Anyone Master Downshift Rev-Matching

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by san rensho

I'm not recommending double clutching, my method uses the clutch just once, just blip as you are going through neutral. Its no slower than putting it in the lower gear first, then blipping, it actually faster, you are doing two things at once, blipping the throttle and moving the gear shift.

And blipping while going through neutral does save a modern synchro mesh tranny. Even with the clutch depressed, there is some drag in the clutch and blipping the throttle while in neutral will spin up the input shaft some, which means the synchro has to do less work.

I'm pretty much positive I'm over-thinking this...but I have to ask: When you're doing this your way (blipping as you are going through neutral---presumably you're talking about the instant before down-shifting), do you again blip as you release the clutch? Or is it just one longish blip that both meshes the synchros (as you down-shift) and makes for a smooth transition as the clutch is released in the lower gear?

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I'm pretty much positive I'm over-thinking this...but I have to ask: When you're doing this your way (blipping as you are going through neutral---presumably you're talking about the instant before down-shifting), do you again blip as you release the clutch? Or is it just one longish blip that both meshes the synchros (as you down-shift) and makes for a smooth transition as the clutch is released in the lower gear?

Its just one blip. Essentially, I'm doing two things at once, blipping and shifting. As soon as I put the clutch in I blip, at the same time, I'm also moving the gearshift to downshift.

[Frodo]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[shadrach74]

Frodo,

You will get a feel for it. On occasion, I will blip the throttle a second time if the situation warrants it.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Its just one blip. Essentially, I'm doing two things at once, blipping and shifting. As soon as I put the clutch in I blip, at the same time, I'm also moving the gearshift to downshift.

Yep if you can blip to cover the synchro and clutch engagement everytime you have got it down.....when I am on the track under pressure in heavy work zones and am worried about balky shifts I blip coming through neutral to make sure the lever moves into gear and another for the clutch...this is usually for 2nd. The revs stay up nicely but I am likely slower for it

I will start trying a longer blip to cover both a bit more in those cases

[grubinski]

I find it helpful to make sure the throttle is at least cracked open a bit (not fully closed, even if you are still braking) as you let the clutch out. That way, if you have missed slightly low on the revs when you blipped, you don't upset the car with engine braking due to a closed throttle in the lower gear.