i remember reading a post that says I should up shift in order of the gears. but is this true for downshifting?

 

If you don't want to risk over-reving then yes.

 

but would it hurt the synchros like it does when i upshift out of order?

 

Upshifting out of order shouldn't hurt the synchros so long as you give the transmission a moment to spin down before pushing the shifter into place. Normally, if you just shift based on pressure rather than displacement of the shifter you won't hurt anything. By shift on pressure I mean you move the lever so it's lined up with the gate. You then push the shifter forward with only moderate pressure. The shifter will not slot into gear immediately but will instead feel like it is waiting until it's ready to slide into place. Once the syncrhos have done their jobs the lever almost falls into place. It doesn't make for a fast shift but it is easy on the gearbox.

Downshifting out of order is fine. The only issue is you run a greater risk of over reving but that isn't an issue if you are going say 60mph in 6th and decide to downshift to 3rd. It will likely require a rev match but rowing through 5th and 4th isn't going to help much anyway.

Basically one of the benefits of an H-pattern box is the ability to directly shift into what ever gear you want. Just keep in mind that the bigger the difference in speed between the gears, the wheels and the engine (the three things that need to mesh up to get into gear) the harder it is on the clutch and synchros to do their respective jobs.

 

I read somewhere that the car should be downshifted in order as well. I think it was on Mitchell. I'll try to dig it up. (but don't hold your breath)

 

double clutch...

 

^ Double clutching with a rev match (attempt is all you need) will reduce synchro wear if you want to shift out of order (up or down).

 

[QUOTE=rockville,Dec 11 2008, 08:01 PM] Upshifting out of order shouldn't hurt the synchros so long as you give the transmission a moment to spin down before pushing the shifter into place.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_declutch

 

That's a legitimate point. It's also why I said you should shift slowly. If you shift based on pressure the secondary gears in the transmission get a chance to slow down before engaging the higher gear. Basically you can skip shift without causing any undue wear but you can't shift quickly or hard. Of course if you are in a hurry you aren't likely to skip shift.