How do you shift your M6/M12?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
It will drive pretty smooth if you are just putting around,and shift 1st,3rd,5th. and 6th.The wider spread between the gears make the engagement a little smoother. But honestly,,it's sooo much more fun hitting the gears,,,it IS a performance car!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 6
From: Manassas VA/Flagler Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '13,'19
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I have an M12, and I know what you're talking about. First to second is kind of hard to shift smoothly. I usually DO shift with a very minimal clunk, but it's nothing I really care about and the passenger never cares either.
I've started a few times in second, but I don't want to wear down my clutch. I usually go from 1st to 3rd to 5th to 6th unless I want to get going fast. Sometimes I go from 1st to 4th to 6th.
I shift smoothly because most of the time my passenger is a girl. If it's a guy, I could care less. LOL
I've started a few times in second, but I don't want to wear down my clutch. I usually go from 1st to 3rd to 5th to 6th unless I want to get going fast. Sometimes I go from 1st to 4th to 6th.
I shift smoothly because most of the time my passenger is a girl. If it's a guy, I could care less. LOL
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
I learned to shift like this from my track experiences in my previous bmw m3, but that was a five speed.
http://www.shortshifter.com/techniques2.htm
Helps prevent you from money shifting (downshifting too far and throwing a piston out of your hood).
In terms of smooth shifting, I wouldn't worry about it, but every now and then I like to see just how smooth I can get it.
It's a really cool feeling when you can shift with no jerk at close to WOT, very hard, but extremely odd feeling, like a high performance 8 speed automatic.
Someone mentioned it earlier, is that you just need to rev match it, and use a real smooth clutch motion. I've found this is a lot easier in a corvette than it was in any porsche, bmw or audi I've driven (especially audi's).
http://www.shortshifter.com/techniques2.htm
Helps prevent you from money shifting (downshifting too far and throwing a piston out of your hood).
In terms of smooth shifting, I wouldn't worry about it, but every now and then I like to see just how smooth I can get it.
It's a really cool feeling when you can shift with no jerk at close to WOT, very hard, but extremely odd feeling, like a high performance 8 speed automatic.
Someone mentioned it earlier, is that you just need to rev match it, and use a real smooth clutch motion. I've found this is a lot easier in a corvette than it was in any porsche, bmw or audi I've driven (especially audi's).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I usually shift 1,3,5,6. Shift shock is hardly noticeable. The gears are very tall, so if you're not driving fast, skip 2nd and 4th from a stop and shift shock will be minimal.
Easing the clutch isn't as important as making sure the shifts are at the right RPM for the speed. Speed/rev matching makes shifts smoother no matter which direction you're shifting.
The combination of shifting without 2nd and 4th while rev matching to speed and easing the clutch out will yield the smoothest shifts.
Easing the clutch isn't as important as making sure the shifts are at the right RPM for the speed. Speed/rev matching makes shifts smoother no matter which direction you're shifting.
The combination of shifting without 2nd and 4th while rev matching to speed and easing the clutch out will yield the smoothest shifts.
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I never worried about it to be quite honest. If there was a slight clutch engagement, so be it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
i have never owned a manual car, and only had maybe 2 hours of experience with a manual transmission in my entire life before i bought the vette about a year ago. i go through all the gears accelerating. i heel-toe downshift and rev match every time i decelerate and come to a stop. i can now upshift and downshift flawlessly with no jerking even with my b&m shifter. i did drive about 16k miles last year though, and it is my daily driver. i think most people are probably a lot lazier with the shifter and dont go through all the gears every time like i do. every time i go driving i pay very close attention to my shifting and try to improve it every time i drive. perhaps if you practiced like i did you will get really good at it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 2
From: Titusville FL
I hate it when someone rides with me...especally my wife. Makes me fucus to much on shifting so it does not feel comfortable / natual. My wife's "backseat" drivers license won't let her relax in the passengers seat...if you know what I mean. Other than that it just happens flawlessly.
