12andy

Heel-toe double-clutching down into 2nd for every turn for me, city driving. The downshift commences at a fairly low RPM to avoid having to stab the gas pedal too much (around just over 1k RPM).

Best method for braking, gearing and steering control going into - navigating - and exiting a corner.

Anything else (barring the double-clutch) is a compromise, IMO:
- entering the corner in 3rd/ 4th, you're now bogging as you hit mid-point, and now have a split-second delay when downshifting into 2nd as you unwind the wheel; both hands are no longer on the wheel as well
- coasting through the corner is an instant fail

footballplaya3k

iTrader: (1)

If you shift into gear before rev matching you are causing a lot of wear on your synchros.

chris88z24

No you are not. You'd have to double clutch to "save wear on your synchros"

footballplaya3k

iTrader: (1)

Or don't downshift to slow down, which is my point

chris88z24

Downshift all day every day

footballplaya3k

iTrader: (1)

You must like replacing TOBs often.

UnkleRaRa

2006 with almost 150k KM's and downshift everywhere..... TOB's good! (knock on wood!!)

riceburner

iTrader: (66)

Mine goes almost 80 with the 7500 rpm limiter haha

2nd gear pull:

Pasierbek

I think If I re-learned the order, I would be able to BLIP before the shift. Now that I think about it, it does make more sense to do that. I've heard of potential clutch wear as a downside of downshifting but Throw-Out bearing? Seems a little far fetched to me. From my research so far, I hear TOB's go bad if you rest your foot down on the clutch at every light and if you mash the clutch pedal to the firewall alot (which I think is why Powell made a pedal stop). I will continue smoothening out my downshifting but learning to do it the right.

UnkleRaRa

As long as you keep the RPMS relatively low (below 3500), and dont ride your clutch or grind gears, you should be able to learn without worrying about too much damage to anything.

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

Havent been paying attention to this thread lately. You cannot properly heel-toe in this car, the gas pedal is fire wall hinged not floor hinged.

Also if everyone is looking at you when you rev match to down shift you're down shifting to early, you shouldn't down shift to 3500rpm if you're driving on the street (at the road track completely different).

I also don't notice a significant difference in braking in neutral vs braking in gear, the brembos can lock tires up and I'm sure the LSJ guys can lock the tires up with their brakes so you only have so much braking traction for a given tire.

Rice we can't use your car as an example of where second gear takes you lucky LSJ guys with the 4.05 I am super jelly you can get to 80 in second (I'm midway in 3rd at 80).

UnkleRaRa

Where the gas pedal is hinged doesnt make any difference, its more about the spacing between the pedals.

As long as you can use 1 foot to blip the throttle for a down shift while at the same time applying the brakes, you are heel toeing.

It wouldn't matter if the gas pedal was hinged from the roof of the car, as long as its spaced properly from the brake.

I do notice a big difference in neutral braking vs. braking in gear.

But whatever style of driving you find comfortable, and keeps you safe, all the power to ya!

SaberD

You have more precise control over the brakes with the car in gear since it's already creating force to slow down the car. Therefore less pressure is needed on the brakes, and then the brake pedal can be more accurately applied. It also reduces fade in endurance races with repeated braking. Dowshifting while braking also allows you to do 2 things in parallel saving lap times.

I have to say though engine braking sucks ***** in the LSJ. It's programmed to keep the TB open even when no fuel is being delivered to help with emissions. Still haven't found anyone who can tune it out. This is also why it takes forever for the RPMs to go down.

I heel-toe through every gear every single time I slow down. The car has 115k miles and shifts flawlessly. I don't even notice myself doing it anymore. It's pretty much automatic once you do it enough.

Pasierbek

Hey guys, the downshifting is coming along nicely and it makes for a much more enjoyful braking to a light. I finally re-taught myself to blip and shift fast enough to catch it without any jerking momentum or any loud revving. It is like OP said, the passenger wouldnt even notice I was downshifting. One key thing to add for anyone else learning manual after me on this thread. Feel out the shift pattern! Precisely know where each "gear gate" (I think thats what its callled) is located and transition into it quickly but smoothly.

wordsandsuits

good stuff. i like the double clutching myth bust.

12andy

Care to elaborate?

Beyonson21

I will say, the clutch in the cobalt is one of the easiest to tame. It is pretty lightweight, but my stock clutch can handle me dumping it a few times a month.

IanTheOz

On my cobalt (ss/sc) it feels a lot smoother double clutching into second, like, a lot smoother. I don’t know why it doesn’t really make a difference with smoothness downshifting into any other gear but when I downshift into second double clutching just makes for a lot smoother of a shift. This isn’t a problem with second gear is it? Or maybe I’m just hitting it right when I double clutch and getting the timing wrong when I don’t. I don’t know, any thoughts?

jdbaugh1

iTrader: (1)

It feels smoother like it doesn't grind or just slips into gear easier/faster? If the gears grind you could have a bad synchro.

IanTheOz

No my gears don’t grind it’s just a lot easier and smoother, it’s a lot harder for me to get that perfect downshift into second when I downshift normally than it is when I double clutch, it kinda puzzles me but I don’t think it’s anything to be too alarmed about it’s just a weird quirk. Probably means I suck at downshifting into second lol.

jdbaugh1

iTrader: (1)

I didn't know what you meant by "smoother". I'd assume that would mean if you don't double clutch that the shift is "rough". Only thing that comes to mind for a rough shift is when the gears grind. If you don't you can rev match by blipping the throttle as you downshift. This won't help engage in the lower gear as the clutch is disengaged but it will prevent shock on the engine and clutch because the transmission won't be trying to suddenly accelerate the engine when you release the clutch pedal.