[2BADD 4U]

Third gear is the toughest of all gears to hit fast. I found it hard to hit it fast with the stock shifter. I put in an MGW GRIPPER and it works MUCH better. The gates on the linkages are very close. If you watch the shifter handle(with your hand off and away from the handle) under heavy acceleration in 2nd gear, you will see that the shift handle actually flexes to the right....up to 1 inch or so. This is normal as the motor torque is twisting on the motor mounts. The common motor mount that breaks is the left one. Here is a tip...while sitting in your garage, place the shifter in 3rd. gear, and eyeball the shifter knob against something on the dash...for me it lines up between the 2 heater control knobs. This is your aiming point when shifting fast for 3rd...Try it it works well.

Most misses into 3rd, happen because we overshoot the 3rd. gear gate and get caught between 3rd, and 5th. or end up directly in 5th. Do not slam it into 3rd. Shift fast but with a more smooth fluid motion. Also put your hand on the back of the knob and push your palm forward when going for 3rd. Eyeballing those heater knobs..... And don't forget to shift for 4th with your thumb DOWN...this will prevent you from accidently going from 3rd. to 2nd. which will be trouble.

AND YES...it can be a tranny mount, and or a motor mount causing more twist and torque of the shift handle. Remember the shift handle flexes with good mounts. Just watch it.......in 1st and 2nd gear. You will see what I am refering too.

Dave