but if we don't rev match then aren't we braking with the engine and it's bad if we do that a lot?

 

No, it's not bad AT ALL. Fuel cuts off while engine braking, best way to regulate speed, no damage at all. And when you're applying gas right after you downshift, you don't engine brake anyways.

 

Get off of it fast otherwise you'd be burning the clutch

 

Practice it. The more you do it the better and smoother you will get. Soon you will be so smooth at it you won't even jerk your girlfriend's head forward. . . . uuuuggghh!!

 

I like to break people's necks. Especially in the 350z with 274tq

 

The engine produces more horsepower when it is spinning at 6000rpm than when it is spinning at at 1000rpm.

An important time to rev match is when you are slowing down while racing.

For instance, if you brake for a sharp curve, downshift and exit the curve with the engine at a low rpm, you will be slow.

On the other hand, if you downshift and engage the transmission while the engine is spinning quickly, you will be faster.

The rev match allows this to happen. By raising the engine speed before engaging a lower gear, it allows you to be faster by increasing the speed of the engine immediately befrore engaging the transmission, thus engaging the transmission at at a higher engine speed.

The "heel-toe" move is sometimes used to both brake and rev-match simultaneously. For examples of this technique, watch the Best Motoring series of car racing videos from Japan.

 

you mean just drop the clutch? wouldn't that cause the car to jerk? or did you mean release it at a somewhat fast pace as to dropping it really quick?

 

rev matching = increasing revs to match the engine speed when shifting down or decreasing revs to match the engine speed when shifting up...smoother into the the next gear and decreases wear on the synchros.

 

I don't sidestep the clutch... I still let it back out smoothly, just don't take your time.


Speaking of engine braking, I have always done that.... heel and toeing all the way to the a stop at redlights, stopsigns, etc.....

 

The whole idea of rev-matching is for the engine to be turning at the correct RPM as the selected gear would be at the time of clutch release. If you do it right, there will be no change in speed at all.