at what speeds do you downshift?

[rayz]

whats a safe range of MPH's to downshift from? I usually downshift to 3rd from just below 80MPH. Im too afraid to downshift to 2nd unless its for slowing down. and of course at speeds lower than 40MPH
so whats the consensus? whats the highest speed possiblefor down shifting to 3rd and 2nd and it still being SAFE to do so?

[e9nine]

..depends on what you want to do...if its to slow down; make sure its below or around 45mph if your rev matching is not that good...we don't want your wheels locking up now..

If you're good at rev mathcing, then you can pretty much pick your speed. If its to slow down to get into the "pull-range" of second gear and take your favorite turn or practice (yeah right) your favorite manoeuvre in a lot, its all about how well you know your car, how fast you can shift, what diff you're running and the degree of safety you wish to play with...

All the variable I think depend on the driver's style and the set up of the car...not forgetting what it is you're about to downshift for.

[rayz]

the downshifting would be for pulling away from someone or to punch it. more umph.

[Jordan]

As a general rule:

If you wish to downshift into a lower gear, make sure that at your given speed (MPH)you have a at least 1000RMPS left to accelerate in the gear you plan to downshift to.

Otherwise its really fruitless to downshift into 2nd for example at 55mph, as you are just about redlined.

[OreoGaborio]

well... if i'm on the highway & making a passing maneuver, it's good to know that in my car the top of 3rd is about 80 and the top of 2nd is a little below 60... i just use that as a benchmark & give myself about 5-10 mph to get into some usable rpm's

[RedBaron86325]

As a general rule:

If you wish to downshift into a lower gear, make sure that at your given speed (MPH)you have a at least 1000RMPS left to accelerate in the gear you plan to downshift to.

You could probably call that the "golden rule". Practice makes perfect. You do not want to make the 'money shift'. A con rod sticking out the side of the block is not a pretty sight. I saw a 'money shift' m50 block @ trent's shop a few months ago.

edit----the hole in that block was large enough to put my fist through

[rwh11385]

hey, this isn't really about what speed i downshift at when driving, but more about what happens when i do.

I'm currently on Blizzaks and Basketweaves, and when i downshift from third to second at even just 40mph, my rear tires chirp - 8) - it's tight! I never had that happen on 16x7.5 wheels and 205/50 ES100's......it's a neat thing to feel/.hear

- - Wingnut

[OreoGaborio]

uh oh.... you're gonna get made fun of for saying that ;) ... well, maybe not... but if you're doing it w/o the gas, it just shows you that you're not using advanced downshifting techniques (rev matching/ heel-toe downshifting)

[rwh11385]

uh oh.... you're gonna get made fun of for saying that ;) ... well, maybe not... but if you're doing it w/o the gas, it just shows you that you're not using advanced downshifting techniques (rev matching/ heel-toe downshifting)

it actually doesn't matter what techniques, rpms or anything is being used. If i start off the line with i don't know......any rpm's, they will chirp......they are the most fun toys i have to play with my car right now.......

.takin turns at the same speeds as i could earlier with 16" is an interesting ordeal. With wheels slidin and a little bit of oversteer, it's fun! Dip the throttle, the car gets a little more sideways adn the tires chirp even more!!!!!

since i discovered this, i've recently removed my rev-limiter cuz gas is friggin costin a lot of money, and i don't think snow tires and performance chips are made for each other.......

so i'll wait til spring to put my chip back in and 16" back on!

[Bill 84 318i]

If you downshift properly (either double clutching or revmatching), your tires should never chirp.

If they do, you could really put a world o' hurt on you and your car.

[trent]

As a general rule:

If you wish to downshift into a lower gear, make sure that at your given speed (MPH)you have a at least 1000RMPS left to accelerate in the gear you plan to downshift to.

You could probably call that the "golden rule". Practice makes perfect. You do not want to make the 'money shift'. A con rod sticking out the side of the block is not a pretty sight. I saw a 'money shift' m50 block @ trent's shop a few months ago.

edit----the hole in that block was large enough to put my fist through

ummm...that was in an E46 M3 engine :)

[modifiede30]

well... if i'm on the highway & making a passing maneuver, it's good to know that in my car the top of 3rd is about 80

Don't you have enough power in 4th for passing on the highway? After about 70mph, 4th should be pulling quite well.

[SickE30]

But 3rd is SO much more fun than 4th on the highway. That screaming intake and roaring exhuats. My God

[Stu]

When I raced people with the M42, I downshifted to land between 5000 and 6000. Slowing down, if feelin saucy, between 6 and 7000. 7500 once; sounded good.

With the new motor, half the people I race I won't need to downshift. muuahhahahahahahah :twisted:

[lodac]

7500rpm with the M42? Shit I would be afraid I would throw a rod or soemthing. Alothough if I did that I could start building my project car.. hmm -- no money forget that idea.