Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Down Shifting

I personally don't downshift to help slow down (using the engine as a brake) anymore since I got this car, because it is much harder on the syncros to downshift as it is for upshifting. Also, to me, brakes are much cheaper and easier to replace than the clutch, so I only downshift when I need to bring the rpm up for acceleration or do low-speed downshift (where the rpms won't climb to high stessing on the syncros). And when I am downshifting to accelerate, I usually rise the rpms with the throttle at the same time as I'm finding the lower gear I seek. And I got 130,000 miles on my clutch AND syncros and my trans and clutch still work like new, and I drive my car hard everywhere.

draonbreth32 - What I meant to say is that my normal driving technique, double clutching when downshifting, but NOT heel-toeing will not win any autocrosses. I would think that if you are really racing, heel-toeing is something you would need to know. (I have never autocrossed. You make it sound like they do a good job of making everything even for various cars.) I mentioned the Altima because I didn't want anyone snapping off power shifts or trying to heel-toe in order to make up for a large horsepower deficit (45 HP or so vs. the Altima V6). This would just lead to a Contour with a bad drivetrain.

Learning to double-clutch or to heel-toe is great. Just practice this art safely and don't expect it to turn your SVT into a Vette. Or you might end up with a car that performs like a CheVette.

Dave 98 SVT
former cars: 78 Chevette, 89 Probe GT (over 100,000 miles on original clutch), 93 RX-7

Thanks for the advice!
I have been matching revs just out of necessity for a smooth shift, even though I had no idea what I was doing. I have been a passenger in manual cars and have seen the driver downshift smoothly but was not sure exactly what was going on with the foot work.
I guess just like anything else it will take practice.


Now the Altima, I think we have to accept the fact that the car is fast, and is faster then probably 98% of current cars produced under $25k. By putting the csvt down because it cant out accelerate an Altima is b.s., our cars will hang pretty tough with that other 98% category.
Also a new fully optioned v6 Altima is close to $30k, our cars new were more in the 4cyl price range!

duker:

If you've still got the origional clutch in that probe, you'be gotta be doing something right. I can only hope I can get my clutch to last that long.

Where do you live? You oughta go check out an autocross some time. It's a blast. I haven't raced since the end of last season, so I'm real slow right now, but I'm working back up to it.

Go to SCCA.org and follow the links for SOLO II and find your region. There'll be a website with event times and places. I've got a race either this weekend or next, I can't remember.

Peace

Jed

i had been practicing this for a while. i cant totally get it. i've gotten good at pulling it out of 3rd gear without clutch when slowing to get to my street then sliding into 2nd without clutch. on the hwy, if i'm in 5th and need more power to pass someone i will gas it to get the rpms up above 4-4.5k then put it into 4th w/ the clutch. the easy part for me is pulling it out of gear when braking and still being able to quickly slide it into the next lower gear (if need be).

so how can i calculate the up down for any gear? is there a mathemical way besides just feeling it?