double-clutch is not a crime

[Christopher Cooley <chriscooley@worldnet.att.net>]

In the past, before the invention of synchros, drivers HAD to double clutch in
the process of downshifting.  When done properly with matched tranny & engine
speeds, there is minimal wear on either engine, tranny or synchos.  Essentially,
when the speeds are matched correctly, the effect is harmless for wear but good
for braking.

Its the SAME effect as letting your foot off the brake, just one gear lower,
when its matched properly.  Note:  you need not heal-toe in all double clutch
(aka rev-shifting) situations.  Say you're at 40mph in 3rd gear at ~2,500 rpms
(approx) and you are approching a 90 degree right dogleg.  Depress the clutch,
simultaneously puch the gas and shift to second to get the rpms to 3,500 rpms
(again, approx) let out the clutch to match, the car begins to slow and you
marry the engine break with the brake pedal and notice solid braking
performance.  In the beginning you will find yourself looking straight at the
tach to get the match done properly, but will soon (windows done is good) hear
the match.  Its a beautiful thing, really.  Its always good to be close to
exactly what your engine is doing.  Besides, if you find yourself rolling into a
stale red light and you have double-clutched into a lower gear, a surprise green
will keep you closer to (or in) te power band to punch-it and smoke your
neighbor.  Works Like A Charm!

Chris

Peter Loron wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Khan M. Klatt <kmk@pacificrim.net>
> To: jettaglx@igtc.COM <jettaglx@igtc.COM>
> Date: Thursday, July 30, 1998 4:47 PM
> Subject: Re: shoot the shift
>
> [stuff snipped]
>
> >Let me summarize this, if I can, and you tell me if I have the right idea.
> >
> >In two steps:
> >
> >1. Push in the clutch, and pull the gearshift into neutral (say from third
> >gear), and immediately let the clutch back out, all the while slowing down
> >to the speed at which you want to take the corner.
> >
> >2. Lightly tap the accellerator to get the engine to rev to say, 3000 rpm
> >in neutral, and at the same time, push in the clutch pedal, and shift into
> >second gear, and then let the clutch back out while you accelerate through
> >the turn.
> >
> >
> >So in other words, just change gears as normal, except let out the clutch
> >when you reach neutral, tap the accelerator, and then shift into the lower
> >gear and let out the clutch as you accelerate.
> >
> >Is this right? It sounds complicated, and somewhat unsavory to do for the
> >first time. Yechh, I don't want to grind my gears!!!
> >
> >-Khan
>
> That's it. It takes some getting used to (practice doing the shifts while
> you drive down the road without braking), but it's the proper way to really
> smoke those corners without beating up your car. Aside from avoiding the
> obvious wear on the clutch and transmission, doing it smoothly is a big part
> of keeping the car stable and getting the weight balance right for maximum
> hold in the corner.
>
> Of course, you shouldn't be driving on public roads hard enough to require
> maximum grip anyway...but saving the mechanicals is worthy.
>
> -Pete