Downshiifting vs. Neutral
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 742
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From: Atlanta GA
Downshiifting vs. Neutral
I have heard a few discussions on the effects of both, but to clearly put it, which is better and is there really and difference? I know slowing to a stop in neutral is harder on the brakes, but is it harder elsewhere on the car compared to downshifting? Pros and Cons? Thanks! :lurk:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 483
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From: Austin Tx
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (maddog2)
Brakes are designed to decelerate the car, clutches are designed to allow smooth interruption of the flow of power between engine and wheels. Brake pads are NOT expensive to change; clutches' are.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge GA
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (maddog2)
I agree with all above.
Downshifting should only be used when necessary as in racing when brake fade is an issue.
Downshifting can put excessive backpressure on an engine, tranny and clutch. Synchro's can take a beating if not done properly.
It's is your money though.
Downshifting should only be used when necessary as in racing when brake fade is an issue.
Downshifting can put excessive backpressure on an engine, tranny and clutch. Synchro's can take a beating if not done properly.
It's is your money though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,029
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From: Wichita KS
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Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (Bugster57)
also...rev limiter will not prevent over rev when downshifting.
(mechanical over rev)
(mechanical over rev)
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (maddog2)
thanks ya'll...I guess to sum it up, while downshifting is a helluva lot more fun, slowing in Neutral is better and cheaper overall for the car, even slowing from fifth gear?.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 1
From: NC
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (maddog2)
:rant: For Christ sake...Drive the car already...You'd think the Vette
was made of fine china the way some people talk. Over 40 years of
driving all kinds of cars, I've up shifted and down shifted cars under
all driving conditions and never blew a clutch or trans.
From the oldest flathead Fords to early Toyota Corolla' to tons of
Chevy's in between, I have never replaced a clutch.
Had a Nissan 200sx and finally replaced a clutch at 160k miles.
Car was old and still runs at 200k miles. My ex-wife downshifted that car
on every corner and stop. She drives a Maxima now the same way with
over 100k on it.
Stop portraying the Vette as some kitty car that will fall apart as soon
as you start to exert some pressure.
RANT OFF
...GeorgeC
was made of fine china the way some people talk. Over 40 years of
driving all kinds of cars, I've up shifted and down shifted cars under
all driving conditions and never blew a clutch or trans.
From the oldest flathead Fords to early Toyota Corolla' to tons of
Chevy's in between, I have never replaced a clutch.
Had a Nissan 200sx and finally replaced a clutch at 160k miles.
Car was old and still runs at 200k miles. My ex-wife downshifted that car
on every corner and stop. She drives a Maxima now the same way with
over 100k on it.
Stop portraying the Vette as some kitty car that will fall apart as soon
as you start to exert some pressure.
RANT OFF
...GeorgeC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky basketball is life the rest is just details
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (jfpilla)
I agree that vettes are a lot tougher than anyone gives them credit for, but the simple fact is that brakes are the cheapest component in the system. Why take a chance on breaking something else? I would still downshift every now and then (for fun) but not constantly. :D
That being said, I never downshift mine anymore but for a different reason. It's got a supercharger on it and hitting boost while you're trying to slow down makes for a very exciting fifteen seconds :banghead: :lolg: :lolg:
That being said, I never downshift mine anymore but for a different reason. It's got a supercharger on it and hitting boost while you're trying to slow down makes for a very exciting fifteen seconds :banghead: :lolg: :lolg:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 1
From: NC
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (SleepieAce)
I agree that vettes are a lot tougher than anyone gives them credit for, but the simple fact is that brakes are the cheapest component in the system. Why take a chance on breaking something else? I would still downshift every now and then (for fun) but not constantly. :D
cheapest component to replace" a realistic way to drive?
Does anyone really get in a car and think about what will wear sooner or
faster than another? I don't think so.
For every component that wears or breaks because of "normal" or even
excessive use, there is a certain percentage that fails prematurely.
I mean you have people on this forum who "baby" their Vettes and still
have component failures. Yet others literally beat the snot out of them
at tracks on the weekends and experience few problems, other than
premature tire wear :D ....Which by the way, is as expensive as a clutch.
On a side note, why is it that with the huge numbers cars & trucks on the
all the roads in the world for all the years that tires have been in existence,
don't we see enormous piles of worn rubber on the side of the roads?
Where does it all go? :confused: :confused: :confused:
...GeorgeC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (georgec114)
:rant: For Christ sake...Drive the car already...You'd think the Vette
was made of fine china the way some people talk. Over 40 years of
driving all kinds of cars, I've up shifted and down shifted cars under
all driving conditions and never blew a clutch or trans.
was made of fine china the way some people talk. Over 40 years of
driving all kinds of cars, I've up shifted and down shifted cars under
all driving conditions and never blew a clutch or trans.
Actually, I'd like to point out that I have created a 4.324 Mb Excel Spreadsheet that I will e-mail to anyone who wants it. If you plug in the initial value of your car, and the options and press the RUN button (carefully) it will show you that the best way to save money and wear and tear on your Corvette is to park it in the garage and push it by hand to the driveway each day and put Zaino on it over and over again, then get a lawn chair and just sit and stare at it all day long.
:banghead:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (jfpilla)
:iagree:
George you are right on. :steering: :steering: :steering:
George you are right on. :steering: :steering: :steering:
Been doing this for years, just not from high RPM's though. Usually when exiting from the freeway or when approaching a traffic light. If done properly, it is no big deal. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 742
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (maddog2)
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start a war here.... :crazy: I just bought my c5 four weeks ago and have taken it for joy rides almost nightly = running it very hard constantly. I have been abusing the clutch a little and all I wanted was a few opinions as I am 19, in college and cannot afford a whole new vette just yet! (Yes, I did save for backup before i got the car in case something does happen, I'm not that irresponsible). I have pushed it hard, but I havn't taken it to its limits yet, I just wanted some humble opinions...geez :crazy: :smash: :D
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Downshiifting vs. Neutral (maddog2)
The key thing when downshifting is like a lot of other things.....as long as you're not plastering your face into the windshield every time you downshift and let the clutch out, you should be OK. It's the extreme RPM swings that add up over time and cause increased wear and tear to the driveline.
:thumbs: Have fun with that puppy! :thumbs:
:thumbs: Have fun with that puppy! :thumbs: