disabling TC and stability control just to rule that out.

 

[dannyg]

I've tried it at low revs all the way to 6000+. Low throttle, full throttle, and anything in between. No matter what, it bogs badly.

ONLY in second gear? Sounds odd to me. I've got a 5sp 1.8L like you (2015 LS sedan), I really like the shifting: smooth and easy in all gears. I'd have this checked out if I were you.

 

[Nataphen]

Thanks. I'm going to get it checked out. I'll post a YouTube video when I get off of work today so you can see what I'm talking about. Like I said, all the other gears seem fine. It's just that first to second shift.

 

[Nataphen]

http://youtu.be/Z6WrawqUOrw

Video is up. Sorry for the nasally voice. Lol

 

[n4yek]

You voice sounds fine to me,
1st gear engine rpms went to 4900
when you went to 2nd gear it dropped to 2800 and increased to 4500
when you went to 3rd gear it dropped to 3000.
That's only a 200 rpm difference between what 2nd gear starts at and what 3rd gear starts at.
Everything sounded fine to me, but driving it is a different story.

 

[Nataphen]

That's actually a 600RPM difference.

4900-2800=2100
4500-3000=1500

That's a pretty significant difference in gear spacing, but I was just trying to figure out if that's normal. If that's just how the car is, I'll have to live with it. If the RPM was about 600 higher when I went into second, that would probably keep it from bogging.

 

[hammrdwn510]

opcorn: for fuzzy math

N4yek is referring to rpm at begening of each gear shift:
1st ends at 4900
2nd starts at 2800
3rd starts at 3000
200 rpm difference

Sounds like op is referring to duration/range while in a particular gear
2nd: 2100
3rd 1500

Which I would assume is how gearing in transmissions work in general. The rpm reduce as you speed up and shift up thru the gearbox

I can't say if it's normal in a sonic since I have an auto

 

[Nataphen]

Yeah, sorry. We were looking at two different things there. I can try to take a WOT acceleration video later to see if that better demonstrates what I'm saying. I've already scheduled to take it in and see what the dealer says.

 

[dannyg]

What happens when you shift out of first gear at say 2500RPMs? I'm sure it doesn't go to zero! In my case it goes to around 1700, it varies a bit depending on how fast I shift.

I'm gentle on my clutch/shifter. Shifting around 2500RPMs, I'm averaging about 39-40MPG in rural driving. Happy with that...I only drop the hammer to pass the occasional log truck!

EDIT: I put in the wrong RPM, I meant to say 1700RPM not 1200RPM. Fixed.

 

[Breezybro]

Watching the video everything seemed fine. Maybe wot will look better

 

[Nataphen]

I've let a couple of people look at it, ride in it, and let one drive it, and I've been informed that I'm just spoiled. I'm looking into Trifecta's new 1.8 tune to help out a little bit.

Are there any minor bolt-ons that make a noticeable difference in low end power? I don't want an obnoxious exhaust, I need it to stay quiet. Intake and other parts that won't increase noise at cruise would be fine.

 

[Breezybro]

I like the lower end even if it's a little slow at times. With the 1.4 it's fun cause you're like "this is kinda sl...oooowwww woooahhh boost" lol

 

[Nataphen]

Haha! I strongly considered the turbo, but I figured that driving it 50k+ per year, and planning to keep it long term, I'd be better off in maintenance without it. Although, the extra fuel savings probably would've offset it. Oh well.

 

[cndctrdj]

the header on those makes a huge difference. also the tune. you could gain a lot from those two parts

 

[Nataphen]

Won't the header lose torque below 3000?

 

[xupthree60]

It is normal for the 1.8

1st gear is too short and 2nd is too tall. The gearing on the 1.4 is much better not only is 1st and 2nd not stupid but I think at 70 in 6th its like 1500 rpm when its 3k for us in 5th... Considering I can get over 40mpg on a full tank if I keep it at or under 55 I would say the only reason the 1.4 gets better millage is because you don't have to rev the piss out of 1st and the top gear is so tall.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[1.8 Handler]

I noticed the same thing when i got mine that the shift into second bogged the engine. Coming from a 2010 2SS Camaro it was a huge difference. I also think that the Sonic has torque or power management like most cars these days that kills power when shifting to prevent driveline damage but these cars make little power so IDK what it could break. Im thinking power management because 3/10 times ive shifted into second and it felt like a good shift no power loss.

 

[Nataphen]

Thank you for making me feel less crazy. Haha!

I've only ever had performance cars with a manual, this is my first economy car. I traded a modified 2013 Mustang GT in on this, so I knew it was going to be worlds different. It's good to see you have a similar thought when compared to your Camaro.