[QUOTE=littlerocket777,Nov 6 2006, 07:31 PM] So can I run the steps through you guys and let me know if I am correct?

For downshifting for a turn, say 4th to 2nd.
I'm off the gas > clutch in > shift from 4th to 2nd > rev to the correct RPM and hold gas there> release the clutch?

Is that how it's done?

 

I rarely ever look at my RPM's when rev matching, it's all a feel for the car really.

This is how I do it...

1) Release Gas
2) Clutch In
3) Blip while moving it into lower gear
4) Clutch out right after

I don't think I ever hold the gas and keep it at a constant rpm before clutching out. The transition when you clutch in - blip - clutch out should all be smooth if you do it correctly. I release the clutch right when I shift into the lower gear.

 

Having owned nothing but manual transmission Hondas and toyotas all my driving life (almost 11 years now) I cannot stand riding with someone who has less than perfect shifting, rev matching habits. I want so badly to give them pointers to allow smoother gear transitions! GRRRRRRRRRRR

 

I've been trying to do this (with mixed results) and I was just wondering what the advantage of this is over just blipping the gas while the clutch is in? It seems way simpler to just 'blip' and release.

 

On an aggressive downshift, you're asking quite a bit of your synchros to match the speed of the layshaft/gear to the speed of the drive shaft. Abuse these often, and one day you'll find yourself needing a lovely transmission rebuild.

Double clutching is a technique that allows shifting in transmissions that don't even have synchros, so it follows that there is less wear if you do this on aggressive downshifts. If your transmission is notchy, this will avoid the notchiness. By matching the speed of the rotating gear and the driveshaft, the dog teeth on the gear selector are able to engage cleanly without waiting for the synchroniziers to equalize the speeds.

It also happens to be the case that double clutching defeats the 1st gear lockout (the s2000 won't generally let you downshift to 1st if you're traveling >10mph), but I didn't tell you that...

 

Rev matching to accel or maintain speed is something i've been doing since I learned how to drive stick.. HOWEVER, blipping for downshifting during decelerations.. i'm not sure if you're suppose to release the clutch as the RPMs go up, down, or at its peak...

I guess this is more of a heel-toe type of question..

 

I catch it on the way down, after the peak. Sometimes right at the peak. Just depends on what the motor feels like. Practice, it's not hard. I do it all day everyday totally on feel. I freak out when i'm in the car with somebody else and they don't rev match because I can feel for the motor. I feel sorry for the strain they put on it.

Heel toe is along the same lines but don't jump into that just yet. Heel toe is just a little awkward at first but if you can rev match you will be able to do it just fine. I have a bit of an issue because I find the gas pedal a little thin and a bit far from the brake compared to other cars i've driven. But then again it might be the dress shoes I have to wear everyday to work.