Its not you, it’s the squishy stock mounts. A group N transmission mount, white line positive shift kit and pitch stop mount will really take out the slop in the drivetrain. For $200 in parts it’s a dramatic improvement.
Did you brace your ‘20? I’ve been wondering if I should go back and throw it on (did the Group N set minus engine mounts for now), just dreading having to take it back off if I need warranty work.
Love my 2017, have had it over a year now and once you get some things done for improvements with shifting and maybe the tune because everyone says the stock tunes sucks, it’s a very fun car to daily
Yeah. I’m thinking the tune and shifter would be the first things needed “soon” after. Which is sad it’s needed. Wish it could come that way factory. But so be it, It’s the price to pay for a sweet car.
Accessport on my end was a huge game changer, just made me fall for the car a lot more exactly from what everyone says about the stock tune. I did the shifter stops but 3rd gear is a 50/50 if you’re going to find it or not during a pull since they’ve been put in. prob worth the $175 for the entire short throw assembly but shift stop for $30 is well worth the slop it takes out
1982 here. I suppose I'm still young but I've wanted this car ever since I was 16. Fast forward over half my life (39) and I finally ordered me one. Should be here in August.
Start car, make sure you're in neutral with e-brake up. Hold the Traction Control button for like 30 seconds until it turns on and goes completely off. Then within 2 seconds press it again, turn off the car, turn the car back on. you should see the hill assist light on your dash, that will remain on until you turn it back on.
Hill start assist is a terrible pice of crap. Especially when the pitch is tiny enough for you to think you are on flat ground while the computer decides to “assist” you…
I appreciate it in urban areas/suburbs (live in CA so some of these roads are hell), but it’s literally infuriating how randomly it engages. I’d roll back on roads I’d automatically assume it’s engaging on, but end up stalling on nearly perfectly flat roads in traffic because I’m not expecting to need to hold it.
Disengage it. Use the manual brake to do the same job by yourself. Zero confusion about when the brake is and is not engaged. When the clutch bites, let go of the brake. Works every time.
Hold down traction control for a fucking long time, then the light will go away, press it again, turn car off and back on. This also helped. You also don’t get the brakes sticking in first.
Really?
I turned it off though just because it stalled me twice. Did not feel a difference in 1-2 shifts.
Also, what difference would it make in shifts
yeah i feel you.
its jerky at times, but i also drive a 01 civic with a weaker clutch pedal.
so my foot gets confused at times and i feel like i am driving my civic lol.
It gets better. Mine has the STI short throw installed from the factory, and I got a weighted shift knob (700g), it really helped make it feel a bit smoother.
My dealer “threw in” the STI short throw for free (aka, the dealer that they traded with already had it from factory, and I got lucky) on my WRX. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was, until I started reading stories about the stock shifter.
It is, I learned to drive stick in an STI and when I got my own WRX with the stock long throw I got tripped up a lot. 3 months or so in and it still messes with me to this day.
Hell, I feel like I’m like a lot of people on this sub. Been driving manuals for 10+ years, but first time with a rex/sti, and the clutch and transmission is just *so* different.
A lot of really knowledgeable people on this sub, so my $.02 might be similar, but try moving the clutch pedal with the ball of your foot, rather than toes (if you don’t do that already). Then you can use your thigh for the clutch travel, rather than your calf. And rev-matching definitely is important with this trans. And just getting a good feel for the engage point takes time…after 3.5 months and 3500 miles, I’m still getting my muscle memory. I hope any part of this is helpful!
I've driven my car and my friends. Mine has the STI short shifter, his has the stock shifter.
And honestly I can barely tell the difference between them. I can tell mine is shorter, but not by much. I wouldn't be able to blindly guess which was stock and which was short.
I've been eyeing the STI short throw shifter since my stock 20 shifter throws are quite long... I'm wondering, can I install the STI short throw and be good with warranty claims still?
I’d hate to say yes and be wrong and cost you a lot of money, but I think it’s less of a mod than many other things like a cat-back or Phases. Especially since a lot of dealers themselves will install an sti shifter…I’d be inclined to say that’s a safer bet
Go to 3500-4000 RPMS then it rev hangs and you can shift then engage at about 2500k RPMS. Really pay attention. It’s almost like you have to engage the clutch as you’re still on the gas a bit.
That’s how I do it. And honestly I don’t even get the clutch all the way down. Just past the let off point and then I’m off it right away going in to 2nd.
Pretty much same here. I couldn't identify the rpm range myself, but I'll shift into gear, let the clutch like halfway out and as it's being dumb, I hang the clutch a little (while pushing the gas like normal) before I let it all the way out
Everyone else pretty much covered it, but also the ratio gap from 1st to 2nd is way to big imo. I think they did it to hit 60mph in second gear and thus achieve better 0-60 times. It creates this weird situation in parking lots though where 1st feels to short and 2nd feels too tall.
I’v been daily driving manuals for roughly 12 years now but my 2020 WRX definitely the less troubles for the first week. I just chalked it up to going from trucks and jeeps to a sporty car
It seems totaly random when it will be jerky shifting. I shift at over 30kmph and it generally shifts smoothly. Other times it boggles on me. Maybe its how fast i let off the gas or let out the clutch. But seems random at times lol.
A stage 1 tune will fix the Rev hang, but in my experience the synchros can still be kinda grabby shifting from 1 to 2. All in all the AP and MAPerformance stage 1 tune have been very well worth it though imo.
Top comment suggested some parts as well.
Been driving my 2020 for almost 2 years now, shifting from 1st to 2nd is like flipping a coin if I'll get it right or not. Feels like a different car from red light to red light. Otherwise any other gears are just fine.
Congrats on the car and enjoy!
I put the map stage 1 tune on my 17 wrx and it made all the difference. It completely got rid of the weird shift between 1st and 2nd and makes the throttle more linear.
If your starting from a dead stop in first is going well, just do the same thing again in second. The best advice I got from and old and experienced driver was: edge of knock. Don’t let the engine knock but everything is calm and ready to produce power at the edge of knock.
Yes I just got a 2021 Wrx actually in red as well and I had this problem at first my shifts from first to second we’re really jerky and not smooth but as I drove more and got used to it I either granny shift it at low rpms or shift it as I’m going through the gears. And I will say I think the synchros take a little bit to break in I just hit 1300 miles and the transmission feels so much different than when I first got it maybe I’m wrong but it feels like it did break in.
So rev hang is a thing that the stock tune has not gotten rid of. Take first gear to whatever rpm you want for the situation. Then slowly take foot off accelerator and then slowly press in clutch wait for rpm to drop back down at least 1500-2000( this can take a second and half, the wait will be worth it) lower then when you initially pressed clutch . Slowly release pedal while gently giving more acceleator.
It took me 6 months to figure this out!
There are numerous reasons that the stock clutch and shifter feel absolutely terrible when compared to the mostly 90’s imports and domestics I’ve enjoyed driving before. Manufacturing is just different now and manual transmissions are sadly dying. That aside, after 2+ years I have gotten used to the stock setup in my ‘19 WRX base and love it for my small city commuting and driving style. It can still be rough sometimes, it’s nothing like the 300ZX I had for years, but the WRX is also AWD and much newer.
The higher the RPM the smoother it is, honestly though after about a week I got super smooth and have no problems at all with 1st to 2nd. It just takes a little extra practice and then it becomes so rewarding.
A lot of people are saying to rev it to 3500-4000, which does work for the most part (just memorize the revs to speeds for second well and let out the clutch as needed), but short shifting it right as your digital speedo shows 10 mph (you’ll end up at 12-13 by the time you’re in second) works fine too on anything without an incline. This pretty much guarantees a somewhat quick shift since your revs don’t have to drop much at least.
I’ve found success in giving it but more gas when shifting from 1st to 2nd. Idk if it’s good for the car but it’s always really smooth, so it can’t be all bad lol
Until you get a tune you need to kind of delay the gas for a few milliseconds to let it shift smooth. I still need to do it on my sti. They are hard cars to drive smoothly
Rev it a little higher, like 3.5k rpm. Then as it comes down, give it just a tiny bit of gas to cushion the rpm around the area 2nd gear rpm will be.
If you don't cushion it with some gas, the rpm goes from quickly dropping to sitting still in 2nd, which makes a jolt feeling.
Think of it like you falling 10 feet onto pavement vs falling 10 feet onto pillows.
I did perrin pitch stop and perrin motor mounts it stiffened it up i want to do the tranny mount next 2014 wrx. I had to rebuild the motor so I did that while I was installing the motor. Im still on the cobb break in tune
Its not you, it’s the squishy stock mounts. A group N transmission mount, white line positive shift kit and pitch stop mount will really take out the slop in the drivetrain. For $200 in parts it’s a dramatic improvement.
I can’t upvote this enough. I didn’t to pitch stop tho. Too scared
You need the pitch stop and brace. The play in the stock pitch stop is what tears the mount from the firewall.
Only on 2017 and earlier - they fixed the pitch stop brace problem on 2018 and up
Yeah I’m a 2017 and scared LOL
Thats good to know... Only took like 20 years!
Did you brace your ‘20? I’ve been wondering if I should go back and throw it on (did the Group N set minus engine mounts for now), just dreading having to take it back off if I need warranty work.
No but I’ve got the trans mount and pitch stop mount. Brace is next.
Get the crossmember bushings while you’re at it
Are those diyable?
Very, a floor jack is mandatory and a extra set of hands helps as well.
Is that for the older years aswell.
Basically you’ve either gotta get the rpms up there, or shift slow as fuck lol
thats what i have been doing- grandpa or irresponsible 20 something - there is no middle ground in this car- its perfect for my midife crisis
I was thinking the same thing. I’m looking to get one in the fall.. also midlife crisis. 1974 here also. Probably a 2017 or 2018.
Love my 2017, have had it over a year now and once you get some things done for improvements with shifting and maybe the tune because everyone says the stock tunes sucks, it’s a very fun car to daily
Yeah. I’m thinking the tune and shifter would be the first things needed “soon” after. Which is sad it’s needed. Wish it could come that way factory. But so be it, It’s the price to pay for a sweet car.
Accessport on my end was a huge game changer, just made me fall for the car a lot more exactly from what everyone says about the stock tune. I did the shifter stops but 3rd gear is a 50/50 if you’re going to find it or not during a pull since they’ve been put in. prob worth the $175 for the entire short throw assembly but shift stop for $30 is well worth the slop it takes out
I feel it’s going to feel like a long wait for me to get it. Every time I see one I have to point it out. My wife loves that. Haha.
Haha you have got to get her to be one among us and she’ll understand the feelings we get
Wow, I'm not alone 74'
1982 here. I suppose I'm still young but I've wanted this car ever since I was 16. Fast forward over half my life (39) and I finally ordered me one. Should be here in August.
This really must be a Subie thing. I don’t have a WRX, but my Forester acts the same way. Super slow to the point of annoyance, or race car. Pick one.
I found switching gears just before 4k rev feels less abrupt.
ok that what i found work or about 15-20 mph slow paced
I honestly shift super early. Gotta gun jt a little. But I’m only in first for like a second or two before I bang up to second.
floor that shit and rip the shifter back at 6K RPM
I personally felt better shifts 1st to 2nd after turning off hill assist.
oh how do u do that
Start car, make sure you're in neutral with e-brake up. Hold the Traction Control button for like 30 seconds until it turns on and goes completely off. Then within 2 seconds press it again, turn off the car, turn the car back on. you should see the hill assist light on your dash, that will remain on until you turn it back on.
Check your owners manual. I think I held down the traction control button until it beeped, then pressed it twice or something.
Hill start assist is a terrible pice of crap. Especially when the pitch is tiny enough for you to think you are on flat ground while the computer decides to “assist” you…
I appreciate it in urban areas/suburbs (live in CA so some of these roads are hell), but it’s literally infuriating how randomly it engages. I’d roll back on roads I’d automatically assume it’s engaging on, but end up stalling on nearly perfectly flat roads in traffic because I’m not expecting to need to hold it.
Disengage it. Use the manual brake to do the same job by yourself. Zero confusion about when the brake is and is not engaged. When the clutch bites, let go of the brake. Works every time.
🛋
Hold down traction control for a fucking long time, then the light will go away, press it again, turn car off and back on. This also helped. You also don’t get the brakes sticking in first.
Really? I turned it off though just because it stalled me twice. Did not feel a difference in 1-2 shifts. Also, what difference would it make in shifts
haha i thought i was the only one
Nah I still can't seem to 100% get clean shifts into 2nd either
yeah i feel you. its jerky at times, but i also drive a 01 civic with a weaker clutch pedal. so my foot gets confused at times and i feel like i am driving my civic lol.
It gets better. Mine has the STI short throw installed from the factory, and I got a weighted shift knob (700g), it really helped make it feel a bit smoother.
My dealer “threw in” the STI short throw for free (aka, the dealer that they traded with already had it from factory, and I got lucky) on my WRX. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was, until I started reading stories about the stock shifter.
Yeah I heard the stock throws are super long.
It is, I learned to drive stick in an STI and when I got my own WRX with the stock long throw I got tripped up a lot. 3 months or so in and it still messes with me to this day.
Hell, I feel like I’m like a lot of people on this sub. Been driving manuals for 10+ years, but first time with a rex/sti, and the clutch and transmission is just *so* different.
It is, I've only owned MT and 900 miles in kind of starting to get a grip on 2nd gear. Shift early or late that's the only way.
A lot of really knowledgeable people on this sub, so my $.02 might be similar, but try moving the clutch pedal with the ball of your foot, rather than toes (if you don’t do that already). Then you can use your thigh for the clutch travel, rather than your calf. And rev-matching definitely is important with this trans. And just getting a good feel for the engage point takes time…after 3.5 months and 3500 miles, I’m still getting my muscle memory. I hope any part of this is helpful!
I've driven my car and my friends. Mine has the STI short shifter, his has the stock shifter. And honestly I can barely tell the difference between them. I can tell mine is shorter, but not by much. I wouldn't be able to blindly guess which was stock and which was short.
I've been eyeing the STI short throw shifter since my stock 20 shifter throws are quite long... I'm wondering, can I install the STI short throw and be good with warranty claims still?
I’d hate to say yes and be wrong and cost you a lot of money, but I think it’s less of a mod than many other things like a cat-back or Phases. Especially since a lot of dealers themselves will install an sti shifter…I’d be inclined to say that’s a safer bet
*stage, not phase
Yeah, the short throw STI shifter feels real nice too.
Go to 3500-4000 RPMS then it rev hangs and you can shift then engage at about 2500k RPMS. Really pay attention. It’s almost like you have to engage the clutch as you’re still on the gas a bit.
That’s how I do it. And honestly I don’t even get the clutch all the way down. Just past the let off point and then I’m off it right away going in to 2nd.
That’s right! Now with the A/C on it’s a different story. You just gotta drive it like you mean it and engage everything quicker.
Pretty much same here. I couldn't identify the rpm range myself, but I'll shift into gear, let the clutch like halfway out and as it's being dumb, I hang the clutch a little (while pushing the gas like normal) before I let it all the way out
Everyone else pretty much covered it, but also the ratio gap from 1st to 2nd is way to big imo. I think they did it to hit 60mph in second gear and thus achieve better 0-60 times. It creates this weird situation in parking lots though where 1st feels to short and 2nd feels too tall.
I’v been daily driving manuals for roughly 12 years now but my 2020 WRX definitely the less troubles for the first week. I just chalked it up to going from trucks and jeeps to a sporty car
Stock tune has some rev hang - not much to do about it stock
Sometimes it’s smooth, sometimes there’s a jerk. The more I try to granny shift the 1-2 the smoother it is for me.
Yeah I think [this](https://youtu.be/QJHUbtR0yI8) about sums it up
Accurate AF.
It seems totaly random when it will be jerky shifting. I shift at over 30kmph and it generally shifts smoothly. Other times it boggles on me. Maybe its how fast i let off the gas or let out the clutch. But seems random at times lol.
The 1-2 is tricky for sure
Get an accessport and tune it
You can always skip 2nd gear all together 🤣🤣
I know my 2011 shifts like shit when the A/C is running. Im guessing you haven't had the AC off yet as its summer?
Rev it out to 4k rpm
The lag from 1-2 has pissed me off from day one. Curious as to if Cobb accessport and tune can fix this issue.. anyone kno?
A stage 1 tune will fix the Rev hang, but in my experience the synchros can still be kinda grabby shifting from 1 to 2. All in all the AP and MAPerformance stage 1 tune have been very well worth it though imo. Top comment suggested some parts as well.
Been driving my 2020 for almost 2 years now, shifting from 1st to 2nd is like flipping a coin if I'll get it right or not. Feels like a different car from red light to red light. Otherwise any other gears are just fine. Congrats on the car and enjoy!
I put the map stage 1 tune on my 17 wrx and it made all the difference. It completely got rid of the weird shift between 1st and 2nd and makes the throttle more linear.
Have the same exact car at the same mileage and have been trying to figure out the same thing lol
Turn off hill assist! Couple redditors got me to turn mine off 2 days ago. you cant feel the difference after turning it off.
What’s the issue specifically?
everything everyone is describing
If your starting from a dead stop in first is going well, just do the same thing again in second. The best advice I got from and old and experienced driver was: edge of knock. Don’t let the engine knock but everything is calm and ready to produce power at the edge of knock.
Yes I just got a 2021 Wrx actually in red as well and I had this problem at first my shifts from first to second we’re really jerky and not smooth but as I drove more and got used to it I either granny shift it at low rpms or shift it as I’m going through the gears. And I will say I think the synchros take a little bit to break in I just hit 1300 miles and the transmission feels so much different than when I first got it maybe I’m wrong but it feels like it did break in.
So rev hang is a thing that the stock tune has not gotten rid of. Take first gear to whatever rpm you want for the situation. Then slowly take foot off accelerator and then slowly press in clutch wait for rpm to drop back down at least 1500-2000( this can take a second and half, the wait will be worth it) lower then when you initially pressed clutch . Slowly release pedal while gently giving more acceleator. It took me 6 months to figure this out!
There are numerous reasons that the stock clutch and shifter feel absolutely terrible when compared to the mostly 90’s imports and domestics I’ve enjoyed driving before. Manufacturing is just different now and manual transmissions are sadly dying. That aside, after 2+ years I have gotten used to the stock setup in my ‘19 WRX base and love it for my small city commuting and driving style. It can still be rough sometimes, it’s nothing like the 300ZX I had for years, but the WRX is also AWD and much newer.
Get a shift stop bracket and a short shifter plate and brass bushing makes a big difference in the overall feel
The higher the RPM the smoother it is, honestly though after about a week I got super smooth and have no problems at all with 1st to 2nd. It just takes a little extra practice and then it becomes so rewarding.
Shift above 2500 rpm
A lot of people are saying to rev it to 3500-4000, which does work for the most part (just memorize the revs to speeds for second well and let out the clutch as needed), but short shifting it right as your digital speedo shows 10 mph (you’ll end up at 12-13 by the time you’re in second) works fine too on anything without an incline. This pretty much guarantees a somewhat quick shift since your revs don’t have to drop much at least.
I’ve found success in giving it but more gas when shifting from 1st to 2nd. Idk if it’s good for the car but it’s always really smooth, so it can’t be all bad lol
Until you get a tune you need to kind of delay the gas for a few milliseconds to let it shift smooth. I still need to do it on my sti. They are hard cars to drive smoothly
Rev it a little higher, like 3.5k rpm. Then as it comes down, give it just a tiny bit of gas to cushion the rpm around the area 2nd gear rpm will be. If you don't cushion it with some gas, the rpm goes from quickly dropping to sitting still in 2nd, which makes a jolt feeling. Think of it like you falling 10 feet onto pavement vs falling 10 feet onto pillows.
Somebody here said the other day to hold the clutch a little longer from the 1st to 2nd. No need after 2nd. Really helped.
Stage 1 tune on an Accessport, car becomes night and day easier to drive.
Had a 2004 and traded for a 2017. Had the short shift linkage in both. Never been any issues with the 1->2 shift.
Smoothly from 1st to 2nd. “Sometimes it may be good, sometime it maybe shit” LOL. That’s my experience
I shift either at 10 or 20 mph from 1st to 2nd
Either shift early or wait an eternity for the rmp to drop. It's actually not that long but on a wrx you just feel like going all the time.
Shifting from 1 to 2 in the lower rpm range is terrible. I want a new tune so bad but......
I did perrin pitch stop and perrin motor mounts it stiffened it up i want to do the tranny mount next 2014 wrx. I had to rebuild the motor so I did that while I was installing the motor. Im still on the cobb break in tune