Miata Mailing List: August 1997, Message #61
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From: 	"Brian K. Dore'" <bkd@usl.edu>

Subject: Re: Matching Revs

Date: 	Fri, 1 Aug 1997 14:18:18 +0000



Ian asks:



>Ok I give, what exactly are the correct revs you should be in before

downshifting ?



Depends on how fast you are going.  The whole idea is to match the speed of

the engine with the speed of the driveline so that when you let out the

clutch, everything is rotating at the same speed and the clutch grabs easily

with little or no slipping.  Downshifting from 5th to 4th is easy to

practice because the speedometer and tach needle both point in the same

direction in 4th gear, so all you have to do is push in the clutch, pull the

lever into 4th, press the accelerator until the tach needle is pointing the

same direction as the speedometer needle (which will be dropping as you slow

down) and let out the clutch when they line up.   If the car jerks, and the

tach jumps up or down when you let out the clutch then you didn't do it

right.



Generally this is done when braking for a corner (so that when you exit the

corner you will be in the powerband) using  part of your right foot on the

brake, and another part bumping the accelerator.  (Heel and Toe)  I

generally use my toes on the brake and bump the accelerator with my heel,

but I've heard of people doing it lots of other ways



Brian Dore'

Lafayette, LA