Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Calendar
Go Back   NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Community Forums > Lounge

Notices


View Poll Results: Do you downshift or coast up to stop signs or red lights?
Downshift 27 36.49%
Coast in neutral 47 63.51%
Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-08-2009, 06:46 PM   #51
1QWIKBIRD
11 Second Club
 
1QWIKBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
Posts: 855
iTrader: (5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\ View Post
i will usually downshift until im in 3rd, unless im already in 3rd, then let the engine slow the car down and coast the last bit. Save the brakes. clutch may be more expensive, but thats no reason to beat on the brakes and change pads every 3000 miles
If you are changing brake pads (in a mostly street driven car) every 3,000 miles there are much bigger issues at play than whether or not you are coasting or downshifting.
__________________


1999 Formula 6spd (The driver)
1997 2500 Ext. Cab Dodge 4x4 CTD 5spd (The Earth Mover)
1970 Nova 5spd (The toy)
1QWIKBIRD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 06:51 PM   #52
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

normally i downshift. If you are using the clutch properly when downshifting you arent really wearing it. Not saying i am a proffesional. By no means i just started driving stick not to long ago.

I do like hearing my car but my brakes make a little noise from being crappy quality (only a month old from when i got the car) this way i dont have to hear that.

But i like to keep my car in gear just incase for some extrordianry reason.
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56

Last edited by MyFirstZ; 06-08-2009 at 06:52 PM.
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 06:52 PM   #53
1QWIKBIRD
11 Second Club
 
1QWIKBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
Posts: 855
iTrader: (5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by alamantia View Post
Clutch only wears when pressure is applied to the disc while the disc is rotating at a different RPM than the flywheel. If you tap the gas to raise the engines RPM prior to downshifting you can almost match the RPM of the engine to the disc when you let the clutch back out there will be no slippage. Now if your a rookie and just jamb it in a lower gear and let the clutch out without raising the engine RPM (which i serioulsy doubt anyone on this site is too stupid to do) then you have wear.
I'm not calling anyone a rookie either, but how many people rev match on the downshift versus dropping it in a lower gear and simply letting the clutch out?

I agree, if you rev match on the downshift, wear is minimal, but the big vrooommmm......downshifts are definitely putting some excessive wear into the clutch and the synchros both are much more expensive than brakes.

Chris
__________________


1999 Formula 6spd (The driver)
1997 2500 Ext. Cab Dodge 4x4 CTD 5spd (The Earth Mover)
1970 Nova 5spd (The toy)
1QWIKBIRD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 06:57 PM   #54
//<86TA>\\
Power Member
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Milford NJ
Posts: 1,526
iTrader: (1)
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1QWIKBIRD View Post
If you are changing brake pads (in a mostly street driven car) every 3,000 miles there are much bigger issues at play than whether or not you are coasting or downshifting.
just a little hint of sarcasm in that estimate, but my point is, let the engine slow the car down. If the car is rolling at 50mph, in neutral and you just use the brakes to stop, you are putting a lot of stress on the brakes that is really not necessary

Last edited by //<86TA>\\; 06-08-2009 at 07:06 PM.
//<86TA>\\ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:00 PM   #55
1QWIKBIRD
11 Second Club
 
1QWIKBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
Posts: 855
iTrader: (5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\ View Post
just a little hint or sarcasm in that estimate, but my point is, let the engine slow the car down. If the car is rolling at 50mph, in neutral and you just use the brakes to stop, you are putting a lot of stress on the brakes that is really no nessicairy
I hope you detected the same in my reply...
__________________


1999 Formula 6spd (The driver)
1997 2500 Ext. Cab Dodge 4x4 CTD 5spd (The Earth Mover)
1970 Nova 5spd (The toy)
1QWIKBIRD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:00 PM   #56
91DropTop
 
91DropTop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Linden NJ
Posts: 587
iTrader: (1)
if im in town i throw it in neutral but if im on the highway where i can see a red light from like a mile away ill downshift so when it turns green i just gas and resume my driving..makes your breaks last longer
__________________
2000 T/A WS6: Bolt On's
2007 Honda CBR1000RR Crotch Rocket
1991 RS Convertible - SOLD!
91DropTop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:00 PM   #57
alamantia
 
alamantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Midland Park, NJ
Posts: 1,389
iTrader: (7)
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1QWIKBIRD View Post
I'm not calling anyone a rookie either, but how many people rev match on the downshift versus dropping it in a lower gear and simply letting the clutch out?

I agree, if you rev match on the downshift, wear is minimal, but the big vrooommmm......downshifts are definitely putting some excessive wear into the clutch and the synchros both are much more expensive than brakes.

Chris

Lets call mythbusters.
alamantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:05 PM   #58
1QWIKBIRD
11 Second Club
 
1QWIKBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
Posts: 855
iTrader: (5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\ View Post
just a little hint or sarcasm in that estimate, but my point is, let the engine slow the car down. If the car is rolling at 50mph, in neutral and you just use the brakes to stop, you are putting a lot of stress on the brakes that is really no nessicairy
That's what kinda confused me at first. Coasting to me is tranny in neutral, car rolling, no braking (engine or mechanical) at all. Everything else is braking, whether it be engine braking or mechanical braking. I think very few people are actually coasting to a stop, but are instead leaving the car in gear and using engine as a brake until it is no longer effective, then downshifting and doing it again....That is not coasting, to me anyway. Truly coasting and using only the mechanical brakes, would be harder on the brakes.

Chris
__________________


1999 Formula 6spd (The driver)
1997 2500 Ext. Cab Dodge 4x4 CTD 5spd (The Earth Mover)
1970 Nova 5spd (The toy)
1QWIKBIRD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:06 PM   #59
1QWIKBIRD
11 Second Club
 
1QWIKBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
Posts: 855
iTrader: (5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by alamantia View Post
Lets call mythbusters.
__________________


1999 Formula 6spd (The driver)
1997 2500 Ext. Cab Dodge 4x4 CTD 5spd (The Earth Mover)
1970 Nova 5spd (The toy)
1QWIKBIRD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:36 PM   #60
//<86TA>\\
Power Member
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Milford NJ
Posts: 1,526
iTrader: (1)
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1QWIKBIRD View Post
That's what kinda confused me at first. Coasting to me is tranny in neutral, car rolling, no braking (engine or mechanical) at all. Everything else is braking, whether it be engine braking or mechanical braking. I think very few people are actually coasting to a stop, but are instead leaving the car in gear and using engine as a brake until it is no longer effective, then downshifting and doing it again....That is not coasting, to me anyway. Truly coasting and using only the mechanical brakes, would be harder on the brakes.

Chris
i think we are on the same page

Last edited by //<86TA>\\; 06-08-2009 at 07:38 PM.
//<86TA>\\ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:37 PM   #61
//<86TA>\\
Power Member
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Milford NJ
Posts: 1,526
iTrader: (1)
Quote:
Originally Posted by alamantia View Post
Lets call mythbusters.
that would be cool, and probably have an explosion worked in somehow
//<86TA>\\ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 07:37 PM   #62
//<86TA>\\
Power Member
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Milford NJ
Posts: 1,526
iTrader: (1)
...

Last edited by //<86TA>\\; 06-08-2009 at 07:38 PM. Reason: what the *** is going on!!!!!
//<86TA>\\ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 08:00 PM   #63
Clutch Master
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: If it has a clutch, ill burn it!
Posts: 230
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MonmouthCtyAntz View Post
I had a buddy years ago w/ a 93 Lt1 auto that shifted the car all the time...it use to drive me nuts.


wow sounds like gene in his hawk.....
__________________
2002 Silver Pontiac Trans Am #8150
Clutch Master is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 08:12 PM   #64
NJ346
11 Second Club / I <3 LT1s
 
NJ346's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Troy, Mi
Posts: 2,642
iTrader: (9)
I'm young, have a cut-out, and 90% of the time it's just instinct to downshift. It's hard to break the habbit now as I'm breaking in a fresh clutch. Lately, whenever I've had to downshift while slowing up I've been rev matching, and it takes a few tries, but it really isn't that bad and its a lot less stress on the clutch.
__________________
Vinnie -

00 SS A4- LQ9/LS3/Stalled/3.42s 1.48/11.10/121 mph<-6spd swap in progress.
13 Silverado Z71- Sold 11/16
99 Z28 M6- -H/C/9in - sold 1/13
99 Silverado Z71- The DD - Sold 7/13
03 CBR 600RR - Sold 8/13
NJ346 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 10:40 PM   #65
ryanfx
King of Free
 
ryanfx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,750
iTrader: (0)
it uses less gas to downshift. Proven on a full PCM scanner on multiple cars.
__________________
2001 Trans Am M6 WS6 Black on Black...on Black
PaceSetter LT's, TSP catted Y,Borla catback, SLP lid
!CAGS, Eibach pro-kit, Bilstein shocks, 5% tint all around
ryanfx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 10:50 PM   #66
DaSkinnyGuy
 
DaSkinnyGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: unknown
Posts: 2,776
iTrader: (0)
A mix, coast in town, but downshift getting off the interstate. really all depends on the situation
__________________
2000 Pewter Trans am, M6, SLP Lid,LS6 intake,Kooks 1 7/8" Long tube header,Classic Chambered Powersticks, hurst,off road X-pipe, Strano springs & Koni's, Monster level 2 clutch, HPtuners wide band tuned and a homemade ram air box sealed off.
DaSkinnyGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 11:09 PM   #67
HeadlessNorseman
 
HeadlessNorseman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Branch NJ
Posts: 706
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shownomercy View Post
I usually just brake.... oh wait, what?

Nevermind.... lol
manual noob!

I used to do it in traffic because sometimes you need to take off again. But never into first. In fact i tried to not use first gear unless i was at a dead stop. Save some synchros and tranny mounts lol
__________________
Formerly known as REED!

JSFBOA

Draino?

Last edited by HeadlessNorseman; 06-08-2009 at 11:10 PM.
HeadlessNorseman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2009, 11:10 PM   #68
NJ Torque
11 Second Club
 
NJ Torque's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Edison, NJ
Posts: 4,620
iTrader: (29)
Social Networks:

Quote:
Originally Posted by J.Reed View Post
manual noob!
hes got an auto... lol
__________________
1999 Z28 Convertible. 6 speed swap, wide cowl hood, full hockey stripes, and a whining 10 bolt.

2008 Sierra Vortec Max. 6.2 swapped, headers, Magnaflow catback, GMPP CAI, NHT optioned tow package.

2006 GTO, 11.48 @ 118.3
NJ Torque is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 06:27 AM   #69
1_Hot_SOM_WS6
12 Second Club
 
1_Hot_SOM_WS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Williamstown/Atlantic City, NJ
Posts: 2,261
iTrader: (0)
I ALWAYS put it in neutral...lol. It doesnt matter if I am coming to a stop light or pulling in the driveway...lol.
__________________
2001 SOM Trans-Am WS6 *12.35 @ 114.55mph*
2011 Honda AKA Tori the Crosstour
1_Hot_SOM_WS6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 06:44 AM   #70
Blackbirdws6
Lord of the rings / 10 Second Club / Meet Coordinator
 
Blackbirdws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Millstone Township, NJ
Posts: 6,387
iTrader: (3)
50/50 here. I downshift sometimes and other times I just throw it in neutral and coast. Brakes are cheaper than clutch/trans. However I do like the sound of blipping the throttle and executing a smooth downshift.
__________________

97 T/A Ram Air Convt
Forever dyno queen / 777rwhp 662 rwtq @ 17lbs / 10.2 @ 140

'24 Corvette Z06
'17 Sierra 2500HD Dmax
'17 Lex LS460
Blackbirdws6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 07:37 AM   #71
JL8Jeff
Hippy Mod, Bergermeister Meisterberger, Moderator
 
JL8Jeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ewing
Posts: 6,216
iTrader: (3)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryanfx View Post
it uses less gas to downshift. Proven on a full PCM scanner on multiple cars.
There's no way that's true. When I'm heading to the river and I hit the downhill portion leading up to the traffic light I coast an easy half mile or more at 45 mph with the engine at idle. If you downshifted you wouldn't even make it to the light without having to give it gas.

Brakes are a lot cheaper than clutch jobs but don't forget that downshifting is putting a sudden surge to your engine which loads it up a bit and causes more engine wear than coasting does. In the long run, I'm sure downshifting causes more wear, maintenance and costs than coasting does. But it would probably take at least 150K miles to really find out so I doubt we'll be able to prove anything. It's really just a driving style thing. I bet most of the people that downshift have a cutout or Loudmouth exhaust as well.
__________________
69 Z28 JL8 4 wheel disc brakes - being restored
09 Silverado Z71
JL8Jeff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 11:12 AM   #72
NastyEllEssWon
 
NastyEllEssWon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Delran
Posts: 6,785
iTrader: (11)
Quote:
Originally Posted by JL8Jeff View Post

Brakes are a lot cheaper than clutch jobs but don't forget that downshifting is putting a sudden surge to your engine which loads it up a bit and causes more engine wear than coasting does. In the long run, I'm sure downshifting causes more wear, maintenance and costs than coasting does.



good stuff right there. my feelings exactly
NastyEllEssWon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 11:21 AM   #73
Jam
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Long Branch, NJ
Posts: 805
iTrader: (2)
i mostly downshift and try to have my engine slow me down rather than braking since my rotors are a little warped.
Jam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 03:52 PM   #74
BurninrubberGT
 
BurninrubberGT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: south & north nj
Posts: 1,482
iTrader: (0)
im a coaster most of the time, you get farther with less gas, but i do down shift occasionally

really depends on the situation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy View Post
Coast.
cough cough lol
__________________
99 Legacy - slow winter dd
04 GTO - less slower summer dd
84 Trans Am - Father's car - all original / original owner

Last edited by BurninrubberGT; 06-09-2009 at 03:53 PM.
BurninrubberGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 05:11 PM   #75
Anti_Rice_Guy
The Mayor / 2009 Member of the Year / Moderator
 
Anti_Rice_Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northwest
Posts: 8,869
iTrader: (1)
Social Networks:

Quote:
Originally Posted by BurninrubberGT View Post
im a coaster most of the time, you get farther with less gas, but i do down shift occasionally

really depends on the situation



cough cough lol
I've probably spent more time driving manuals than you haha....so what if I've never driven a stick vehicle under 7500 lbs...
__________________
1995 Z28 Convertible A4 13.78 @ 100 (CAI, high flow cat, catback, 160 thermo, hypertech, Strano springs, Koni yellows, sway bars, 3 pt. UMI SFC)
2018 Sea Doo GTX - 3 cylinders and das boooooost
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen View Post
Is English your 2nd language? Did you graduate high school? Your posts make my head hurt.
Team FARM
Anti_Rice_Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

  NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Community Forums > Lounge


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Sponsor List














All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.