Manual Transmission Shifting Question

Single clutch up (but with a tiny pause through neutral), double declutch back.

 

Someone clarify this to me: Is the double de-clutch for downshifting an actual double pump of the clutch, one pump for each gear + a blip in between? And does it have to do with syncro setup and the need to subsequently match revs a specific way? I've heard of it in trucking and classic cars but never really understood the concept or the need.

I don't have a Ferrari, but I one pump for upshifts (no blip necessary because the revs fall to match the ratio of the higher gear) and one pump + blipping for downshifts (usually, depending on my mood and driving style) so that the revs match the ratio of the lower gear.

 

Older classic cars didn't have synchromesh gearboxes. In a "crash" box, you will grind gears if you don't rev match in neutral.

In a syncro gearbox, you should rev match (blip throttle to match engine speed to driveshaft speed), but you do not need to double clutch.

 

Thank you very much.

 

I tend to blip if I know I'm not coming to a complete stop and instead simply slowing down.
Honestly can't say its so much for a smoother shift, rather it just sounds cool.

 

+1 on 'just sounds cool'. I don't have and F1, but 6-spd however when I drove a Lambo F1, when coming to a stop and down shifting the engine bliped in between each down shift. I did not notice it on the harder down shifts under braking at higher speeds. Do your F-car F1's do the same?

 

Upshift as fast as possible, the engine will pretty much line up the revs if you let off the throttle slightly during the shift. Downshifts bump the throttle to breing it up close to the right RPM, makes the downshift smoother.
I don't see how anyone has the time to double clutch when they are upshifting???

BT

 

Only if you want to be outrun by minivans and Priuses when the light turns green.

 

I disagree re upshift as fast as possible. I agree with the post to slightly pause in neutral. I was told to shift that way when I bought my 1st Ferrari, 35 or so years ago and I have never had a syncro problem

 

+++ a Corvette or a Porsche or just about anything else is far different than a traditional gated shift Ferrari. Double clutch up is usually a pretty good option for 2nd when the gears are cold, pause in neutral and match revs before pushing past synchro still after they warm up. I usually double clutch down always - it is fun and makes you feel like Juan Manuel.

Just remember that you are saving yourself buckets of money by not speed shifiting it - and once it runs up in a couple of gears, everybody else will be about half a mile back in your mirrors. Remember that a 512TR equalled the 0-100-0 time of a ZR-1 Corvette and a 1st generation Viper - even though it took a full 1 second for the 1-2 upshift! (and had no ABS to keep the fronts from locking) R & T also said that they actually ran it to about 105 because it was pulling too hard at this speed to precisely end the runup before brakes at 100.

 

Man, I don't think I would have had near as much fun if I could count 1001, 1002 between each gear on the acceleration side. You guys are paranoid! I'm sure Enzo would tell you to take it easy on his cars... Drive it like you mean it, you are already paying a huge premium for the privilege.

BT

 

Go ahead, call me a weenie. A ZR-1 legend popular in my old group held it that one of the factory test drivers got super numbers by slam-speed shifting the ZR-1 without the clutch and at full throttle!

 

I shift the way I do because I grew up with non-synchro 'boxes, but I also think it is being kind to your car and the fact that my clutch is more than 7years old and good as new (touch wood!) has got to be a benefit.

 

Definately the quickest way, but how often to you want to be working on your gearbox?

 

Back in the old days at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, CA (I'm dating myself aren't I?), we regularly "Power Shifted" our cars. Keep foot to the floor, pull from one gear to the next with one fast pump of the clutch.

Best way to get a quick time. Missed it once, over-revved the engine on my '65 Corvette 396, resulting in a little remedial head/valve work!

I'd never do a power shift in a Ferrari, though. Too costly if you miss, and no need for it with the kind of driving we do.