2000LS1Z28

Someone over on LS1.com told me that I should always have my revs at at least 4000 rpms or higher when downshifting from a roll to do a WOT run. It was explained to me that you push in the clutch, shift the gear, then give the engine a little gas while still on the clutch to get the rpms up and then release the clutch and floor it.

I'm new to this M6 thing and my downshifts haven't been real smooth yet with the clutch/gas transfer. I guess I could understand doing this from a higher speed roll(50+) but does it need to be done from a 20-30mph kickdown into 1st as well?

If someone could just explain this concept of rev-matching to me that would be great. And how to do it RIGHT. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Thanks,

Mike

cobray

You should not shift from 2nd (or other gear) into 1st unless you are under 20mph? Im not sure of the exact speed I do not have my owners manual in front of me.
I would think at 4000 RPMS you should just be able to go WOT without downshiftign since your pretty much in the powerband of producing the most HP. I try not to rev my LS1 over 5000 RPM, which is slightly below redline.
If you need instant pickup you should be dropping from 5th to 3rd (or 6th or 4nd) on the highway. Be careful you dont bend a pushrod if you downshift into too high an RPM. You should practice some on the highway. Just keep it out of the red.
I used to drive mostly high-revving DOHC or rotary engines so good technique for driving torquey pushrod motors is still new to me... <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />

XFiveLiter

I have an auto now, but sometimes I would give the throttle a little "blip" before downshifting. Its not 100% necessary, but its easier on syncros.

Cobray, you should be shifting between 5800-6100. LS1s like to rev <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

<small>[ August 17, 2002, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: XFiveLiter ]</small>

2000 Camaro SS

Hell I get the best responce going 6th to 3rd on the highway. Yes you always should match the rpm's. I do it all the time when I think I'll need to be in the power band. But get good at it befor you get to radical.

770Guy

excellent, I had this same question, Im new to the M6, im an A4 guy and just got an M6.

Damian

iTrader: (89)

Yes, definately rev match. Match the rpm's up roughly to what they will be when you drop it into gear. You won't jerk the **** out of the drivetrain and your car will thank you...

josh

Racehead

I've found that if you're just dropping 1 gear what works well is if you floor it and then with the pedal on the floor stab the clutch and drop into the next gear . If you shift very fast then the rpm's raise up to meet the next gear. It's very smooth and very quick.

2000LS1Z28

Ok, good information. But...what is the best way to do this since I'm "very" new to driving a stick(with a powerful V8)? Just describing the proper technique of rev-matching would be helpful.

Mike

<small>[ August 18, 2002, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: 2000LS1Z28 ]</small>

DERTY

Only one time of moving at 70MPH in 6th and dropping to 3rd is all you need to know about rev matching! Just punch it and drop it when the R's climb.

StevieZ

iTrader: (3)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">code:</font><hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;">I try not to rev my LS1 over 5000 RPM, which is slightly below redline.
</pre><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You poor soul.

NHRATA01

iTrader: (10)

If i'm gonna drop down 2 gears or more, I usually double clutch and try to save some wear on the synchros. You should always at least rev match, herky jerky downshifts aren't the best thing for your car.

R U A LS1

It's called heal/toe shifting. Amazeingly the peddle setup in our cars were almost build for road racing. (its really a road race technique when you are coming into a corner or a turn.) But it works both ways because you have to slow down to the car you want to race anyways.
The peddle setup allows you to have your foot on the break as you blip the gas. Basically what that means is you use the right side of your foot aroung the pinkie toe area to hit the has as your easeing the break on. Then you just let the clutch out. Takes time and practice. It becomes second nature after 4 days of driving school. I use it all the time now without thinking about it.

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

I almost always match the RPMs before I downshift. If you don't, you are really putting stress on the entire drivetrain. It’s in a lot of ways the same thing as holding the clutch in, revving to 5000 and then letting it go (BANG!!! Massive shock on the parts). The only times I don't are when I'm coming up to a light and I'm working down 4, 3, 2, 1....stop..... I also down match if I'm coming into a turn and go from say 2 to 1 and want the engine to kill my speed.

You can downshift into first above 20 mph, you just need to take some time and learn what RPM and mph equate out to in every gear. Then you can do whatever you want.

I run all the way to my 6600 rev lim.......she just keeps asking for more. When I'm on the highway and just "passing" I drop from 6th to 4th. When I REALLY want to go, I go to 3rd and OMG!!!! HANG ON TO YOUR BUTTS!!!!

Stick only

matching the rpm's will G R E A T L Y increase your clutch life! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Zshark

For rookies: Dont try a high speed (15 mph and over) downshift into 1st, until you are familiar with the concept and the f-body setup. You can really hurt stuff in the tranny, lucky for us the t-56 is a strong mother and wont bust unless really abused. FWIW the manual has speed and gear indications.

2000LS1Z28

Thanks again, this is definitely great information.

MIGHTYMOUSE

iTrader: (59)

ok, pull out of gear, go to wot, move to desired gear and release clutch

the better you get at doing this the less time you will spend on the rev-limiter <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

i call it a power downshift

sometimes its a perfect match, sometimes it lights the tires up (wich is still cool) but most importantly you wont ever skid the tires on the pavement as you motor is manually revved to catch up with the mph you are going.

dug

iTrader: (10)

The double clutch downshift is what makes these M6s worth the trouble. When done right, its so nice and smooth. A good way to do this is to remember how fast you are going in each gear at around 4500 to 5000 rpms. Stock is like 35-40 in first and second is 55-60, never had to do double clutch into third. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Do this correctly and no auto gonna catch from a roll even with a high stall. <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

LoFlyinC5FRC

I always double clutch with a blip to rev match. Besides being easier on drivetrain, it sounds great with a nice cat-back system. Plus everyone has their variations on the theme. E.g. for me it's clutch in, grab a lower gear & blip the throttle to bring the revs up, then clutch out. Not double clutching but still rev matching. Then let the car 'engine brake' a little so as to produce a nice loud crackling / popping from the exhuast as you drive past a cop in the next lane <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> .

<small>[ August 23, 2002, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: LoFlyinC5FRC ]</small>

MelloYellow

I hate cops.