Down shifting the manual 6 speed. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

aron77 · 06-19-2011, 10:34 PM

I haven't driven a stick in more than 6 years so I'm rusty and not shifting smoothly anyways but this 6 speed seems totally different than a 5 speed cuz I never know what gear I want whereas a 5 speed I had a good feel for what gear for what speed and how much I could downshift without redlining or being too hard on it. Alot of times when I downshift one gear like from 6 to 5 I don't get the power I want to really pass someone or to just feel that power but other than getting on it too much I'm a little tentative with this thing so I'm afriad to just downshift two gears. But when I do get that power wow this thing packs a punch and I'm surprized at how much more power this has than my 98 v6 firebird that I just upgraded from. I still like my firebird and I thought it packed a good punch for a v6 but I am wowed by this camaro and I didn't expect as much of a difference. I'll be fine once I get used to it but any advice on the shifting?

The Stig · 06-19-2011, 10:37 PM

5th and 6th gear are economy gears. If you want some passing power drop down to forth. Just be sure to rev match

John Deere Boy · 06-19-2011, 11:04 PM

By rev match, are you saying we need to double clutch and spin up the input side of the transmission to match speeds before downshifting? Or can the synchros handle the downshift themselves without taking abuse?

The Stig · 06-19-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Deere Boy

By rev match, are you saying we need to double clutch and spin up the input side of the transmission to match speeds before downshifting? Or can the synchros handle the downshift themselves without taking abuse?

The first one. While the synchros can handle the downshifting and the change of speed it isn't healthy for them. It's not necessarily bad for them either, but over the lifetime of the car you can imagine that it starts to add up.

Hicompression · 06-19-2011, 11:14 PM

You'll get used to it. I use 6th gear sparingly...even when on the highway.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 06-19-2011, 11:17 PM

Your best bet is to shift it into the gear you want... and then rev match it..give it gas to match the drive train speed as you let the clutch out so you dont stand the car on its nose... and then do what you want....

I often go from 6th to 3rd... and hang the f%&k on....

OP, it wont take long for you to learn what gear is appropriate for the speed you are going... and for what you want to do.... Wanna ease around someone in a safe passing zone, go for 5th... want to hurry around someone, go for 4th, and want to suck their headlights out as you go by, go for 3rd...

black79ta · 06-19-2011, 11:22 PM

x2 all of the above

aron77 · 06-19-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

Your best bet is to shift it into the gear you want... and then rev match it..give it gas to match the drive train speed as you let the clutch out so you dont stand the car on its nose... and then do what you want....

I often go from 6th to 3rd... and hang the f%&k on....

OP, it wont take long for you to learn what gear is appropriate for the speed you are going... and for what you want to do.... Wanna ease around someone in a safe passing zone, go for 5th... want to hurry around someone, go for 4th, and want to suck their headlights out as you go by, go for 3rd...

Wow 6th to 3rd. I've wanted to just punch it like that but I have been afraid of dropping a bunch of gears and tearing it up. But that sounds fun. I assume by rev to match that you mean to give it gas and get the rpms up to like 5 or 6 thousand?

Steve Dallas · 06-19-2011, 11:43 PM

Rev Match when you can, but I don't think there's any need to double clutch...

I generally push clutch in, tap the accellerator to get revs up, and let off on clutch when engine speed matches.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 06-19-2011, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Rev Match when you can, but I don't think there's any need to double clutch...

I generally push clutch in, tap the accellerator to get revs up, and let off on clutch when engine speed matches.

Exactly, there is no need to double clutch, stab the clutch, select the gear you want with the clutch on the floor, tap the throttle and start letting the clutch up and continue giving it gas until you are "rev" matched with the clutch fully out.... With a little practice, you can do this with no noticeable change in speed...other than what you loose coasting for a couple of seconds or less...

*SSE 4 2SS* · 06-19-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aron77

Wow 6th to 3rd. I've wanted to just punch it like that but I have been afraid of dropping a bunch of gears and tearing it up. But that sounds fun. I assume by rev to match that you mean to give it gas and get the rpms up to like 5 or 6 thousand?

Under power, I generally end up shifting into third at around 70 something mph... So why not down shift to there when I wanna go suddenly... again, tap the throttle to get it wound, don't aim for some unworldly specific number, just ease the clutch out and continue giving it a little gas until the clutch is fully out.... You are "rev" matched...

BLACK10 · 06-20-2011, 01:17 AM

I often drop it into 3rd while doing 80mph

aron77 · 06-20-2011, 02:01 AM

I guess I'm just being a little too protective of it cuz I like it so much lol. In the end I suppose dropping it down so much is no different than stomping on an automatic.

Maro99 · 06-20-2011, 02:02 AM

Dropping into 3rd on the interstate to pass is always the most fun! lol

06-19-2011, 10:34 PM	#1
aron77 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: KC MO Posts: 567	Down shifting the manual 6 speed. I haven't driven a stick in more than 6 years so I'm rusty and not shifting smoothly anyways but this 6 speed seems totally different than a 5 speed cuz I never know what gear I want whereas a 5 speed I had a good feel for what gear for what speed and how much I could downshift without redlining or being too hard on it. Alot of times when I downshift one gear like from 6 to 5 I don't get the power I want to really pass someone or to just feel that power but other than getting on it too much I'm a little tentative with this thing so I'm afriad to just downshift two gears. But when I do get that power wow this thing packs a punch and I'm surprized at how much more power this has than my 98 v6 firebird that I just upgraded from. I still like my firebird and I thought it packed a good punch for a v6 but I am wowed by this camaro and I didn't expect as much of a difference. I'll be fine once I get used to it but any advice on the shifting?

06-19-2011, 10:37 PM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	5th and 6th gear are economy gears. If you want some passing power drop down to forth. Just be sure to rev match __________________

06-19-2011, 11:04 PM	#3
John Deere Boy I bleed green Drives: '11 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Centerville, Indiana Posts: 462 View My Garage	By rev match, are you saying we need to double clutch and spin up the input side of the transmission to match speeds before downshifting? Or can the synchros handle the downshift themselves without taking abuse? __________________ 2011 2SS/RS LS3. Delivered 4/18/11. Solo Axle-back with J-pipes and quads, 35% tint, Yellow trim kit, Showstopper sidemarkers, babied garage queen. 2006 Silverado 3500 6.0, 1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

06-19-2011, 11:14 PM	#5
Hicompression Rumbly Bumble Bee Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 1,468	You'll get used to it. I use 6th gear sparingly...even when on the highway. __________________ 2010 RALLY YELLOW 2SS 6M -OBX Longtubes FTW!

06-19-2011, 11:17 PM	#6
SSE 4 2SS Boosted Moderator Drives: Bone Stock LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Marion Tx Posts: 15,802	Your best bet is to shift it into the gear you want... and then rev match it..give it gas to match the drive train speed as you let the clutch out so you dont stand the car on its nose... and then do what you want.... I often go from 6th to 3rd... and hang the f%&k on.... OP, it wont take long for you to learn what gear is appropriate for the speed you are going... and for what you want to do.... Wanna ease around someone in a safe passing zone, go for 5th... want to hurry around someone, go for 4th, and want to suck their headlights out as you go by, go for 3rd... __________________ If the car feels like it is on rails, you are probably driving too slow. -Ross Bentley Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you. “If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti If you can turn, you ain't going fast enough...

06-19-2011, 11:22 PM	#7
black79ta Drives: 79 transam with 582cid dart motor Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: missouri Posts: 529 View My Garage	x2 all of the above __________________ 2010 Camaro (inferno orange, 2SS, RS and such) cat backs, catch can, CAI on the way 79 Transam, 582 cid dart motor 779hp 315's out back 40spline gdaxles tko tranny

06-19-2011, 11:43 PM	#9
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	Rev Match when you can, but I don't think there's any need to double clutch... I generally push clutch in, tap the accellerator to get revs up, and let off on clutch when engine speed matches. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

06-20-2011, 01:17 AM	#12
BLACK10 Drives: 2010 CAMARO. 10.04@133mph, 1.4 60' Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 4,585	I often drop it into 3rd while doing 80mph

06-20-2011, 02:01 AM	#13
aron77 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: KC MO Posts: 567	I guess I'm just being a little too protective of it cuz I like it so much lol. In the end I suppose dropping it down so much is no different than stomping on an automatic.

06-20-2011, 02:02 AM	#14
Maro99 Drives: Heel toe express.. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Charleston, S.C Posts: 1,500	Dropping into 3rd on the interstate to pass is always the most fun! lol __________________ Camaro SOLD :(

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