Debate: downshifting vs. braking

[F430TECH]

hahah I can shift gears without even using the clutch...

havent tried it in the Speed 3 yet beccause of the sometimes vagueness of the cable tranny. But on the Speed Protege...alll the time...

Oh and in a Formula Mazda...one of these...

Which I have driven a few times...you dont use the clutch at all once in motion as its just a little lift off the throttle to upshift and heel and toe without clutch on the downshift. Its not a sequential box either its H-pattern. The gearbox is actually from an old VW BUS hahahah.

Car weighs 1300lbs had a 13B engine in the back rated to about 180hp...slicks and wings obviously...my kart accelerates quicker and corners harder, but this has higher top speeds...135-140 flat out..can be geared for 150+ though but most tracks dont require it...

Just saying if your REALLY REALLY good you dont need to use the clutch at all...upshifting OR downshifting..

 

[eg6motion]

hahah I can shift gears without even using the clutch...

havent tried it in the Speed 3 yet beccause of the sometimes vagueness of the cable tranny. But on the Speed Protege...alll the time...

Oh and in a Formula Mazda...one of these...

Which I have driven a few times...you dont use the clutch at all once in motion as its just a little lift off the throttle to upshift and heel and toe without clutch on the downshift. Its not a sequential box either its H-pattern. The gearbox is actually from an old VW BUS hahahah.

Car weighs 1300lbs had a 13B engine in the back rated to about 180hp...slicks and wings obviously...my kart accelerates quicker and corners harder, but this has higher top speeds...135-140 flat out..can be geared for 150+ though but most tracks dont require it...

Just saying if your REALLY REALLY good you dont need to use the clutch at all...upshifting OR downshifting..

I wouldn't shift without a clutch on any tranny that has helical cut gears...thats asking for trouble. Straight cut is a different story.

 

[F430TECH]

You can manage in a helical cut gearbox without grinding a single time if you can rev match accurately. Just tug gently on the gearshift as the revs get close it will slot right in...

 

[Aricjm15]

downshifting saves on gas by triggering the fuel injectors to turn off.

 

[lynnriderm6]

i use a mix depends like ovb traffic im on the breaks somtimes i use both somtimes if i know a exit is coming up ill downshift but ya

 

[dxaveP5]

yea i think that the answer to this thread question should be "use a bit of both, depending on the situation."
if ur hardcore touge master - heel toe ur ass off
if your not ^^^ - downshift and drive however you wish, its your car do whatever you want. if u have the money to replace the clutch from heel toes or watever, then thats good, if not....well tough s*** dude.

 

[jbiird317]

im also surprised no one has said this already, but engine breaking is also safer, just in case someone cuts you off or something unexpected, its a lot easier to react if your car is in gear rather than in neutral