Just got my S2K. This is my first manual car. Been reading about double clutching, and as far as I can tell it's supposed to help. But it sure slows down my shifting. I've got a few questions.

1) Are you supposed to double clutch when going up in gears as well as when going down?
2) How do you do it fast?
3) How do you do it in general? It would be great if someone could set the record straight step by step.
4) Do the people that pull in the 13's double clutch when they are racing?
5) How much of a difference does it make?

good advice always appreciated

Thanks,

s2kNewbie

 

1) Don't double clutch. Period.
2) Don't double clutch. Period.
3) Don't double clutch. Period.
4) Don't double clutch. Period.
5) It doesn't make any difference, so don't double clutch. Period.

Double clutching is for older manual cars.

:sigh:


It must be that Fast and the Furious movie, corrupting young minds...

 

in less you have been to racing school and 1/100's of a second really matter to you just don't worry about it. It really don't make that much of a difference.

 

Ok, I'll buy your advice on the 1/100 second. I really do think that it slows you down. HOWEVER, I do believe that double clutching eliminates the work that your synchros have to do to bring your layshaft up to speed with your engine.

I guess it really won;t matter if synchros never wear out. But I have no idea.

What do you think about the "saving the wear and tear" aspect?

 

and it was that "Fast and Furious" movie. putting all these wrong things in my head. Damn you Vin Diesel. Damn you HOLLYWOOD.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LostWaffle
[B]I do believe that double clutching eliminates the work that your synchros have to do to bring your layshaft up to speed with your engine.

 

I enjoy the convenience of a modern synchronized transmission.

I'll leave double-clutching to tractor trailer drivers, than you.

 

Jstyle, double clutching is not faster for anybody unless you're trying to throw it into 1st gear at 40 MPH. The S2000 transmission works very well without double clutching. Rev matching on downshifts is essential and if you really want to show off, learn how to heel and toe so you can pull off those perfectly rev matched downshifts while you're braking for the corner.

 

As someone new to manual transmissions, I'd focus on starting out smoothly and shifting smoothly without worrying about all the fancy footwork yet.

Also, It sounds like you're confusing double-clutching with rev-matching. Double-clutching was required to smoothly downshift non-synchronized transmissions. It involved engaging the clutch, moving the shift lever to neutral, releasing the clutch, revving the engine, re-engaging the clutch, moving the shift lever to the next lower gear, and releasing the clutch. This needed to be done quickly and smoothly. Modern transmissions have synchronizers to match differences in transmission output shaft and layshaft speeds.

Rev-matching involves engaging the clutch, revving the engine, and releasing the clutch. This is done to match engine speed to the speed of the transmission output shaft. Rev-matching on downshifts is an important skill to learn when driving the car hard, like on a racetrack, so as not to upset the car when near the traction limits of the tire. Heel-toe downshifting adds the additional component of braking while shifting. These are skills that should not be necessary on the street but can be fun to do anyway.

When upshifting, the delay in engaging the clutch, moving the shift lever and re-engaging the clutch allows enough lag time for the engine to slow down and allow smooth shifting.

 

The last time I had to double clutch a vehicle was in 1969. It was a 5 ton and was towing a 155 howitzer.