...start from a stop in 2nd or 3rd gear...etc...and why is it better for the clutch when you shift to neutral and then brake when slowing down, as opposed to disengaging the clutch and braking at the same time while staying in gear? I always thought by doing the latter you're not harming the clutch anyway, but i heard the first way is better for some reason....anyone?

 

I think starting in 2nd or 3rd gear would put alot more wear in an already weak clutch.

 

the clutch isn't all that weak...I had my TSBs done at 15k, now I'm at 53k and still on the same clutch with no problems. Seems pretty damn good to me, especially considering the abuse I give it at the track and autocross!!!!

 

I guess my argument probably wouldn't apply to the '00 and '01, since they have different clutches. The '02 is significantly weaker than the earlier ones. I went to an autocross yesterday, and was so envious of the '01 owners having the ability to generate some wheelspin at the start gate. Neither of the '02s were able to do anything other than bog down at the start, or the clutches would slip.

 

Gee, I must have a rare '02 with a strong clutch or something. I was just at an Autocross yesterday and I got more wheelspin than I would have liked! What rpms are you dropping at? Anything over 4000 for me gives a nice launch and anything over 6000 I get some nasty wheel hop and can do a long burn out.

To be honest with you I wasn't even trying to get as much wheelspin as I got. Was just trying for a nice/fast launch each time.

 

If I drop at less than 4000, the engine bogs down. I have only dropped at 6000 once, and the car barely moved, while the engine spun freely up to redline. A couple seconds later, I was blessed with the sweet smell of clutch! Once I'm moving, and I shift quickly into 2nd or 3rd, it takes a second for the clutch to grab enough to bring the RPMs down.

 

Starting in 2nd or third gear will either have you slipping the clutch much more to get going &/or lugging the engine. Neither of these is good for the car in the long term.

As far as keeping in gear with the clutch depressed or car in neutral while braking, neither of these is that good either, as far as keeping as much control of the car as possible at all times. Proper downshifting while braking should not wear the clutch to any significant degree.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Prolene
[B]As far as keeping in gear with the clutch depressed or car in neutral while braking, neither of these is that good either, as far as keeping as much control of the car as possible at all times.

 

Perhaps typical; try rev matching/heel toe. With easy around town driving, one could let the clutch in when the revs drop enough, but I wouldn't immediatley put the clutch in or shift to neutral as braking is initiated, as I think the poster suggests.

 

i agree with gernby on this. engine braking isn't a good thing whether you're rev-matching or not.