downshifting for speed - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

grahak2 · 05-24-2016, 09:33 PM

Hi,

After I had the LS3 for a while I noticed how 6th gear is just a cruising speed and to get any passing power you got to get into 5th. Sometimes I want more power than 5th and want to shift into 4th but am scared I might miss and get into 2nd and damage my engine since I am going over the max speed for 2nd.

When I downshift into 5th if I missed and hit 3rd I would still be under the max speed for 3rd.

Just wondering how many of you guys do down shift into 4th or even 3rd when you need more power and if you miss 4th and hit 2nd and are over the max speed for 2nd is this an instant push rod bend or problem or if you get it into a higher gear quick will it be okay.

I don't need to do this often usually 5th is good but I got about 15 miles of open road and every once in a while when I pass the person going slower they want to challenge me and I hate to give them the feeling they could hang and have someone trying to compete when I could just get on down the road.

I've been driving a manual for 25 yrs but this is my 1st one that had this much power, so I rarely misshift, but if once is a enough to cause a big problem I might want to not do it on a car that is only 6 months old.

I know this post could cause negative feedback for the if you want to drive fast use the track but I am not street racing or challenging anyone just enjoying the car when there is room too.

Thanks,
Kevin

havelegs · 05-24-2016, 09:53 PM

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I do not think it will allow you to shift into a gear in which your engine speed will be damaging.

jrhagen · 05-24-2016, 10:01 PM

3rd-4th is the natural position for the shifter. You have to pull for 1st-2nd and push for 5th-6th.
You would have to really try to miss shifting down to 3rd or 4th from either 5th or 6th.

grahak2 · 05-24-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havelegs

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I do not think it will allow you to shift into a gear in which your engine speed will be damaging.

Hi,

I was hoping that. Will it grind at least so you know? Thought I read where a guy shifted into 1st and caused some damage.

Thanks,
Kevin

grahak2 · 05-24-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhagen

3rd-4th is the natural position for the shifter. You have to pull for 1st-2nd and push for 5th-6th.
You would have to really try to miss shifting down to 3rd or 4th from either 5th or 6th.

See your point, and agree but if it can been shifted into any gear at any speed it makes me a little scared. I had a civic and if you tried to shift into 1st above its speed band it would grind so you would not put it in there.

Thanks,
Kevin

havelegs · 05-24-2016, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahak2

Hi,

I was hoping that. Will it grind at least so you know? Thought I read where a guy shifted into 1st and caused some damage.

Thanks,
Kevin

Well, I have an auto but from my previous experiences with later model manual cars, you are usually blocked from down shifting too far. I would assume the Camaro has this as well, or at least grind horribly.

Homeless Man · 05-24-2016, 10:38 PM

I don't see how u can go from 6th to 2nd instead of 4th unless you have a seizure while shifting

Clammy Clemens · 05-24-2016, 10:51 PM

The Camaro is designed to literally not allow you to shift if the shift will damage the engine. I've accidentally hit a paddle shifter driving once and it told me the shift wasn't allowed.

Dizzy82 · 05-24-2016, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clammy Clemens

The Camaro is designed to literally not allow you to shift if the shift will damage the engine. I've accidentally hit a paddle shifter driving once and it told me the shift wasn't allowed.

I think OP is driving a manual.

Clammy Clemens · 05-24-2016, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy82

I think OP is driving a manual.

Oh, is it not the same for all transmissions?

Blazer098 · 05-24-2016, 11:27 PM

I understand your concern, but you shouldn't have to worry about going to first or second. I downshift to third and fourth on the highway all the time and I've never had a problem with getting the wrong gear.

grahak2 · 05-24-2016, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer098

I understand your concern, but you shouldn't have to worry about going to first or second. I downshift to third and fourth on the highway all the time and I've never had a problem with getting the wrong gear.

Ok, thanks.

Kevin

grahak2 · 05-25-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeless Man

I don't see how u can go from 6th to 2nd instead of 4th unless you have a seizure while shifting

Well this guy misshifted from 5th to 2nd and if he could I figure I could.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423773

Sorry to the op of the link above for bringing back up I just remember reading this.

Kevin

ghosted · 05-25-2016, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clammy Clemens

Oh, is it not the same for all transmissions?

No, with the manual transmission, you're actually moving a shift linkage to manually move gears inside of the transmission. With your paddle shifter on an automatic transmission, you're basically just electronically asking solenoids to move some stuff around inside of the transmission.

They differ quite a bit.

05-24-2016, 09:33 PM	#1
grahak2 Drives: 2021 scatpack challenger 6spd cinna Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: AZ Posts: 427	downshifting for speed Hi, After I had the LS3 for a while I noticed how 6th gear is just a cruising speed and to get any passing power you got to get into 5th. Sometimes I want more power than 5th and want to shift into 4th but am scared I might miss and get into 2nd and damage my engine since I am going over the max speed for 2nd. When I downshift into 5th if I missed and hit 3rd I would still be under the max speed for 3rd. Just wondering how many of you guys do down shift into 4th or even 3rd when you need more power and if you miss 4th and hit 2nd and are over the max speed for 2nd is this an instant push rod bend or problem or if you get it into a higher gear quick will it be okay. I don't need to do this often usually 5th is good but I got about 15 miles of open road and every once in a while when I pass the person going slower they want to challenge me and I hate to give them the feeling they could hang and have someone trying to compete when I could just get on down the road. I've been driving a manual for 25 yrs but this is my 1st one that had this much power, so I rarely misshift, but if once is a enough to cause a big problem I might want to not do it on a car that is only 6 months old. I know this post could cause negative feedback for the if you want to drive fast use the track but I am not street racing or challenging anyone just enjoying the car when there is room too. Thanks, Kevin

05-24-2016, 10:38 PM	#7
Homeless Man Homeless Life Chose Me Drives: LS3 (sold 4/21) Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Streets of Philly Posts: 3,650	I don't see how u can go from 6th to 2nd instead of 4th unless you have a seizure while shifting __________________ Pity a man in familiar places, who yet feels like a stranger.

05-24-2016, 11:27 PM	#11
Blazer098 Drives: 2015 Summit White SS Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Oregon City, OR Posts: 357 View My Garage	I understand your concern, but you shouldn't have to worry about going to first or second. I downshift to third and fourth on the highway all the time and I've never had a problem with getting the wrong gear. __________________ Full Bolt-Ons w/ Nightfury Cam (471rwhp)

05-24-2016, 09:53 PM	#2
havelegs Drives: '23 LT1 A10 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 994	I'm not 100% sure on this, but I do not think it will allow you to shift into a gear in which your engine speed will be damaging.

05-24-2016, 10:01 PM	#3
jrhagen Banned Drives: Camaro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Posts: 2,701	3rd-4th is the natural position for the shifter. You have to pull for 1st-2nd and push for 5th-6th. You would have to really try to miss shifting down to 3rd or 4th from either 5th or 6th.

05-24-2016, 10:51 PM	#8
Clammy Clemens Z2M Drives: Oxford White 2014 Mustang GT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: ATX Posts: 124	The Camaro is designed to literally not allow you to shift if the shift will damage the engine. I've accidentally hit a paddle shifter driving once and it told me the shift wasn't allowed.