Epic noob shifting question

[H8ted1488]

So I've had my X for a while now, and I am still noobish when it comes to trying to accelerate really fast and change gears. I need some advice. Here is my dilema.... While I'm accelerating and shift from like 1st to 2nd, obviously the RPM's are lower in 2nd then they would be in first. Well the problem is that I'm not sure if I am supposed to let the RPMs fall a bit before releasing the clutch in the next gear, or let it go right away and have the car buck around for a second. I know that alot of you are going to laugh at this stupidity, but it really stumps me. I know for normal driving purposes I can let the RPMs fall whenever I change gears for a seamless transition. But when I am trying to go from 0 to whatever as fast as I can, it seems stupid to let off the accelerator for the amount of time to wait for the RPMs to fall. But it also sucks when Im going from 2nd to 3rd and im shifting quick and the car is buckin around like no other. Sorry if this is confusing but its hard to explain. If anyone can decipher this nonsense and help me out it would be greatly appreciated

[revvin9k]

You are putting wayyyy too much thought into it man.

[awdftw]

[Blackened Sky]

Hahahaha boost

[H8ted1488]

I knew everyone would find this funny lol.... guess Im nuking it.... I'll just deal with the bucking I guess

[awdftw]

you don't have any friends that drive stick, do you?

cause if I did, they'd be the first ones I would ask.

[JimGVT]

I'm no expert, but I would suggest just trying to be a little smoother with the clutch release. You don't have to be slow to be smooth, but it does take practice. Primary thing is to be smooth through the point where the clutch engages. It will also save some wear and tear on the drivetrain.

[Pal215]

I think your letting off the clutch much fast. Smooth out your clutch work, and no, don't just sit and wait for the rpm's to fall lol.

[ROOKHOE]

You definately need to let off the clutch slower.

[casper3043]

if you're trying to make quick shifts then "letting out the clutch slower" isn't going to help you, unless you want to roast it. the problem is that your not giving it enough throttle quick enough as your releasing the clutch. now if you really just want to make some fast times, bang gears, then power shift, lol. you won't have to worry about letting off the gas at all or rpms dropping. just start a tranny fund.

[H8ted1488]

Thanks for the input.... I think I have a better idea on what I need to be doing now, I'm gonna go ahead and practice. Thanks all.

[luvmyred9]

Originally Posted by casper3043

if you're trying to make quick shifts then "letting out the clutch slower" isn't going to help you, unless you want to roast it. the problem is that your not giving it enough throttle quick enough as your releasing the clutch. now if you really just want to make some fast times, bang gears, then power shift, lol. you won't have to worry about letting off the gas at all or rpms dropping. just start a tranny fund.

What he said. You can let the clutch out fast just give it more gas its all about timing

[cfdfireman1]

It all depends what you're trying to accomplish, are you racing the 1/4 mile and do you have a pocket full of $$$$$$$$$$$.. Watch some in car road racing footage on youtube and listen to how they shift it's fast but smooth and easy on the car and clutch.

[MATT@WORKS]

So "flat shifting" is where you don't lift off the throttle when the clutch is depressed for shifts. This is faster 90% of the time but is probably 100% worse for everything between the engine and the ground. "Granny shifting" is a clever term for the right way to shift in most cases: 1) Lift off throttle, 2) clutch in, 3) gear up, 4) clutch out, 5) add throttle. This is a very efficient way to shift, and with some practice can be really VERY fast. In racing, especially endurance racing, we very rarely use flat shifting since it wears everything out. If you really want to get serious about some quick granny shifts you can look into lighter rotating parts like clutches and flywheels. These are intentionally made very heavy by manufacturers to make the normal driver feel a bit more comfortable cruising around town-- they are NOT made to create blitz-quick shifts. You can also take a look at your Idle-Air-Control-Valve map in the ECU, these are often also made a bit aggressive to try and stop the quick drop in RPM between shift to help brain dead drivers.

Since cfdfireman1 mentioned it, here are a couple videos explaining a few things... This is flat shifting with a sequential gearbox. This is COMPLETELY possible in an H-pattern box with lightweight flywheels and clutches and, in this case, with computer help. We did it a number of times this year in our Grand Am M3 WITHOUT help from the computer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHbj3b6t9w

This next video is proof that some practice (and some good engine tuning WITHOUT the IACV) can produce some very fast shifting! This was the GS M3 I drove at Jersey this year. None of these shifts are "flat". They are just well-timed "granny shifts" on a COMPLETELY STOCK DRIVETRAIN, including clutch and flywheel. This is very possible on an Evo if you take the IACV out of the equation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTXfG7_XbYk

This final video is a BMW touring car with a modified H-Pattern gearbox and a 5", very lightweight clutch/flywheel. The car is NEVER flat shifted but is still VERY fast. The difference between this car and the M3 above is mostly in downshifts as it isn't revving up as much mass in the drivetrain to match the next gear down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAO-R7x1Vbo

Hope that all helped...

[lowkey]

Wow, in that 2nd clip the driver really had his hands full on the wet track, looked liked fun though.