How do people downshift for more power without rev-matching?
Discussion
I’m assuming the OP means using the cars momentum and engine to bring the revs up, rather than using the throttle to do it yourself whilst in neutral, would cause a slowing of the vehicle, which to a degree is correct but it would be so minimal and the fact your back on the power straight away in a lower gear you would quickly gain back the lost 1mph.
DarkVeil said:
Discendo Discimus said:
But that's why you would be back on the throttle as soon as the clutch is lifted, because you're trying to accelerate.
Obviously if you downshifted, lifted the clutch and coasted it would slow down, but that's not what anybody does.
So there isn't any significant engine-braking when lifting up the clutch?Obviously if you downshifted, lifted the clutch and coasted it would slow down, but that's not what anybody does.
Not if you're on the throttle as soon as the clutch is lifted. If you lift the clutch and don't touch the throttle then yes, there will be considerable engine braking.
Why don't you go out and try it? I assume you've got a manual if you're over-thinking it this much.
Actually reminds me of an ex who couldn't grasp the concept of engine braking. She would come down a gear then hit the throttle, and couldn't understand why the car was speeding up. I had to show her about 8 times before she finally understood.
Glenn63 said:
I’m assuming the OP means using the cars momentum and engine to bring the revs up, rather than using the throttle to do it yourself whilst in neutral, would cause a slowing of the vehicle, which to a degree is correct but it would be so minimal and the fact your back on the power straight away in a lower gear you would quickly gain back the lost 1mph.
Yes, exactly BenS94 said:
I always rev match. Something I picked up in driving older knackered cars with dodgy clutches/synchros and it's a habit I've kept as it seems more mechanically sympathetic.
Yes, even in cars with good clutches and sychros it feels much more mechanically sympathetic. I learnt to rev-match not long after passing my test and since then very rarely downshift without it.Discendo Discimus said:
DarkVeil said:
Discendo Discimus said:
But that's why you would be back on the throttle as soon as the clutch is lifted, because you're trying to accelerate.
Obviously if you downshifted, lifted the clutch and coasted it would slow down, but that's not what anybody does.
So there isn't any significant engine-braking when lifting up the clutch?Obviously if you downshifted, lifted the clutch and coasted it would slow down, but that's not what anybody does.
Not if you're on the throttle as soon as the clutch is lifted. If you lift the clutch and don't touch the throttle then yes, there will be considerable engine braking.
Why don't you go out and try it? I assume you've got a manual if you're over-thinking it this much.
Actually reminds me of an ex who couldn't grasp the concept of engine braking. She would come down a gear then hit the throttle, and couldn't understand why the car was speeding up. I had to show her about 8 times before she finally understood.
ARHarh said:
I am not sure rev matching has been necessary since the introduction of the synchromesh gearbox. I could be wrong though.
You are right, of course. But a sympathetic driver, even when in a hurry will also up the revs to assist the synchro and increase the life of the gearbox. It used to be called car sympathy.Lester H said:
ARHarh said:
I am not sure rev matching has been necessary since the introduction of the synchromesh gearbox. I could be wrong though.
You are right, of course. But a sympathetic driver, even when in a hurry will also up the revs to assist the synchro and increase the life of the gearbox. It used to be called car sympathy.I was on a McLaren dealer driving day (roads, not track) a few years back with a 570 spider and a 720. In the 570 I was on a dual carriageway and told to ‘go for it’.
Even though the gear changes are paddle shift, I always lifted off the accelerator between shifts to make the change smoother. The instructor was impressed that I wanted to look after the car but told me in no uncertain terms that these were McLaren’s cars and were intended to be abused.
After that I just flicked the paddle with foot firmly on the throttle. It was a fun ride but the jolts between gear changes never fully sat comfortably with my mechanically sympathetic nature.
Noting you drive a 987, I have a 986 and a 996. I rev match sometimes because it makes a nice sound, but in reality it makes no difference from a performance perspective, possibly it does from a mechanical sympathy perspective when grabbing a low gear whilst slowing hard for a tight bend etc. When driving more everyday manuals, such as small hatchbacks, there's definitely no point and it makes no difference at all in everyday driving.
John D. said:
BenS94 said:
DarkVeil said:
Not sure why half the posts in the thread are slightly hostile
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