double clutching?

You double clutch when you prefer to shift the wear away from the tranny onto your knee and clutch. You may know this already, but a double clutch is depressing the clutch and going from one gear into neutral, releasing the clutch, then depressing the clutch and going into the next gear.

Two clutch cycles.

A race car, or any car without (working) synchros, will generally shift without grinding the tranny if you double clutch.

Out on the street, however, not many people care to double clutch, especially in traffic. Hence, a tranny with working synchros is typically preferred.

There are a **few** racing Ferrari models that require double clutching...most streetable Ferraris do not.

If your 1994 348 is a Michellotto Competizione LM version, then your seller may be shooting straight with you...otherwise, he's probably just trying to cover up a tranny that needs some work.

Double-clutching will enable you to drive a car whose tranny has worn synchros, after all.

As for driving with revs never below 3,000...I'd again question your version of 348.

My 1994 348 Spider shifts smoothly at every point from 1900 RPMs to 7800. Not much torque down low below 2500 RPMs, but enough for city driving.

 

It should not need to be double clutched, but it can be useful downshifting or when cold, especially if you are getting a slight grind otherwise which is not uncommon in 348's. By the way, double clutching and rev matching saves wear and tear on all the clutch and tranny components. In fact, learn to do it well and you can skip using the clutch all together.

You can cruise at under 3K, but there isn't much power there. If you want to accelerate from there, you will want to downshift.

Dave

 

You should only need to double clutch when tranny is cold, or if your synchro's are really worn. Otherwise everyone is right, it may save your tranny somewhat but that is what the synchro's are really for. You should not under normal driving need to double clutch.

As far as driving under 3000 rpm's, I do cruise around frequently under 3K. If you accelerate hard you might get some pinging. That may damage your valves.

 

I double-clutch most of my downshifts, and "blip" the throttle slightly on upshifts, because I enjoy driving my 348 that way. Is it necessary? Not at all. But it's fun.

 

Here we go again.

 

Just drive it normally. Use the clutch normally. It the shifting is OK enjoy.

If it crunches badly between gears when you are stopped the clutch is not releasing properly. If it crunches badly between gears when driving (even when warm) try changing to a synth gear oil with less (or no) LSD slip additive. If it is still bad get an expert to check the cable adjustment. If still bad maybe a gearbox synchro rebuild in required.

 

Good post, Chris!