Down shifting the 6 speed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
I use the brakes or I downshift, it just depends on my mood. Being able to row the gears at will is major reason the 6-speed is so much fun. Don't let a worry about downshifting rob you of the fun. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
I downshift every gear except to 1st coming to a stop. Sometimes i don't bother doing a 3-2. I like knowing the car is in the proper rpm range when braking. I normally let the engine do a lot of the braking just because i hate constantly applying brakes.
I can pretty much downshift any gear to rev match and not have the car lurch one bit. That is the way to downshift not to disturb the balance of the car.
I have started heel/toe downshifting just because it is something i must learn on the track and that is the most effective way to slow the car down and exit the corner the fastest.
I can pretty much downshift any gear to rev match and not have the car lurch one bit. That is the way to downshift not to disturb the balance of the car.
I have started heel/toe downshifting just because it is something i must learn on the track and that is the most effective way to slow the car down and exit the corner the fastest.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 42
From: Lake Norrell Arkansas
Well, OK and thanks for all the comments. I will continue to enjoy my car by driving it the way I have been. It is a whole lot of fun to shift up and down. That is the reason I wanted a 6 speed. Love to hear the pipes while winding out through the gears and then down shifting letting the pipes back off. One thing I do need to watch is winding out 1st, 2nd and 3rd from red lights. You are going way over the legal speed limit by the time 3rd is wound out to shift into 4th. But what a thrill. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
You hit the nail square on the head there,,,The exact thought when I read the post!!! My sharks 4 speed and 4th in the M6 are both 1 to 1 ratios!! Coming down the mountains going to visit sister in law in Atlanta ,,,I usually kick it into neutral and only tap the brakes when it starts getting too far above 85!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
This comes up a lot.
The bottom line consensus seems to be that brakes are on all four corners, cheaper, and better at slowing/stopping the car.
That the cut of the gears in the C5 (meaning they are cut on an angle with respect to the sides of the gear...like this \\\\\) does not lend itself well to carrying load from the wheels backwards to the clutch and on to the engine (as you would be doing when you use the tranny to slow down). Proper race transmissions apparently have the gears cut straight...like this [[[[[...and are better suited to bear the force in either direction.
So.....use the brakes to slow down unless you are trying, for some reason to just effect the rear of the car (as in drifting it out for some reason).
Yes I drive an A4, yes I used to use the tranny to slow down sometimes when I drove a manual car, but that was before I started to frequent this vertiable font of information that we have here at CF
YMMV
The bottom line consensus seems to be that brakes are on all four corners, cheaper, and better at slowing/stopping the car.
That the cut of the gears in the C5 (meaning they are cut on an angle with respect to the sides of the gear...like this \\\\\) does not lend itself well to carrying load from the wheels backwards to the clutch and on to the engine (as you would be doing when you use the tranny to slow down). Proper race transmissions apparently have the gears cut straight...like this [[[[[...and are better suited to bear the force in either direction.
So.....use the brakes to slow down unless you are trying, for some reason to just effect the rear of the car (as in drifting it out for some reason).
Yes I drive an A4, yes I used to use the tranny to slow down sometimes when I drove a manual car, but that was before I started to frequent this vertiable font of information that we have here at CF
YMMV
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
The Vette I only downshift during spirited drives. I have a '89 Camaro w/ 5-Spd. In that thing it was absolutely necessary to downshift. Trying to do too much braking/turning caused massive understeer.
The Corvette is a different animal though
The Corvette is a different animal though
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Down shifting is a carry over from the ox-cart days of whimpy drum brakes that were more like dragging your feet than real braking.There is no need to do it,but if done properly would only cause minor wear I think. Could be hard on the rubber bits in the torque tube also.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
True enough, but if you're going to worry about one thing or another being expensive to replace might as well just park it.
If you're driving on the street probably better to use the brakes, but if you're out for some spirited driving in the twisties go ahead and down shift. Drive it like it was intended to be driven You gotta pay to play...
Nick
If you're driving on the street probably better to use the brakes, but if you're out for some spirited driving in the twisties go ahead and down shift. Drive it like it was intended to be driven
You gotta pay to play...Nick
Screw the brakes, save them for when you need them. Downshift into a corner and then nail the gas and fly out of the turn.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Brakes are to stop the car. Slowing down is best accomplished by letting off the gas or downshifting. If you need to stop quicker than what letting off the gas or downshifting will allow, use the brakes.
Driving or in most cases, learning to drive to take advantage off the performance and handling capabilities of the Corvette means not driving it like a Buick Park Avenue.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
You hit the brakes in a turn and you're going to have to downshift anyway. Your brain allows you to select the proper gear to ACCELLERATE out of turns.
Brakes are to stop the car. Slowing down is best accomplished by letting off the gas or downshifting. If you need to stop quicker than what letting off the gas or downshifting will allow, use the brakes.
Driving or in most cases, learning to drive to take advantage off the performance and handling capabilities of the Corvette means not driving it like a Buick Park Avenue.
Brakes are to stop the car. Slowing down is best accomplished by letting off the gas or downshifting. If you need to stop quicker than what letting off the gas or downshifting will allow, use the brakes.
Driving or in most cases, learning to drive to take advantage off the performance and handling capabilities of the Corvette means not driving it like a Buick Park Avenue.
Please don't tell me about driving it like a Park Avenue
