[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]
IMO, I see no sense in this since I paid for the syncros, so I'm going to damn well use them.

 

It's true that it does not help the synchros. It does save the clutch and can help make you a smoother driver.

Dave

 

Ken, please don't take this as a flame and I mean no disrespect in any way. Most of what you said, I am in full agreement with except for the part I left quoted. And this, I would like to clarify. Perhaps you have mixed up the meaning of "engage" and "dis-engage". When the clutch is "engaged" (ie. up off the floor), the engine is connected to the tranny's input shaft.
The act of putting the tranny in neutral, "harmonizes" the whole tranny. ie, main shaft, secondary shaft and counter shafts are connected and turning (or not turning) together. If you put the tranny into neutral and if you have the clutch "dis-engaged" (to the floor), you have essentially isolated the tranny from the engine AND the drive shaft (output shaft). In this condition, if you continue to just coast along, the tranny will eventually (and very quickly - maybe several seconds to 1/2 a minute) stop turning even though the engine is still running and the car still rolling.
In theory, you could simplify the "double clutch" by keeping your clutch up, letting off the gas pulling the tranny into neutral. (Please, I do not recommend anyone doing this as too many factors come into play here.) You can now blip the throttle to spin up the tranny so that the lower gear can now be easily meshed (using the clutch now), the speed of the tranny will "match" as it will now once again be connected to the drive shaft. If you can then release the clutch quickly enough before the engine spins down, you will have successfully downshifted in a "single" clutch but achieving what is done in a "double clutch".

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dngo
[B]

xviper,

While the clutch is indeed a wear item, it is much, *much* cheaper to replace a clutch than it is to replace synchros.

Your comment on double clutch rev match shifting with no clutch makes no sense with regards to saving your clutch.

 

XViper, et al.

Now for a really basic question (although I'm sure not everyone is really in the know): On the S2000, is it harmful to the throw-out bearings to disengage the clutch for an extended period of time (e.g., sitting at a red light)? I'm sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but being new to manual transmissions, I am getting conflicting information from those I know; so please no flames.

Thanks!

 

KenL,

Thanks for this pointer, it was very helpful to this newbie.

However, in its simplistic representation of the manual transmission, it appears that the throw-out bearing is always attached to the rod going to the transmission; hence disengaging the clutch would/should not put any extra stress on the bearing (see post above). Is the transmission of the S2000 similar to this simplistic representation, or am I missing something?

Boy am I now confused.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by InsaneInNC
[B]XViper, et al.

Now for a really basic question (although I'm sure not everyone is really in the know):

 

XViper,

Thanks. I think I understand what you have said. I'm going to bed now, and will reread this again in the AM to be sure. If I understand what you said, bottom line is that I don't have to worry about "wearing out the throw-out bearing" by holding down the clutch at stop lights, but it won't hurt either to put the transmission in neutral and engage the clutch for the "longggggggg" lights.

Now I just need to get the hang of the "rev matching" for down shifting, then the heel-and-toe..... Gads, its time for another mod before I go totally nuts!

Mike

 

Yep! I guess I coulda saved all those words and just said that.