The T5 Manual Tranny on my 86 IROC (36k original miles) is shifting a little rough. I know to put it in reverse you first have to put it in forst, but while driving, the shift from 1 -> 2 -> 3 is not exactly smooth.

I have driven Chevy's Ford's and Nissan's with a 5-speed mated to an I4 and all were smoother, even my old '86 Tempo when I was in college.

Is there something quick and simple I should check like tranny fluid level? When I shift I am pressing the clutch to the floor.

 

It's almost impossible for the trans itself to cause that. It's something to do with the clutch. For whatever reason, either the clutch is failing to release completely, or some part of it has failed.

Has it been worked on lately? Did this happen suddenly, or has it been slowly getting this way?

 

I just got the car a few days ago. The previous owner did not drive it much in the 3 years she owned it (I drove it a year ago -- same issue).

Shifting is smooth from 3 -> 4 -> 5 and when down shifting. It's just the upshift while accelerating. I'm wondering if it is also my foot work.

 

did you check the hydraulic clutch fluid level?

also i had a similar prob on my rs, but mine had trouble from a stop going into 1st from N, and would grind in reverse, unless i turned the car off first.
the t-5 uses ATF, i suggest using synthetic ATF, mine is perfectly smooth now