double clutching with modern synchro mesh yields little to no results...however heel and toe shifting can be helpful in accelerating out of a turn, but until you master it yeilds very little too....keep in mind most of these techniques apply to older transmissions

 

Yes, older transmissions indeed. The heel and toe shifting is used for drifting and racing. I'd advise against people using this outside of these situations if they have synchros. I have a couple of slight weight shifts when I do shift once in a while, but mastering a transmission with just your left foot and hand is good. By doing this you'll get a sense of knowing your car better and even mastering a part of it. Even the pros use the clutch when they shift. Just do it quickly and smoothly. I shift without letting my foot completely leave the gas pedal, but I am not applying gas. It is all in letting the gas off slowly and then cutting down the time you have the clutch disengaged so the tires and engine don't have time to be going faster than the each other. Work on it and get better. There is nothing like a clear day with the windows down and a manual transmission.

 

wow back from the dead !

no posts on this since 2004 ...

 

Haha. Well, here's my .02 anyway, since it's been resurrected.

I have never been able to heel & toe, I guess I'm too clumsy or something.
I kind of have my own technique of downshifting while braking. When I'm ready to shift I
place my right foot so that it rests on the brake and throttle at the same time, then brake with the ball of my foot and rev-match as I shift by 'flicking' the right part of my foot on the throttle.

 

Umm, Gary ? You realize that pretty much is heel and toe, right ?

 

want to go into detail for me?

 

The synchros in your transmission are what allow clutchless shifting (I couldn't see that article, so I don't know what it said). Basically, as long as the revs are matched to your speed, you can shift without the clutch.

For example, if your engine revs 500 rpm less in 4th than in 3rd at a given speed, that is how many rpms you need to DECREASE on the upshift, or INCREASE for the downshift - when the rpms are correct for the vehicle speed, you will be able to push the shifter into gear. Of course when you are learning, you will grind gears, so it's not for the faint of heart.

What jersey is saying is to blip the throttle to increase the revs the appropriate amount for the dwonshift, so the shifter will slide in when you downshift. It is a neat thing when you get it. you do have to apply some pressure to get it to happen, but as long as you don't force it, it won't go into gear if the rpms are not matched to the speed.

I have a P5, and I don't shift without the clutch as I have a hard time matching the revs consistently. I had an 87 VW, which I only ever used the clutch from 1st to 2nd, and from 3rd to 2nd (never downshift to 1st unless you are pretty much stopped and have the clutch in...).

Hope this helps

 

I have seen people talking about heel and toeing using their heel on the brake and toe on the gas. I can't understand how this will work. I can't recall where I originally read about the technique, but you use your toes on the brake (to allow for the best feel) and your heel on the gas to blip the throttle, increasing revs enough to match engine speed to road speed on the downshift (with most cars you will be rolling your ankle and using the side of your foot on the gas pedal). Anyone who rides a motorcycle should know about this. What you are trying for is to minimize the changes to the car's chassis while cornering, and getting the engine into the meat of the powerband in order to maximize exit speed. It really isn't a difficult skill to learn, and once you do it you will never think twice about it. If you ride with someone who doesn't use it you will cringe (like when I was with my brother-in-law in his Honda S2000. The man has no clue about matching revs, it really sucks).

Oh yeah, and this has the added benefit of reducing wear and tear on your drivetrain. I have never upshifted a car without the clutch (have done so on a bike), can't really see the benefit.

 

rev-matching every single shift (especially downshifts) is ftw

I heel-toe .. but not with my heel and toe. With the Mazdaspeed pedals on my 3rd gen Protege, there is a lip on the brake and accelerator pedals bringing them very close together.. I just put my foot in the middle and tilt to vary the pressure to each pedal.