MGA

When my MG lost "her" 2nd gear syncro many moons ago, I began to double clutch (dc) out of necessity. 30 years later (granted, not huge miles), never had the tranny apart (original clutch)...Put 180k miles on an Audi Turbo Quattro, ALWAYS dc'ed for the life of the car. Original tranny, same clutch. Now, doing the same with the 993 when driving for transportation; not fun (it's always fun, just different fun). Anyone have any opinions (on this site!!!) on whether or not this technique is worthwhile in extending synchro wear? Easy on the barbs regarding the engineering differences between a '59 MG and a 1996 993. I drive both...i know. thanks.

Rick Lee

I just learned how to DC about 2 mos. ago. I got my '96 C2 this weekend and ONLY ever DC with it. With my Fabspeed exhaust I really love the growl of the throttle blip on double-clutching and when I really hit it just right, it's as smooth as an automatic.

STLPCA

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003472#000000" target="_blank">Double clutching </a>

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=005333#000000" target="_blank">Double Clutch & Trail braking </a>

and more in the archives. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

ca993twin

I'm an old double-clutcher from the olden days, for much the same reason as MGA. Its a habit that I can't (and won't) break, and will start teaching my 16-year-old son the technique soon. But I also wonder, with modern gearbox synchros, if there is any point to this anymore. The above link describes "how to do it", not the engineering requirement on a modern gearbox. Anybody know whether or not it helps synchro life?

Mark in Baltimore

I double clutch all the time and fear it will be a lost art to driving control. Engineering experts should chime in here, but I would think that if you can double clutch perfectly, you would be matching up the engine and transmission components so well that you would be minimizing use and, hence, wear on the synchros.

Another rationale to double clutching is that it is a key skill for fast and smooth track driving. I have heard of one PCA region not letting drivers advance into higher run groups until their feet can tango with the pedals.

Terry Adams

I owned a '59 MGA, and double clutching helped a lot. Rarely do it anymore. I depend on brake components, not engine braking for stopping, but this does not mean that matching revs is no longer beneficial. I still enjoy a little DC, as well as heel and toe.

STLPCA

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by ca993twin:
<strong>... The above link describes "how to do it", not the engineering requirement on a modern gearbox.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Steve
Take another look - the consensus in those threads was DC is not beneficial w/a modern tranny, except, perhaps, when cold. Some questioned whether the increased clutch use might offset any theoretical reduced synchro wear.
I DC out of habit - years of driving Triumphs.

ca993twin

Thanks Dan,

I admit to only doing a cursury scan... I'm at work, and sneak peeks where I can. Austin Healey for me!
Funny how its all the English cars that taught us how to work around weak trannys!

Steve

Pete in DC

DC'd on my 66 230SL and do on the 993 when she's cold...

STLPCA

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by ca993twin:
<strong>I'm at work, and sneak peeks where I can.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Where are your priorities? I try not to let work interfere with Rennlist.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by ca993twin:
<strong>Funny how its all the English cars that taught us how to work around weak trannys!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">... not to mention hydraulics, electricals & carburetion (I still have my UniSyn).

SundayDriver

I don't think it helps transmission life to any significant extent, as long as you have working synchros. I learned it when I had an Alfa - expected synchro life on those cars was about 200 miles so it was a necessary skill.

Also, when I read a lot of these comments, I really wonder if poeple are talking about double clutching or rev-matching/heal-toe. I can't imagine a DE group requiring double clutching to move up. Personally, I prefer Zero-Clutching.

Mark in Baltimore

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Radical Racer:
<strong>Also, when I read a lot of these comments, I really wonder if poeple are talking about double clutching or rev-matching/heal-toe. I can't imagine a DE group requiring double clutching to move up. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Mark - yeah, you're right. My apologies. I double-clutch and heel-and-toe but was actually referring to heel-and-toeing when talking about the DE advancement. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

SundayDriver

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Mark in Baltimore:
<strong>Mark - yeah, you're right. My apologies. I double-clutch and heel-and-toe but was actually referring to heel-and-toeing when talking about the DE advancement. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That makes sense as you can't drive at the limit if you keep upsetting the car. Still, many of the double clutch comments I read really sound like people mean heal-toe. I suspect that many people do not know what double clutching is.

Mike in Chi

I raced a car with a sequential gearbox for a year.

Try as I might I could not double-clutch it.

As Mark mentioned, it was very easy to shift without the clutch, at least going up.

ca993twin

If you know how to double clutch, you can actually get around OK with NO clutch (ask about a broken clutch cable). You shift slowly and gently when the revs "sound" like they're properly matched. Engine off at stop lights, and use the starter motor to get you going in first gear. You'll look like an idiot, but sometimes... you just can't get that cable fixed fast enough.

Dan, I remember Unisyns well. They were kind of "high tech" for me... I used a section of heater hose, and tuned the SU carbs by sound; holding one end near my ear, the other to the carb inlet.