Downshifting?

[beamR X]

I used to do it, long time ago. Now I rarely do it. I only do it when spirited driving and in anticipation of a corner where almost WOT may be required to exit a corner at the desired RPM.


In DD I try and avoid doing it. Why? Simple, opposite torque loads:

A.
The increaset compresion does not help the engine, but that's small potatoes.

B.
The clutch generally likes engaging in one direction. When you downshift, it works against it's normal direction.

C.
All motor mounts, tranny mounts are designed to effectively handle torque in one direction. Again, downshifting fucks them up.

D. Differential gear R&P toe and hill contact is reversed when downshifting.... blah, blah, blah...


Need I go on?

[Jand3rson]

I always do rev matched downshifts, no exceptions.

I do it as much as possible. I'm still practicing, and still getting it down, but I'm getting better.

[dirty30]

I do it. I also redline it religiously... any poll for that?

where is the "rob" option...?

[RobertK]

eh.. Depends on lazy I feel when I'm driving. Sometimes I downshift sometime I coast it and downshift.. Rev matching seems like such a waste unless you're on the track giving hell otherwise it's too much to worry about when I'm driving through town.

[!RocknE30!]

Downshift by rev matching all the time.

Same here.

[nando]

I will if the situation calls for it, but I'd rather use my brakes than wear on engine/tranny mounts and my clutch.

[beamR X]

I ... redline it religiously... any poll for that?

X2
Oh, yah!!! That, I do!

[E30isGIRL]

downshifter

[Koony]

Downshifter, but I'll skip around alot. If your driving fast enough you'll be using either brakes or throttle.;)

[CleanAzzE30z]

Its not about your engine....Its about clutch wear when you talk abotu cons of downshifting. I do it a lot when I drive the ///M3, its just too tempting and its an event when I drive that car. but the 325, I sometimes do it. Its all about the emotion and the moment for me.

Mariano

[Van Westervelt]

Downshifting and letting your RPMs slow you down puts your engine into a "braking" mode, where you arent using more gas, its actually overly efficient when "braking." If you dont match the rev's, you are putting added stress on your clutch and it will wear out. If you dont downshift correctly, you will pay for it in repairs, so just use your good ole brakes until you know what you are doing :) I downshift and rev match 75% of the time, as to anticipate idiots and lights turning green.

[CleanAzzE30z]

Downshifting and letting your RPMs slow you down puts your engine into a "braking" mode, where you arent using more gas, its actually overly efficient when "braking." If you dont match the rev's, you are putting added stress on your clutch and it will wear out. If you dont downshift correctly, you will pay for it in repairs, so just use your good ole brakes until you know what you are doing :) I downshift and rev match 75% of the time, as to anticipate idiots and lights turning green.

yes

[Justin B]

Most of the time, so I said all the time. I downshift when coming to a stop sign.. some people wonder why. I enjoy it. Of course blipping, letting the engine/clutch/tranny do that work is bad mmkay?

[ldsbeaker]

I downshift by revmatching all the time, AND redline it every day.

p.s. My goal around most corners is NOT to touch the brakes.

[Kilomph]

Your supposed to be in gear at all times while moving. I usually wind down 3rd and skip second when coming to an inevitable stop. The rest of the time i'm always rev matching and engine braking. Once you get good enough all the rest of that wear bs goes out the window. Yes brakes are cheap , but what's the fun in that? It's such a satisfying feeling performing a smooth quick downshift.