sraz786

Spirited driving on the street, I come across several very low speed corners which I usually take in 2nd but powering out of the corner I find myself on the lower end of the rev range and therefore not in the optimal sweet spot of the power band. With the 997.1 GT3 being geared a bit taller, I'm considering downshifting into 1st. I was always taught not to, but was curious what others do as I'd imagine I'm not the only one who has this dilemma. Thoughts?

NAM VET

That is what the gearbox is for.

All the best.

golfnutintib

if you do it right there is no problem
MANUAL gearbox
YOU are in charge

tcsracing1

get your entry speed up and carry the revs

But yeah, you can grab 1st or do the R&P.

At Sebring, data has shown that sometimes a downshift is not always faster...

997s07

I double clutch downshift to 1st. It seems easier on the engine and drive train. Do it all the time. This G50 gearbox is awesome.

Spyerx

Aren't synchros on first brass? I'm old fashioned, I never grab first once moving.

NAM VET

I had to double clutch my '63 MGB because it had a non-synchro first gear. After 50 years of driving I am pretty good at it. I am pretty good at heel and toe too. I prefer to keep my Porsche's engine rpm up. I never "load" a motor at low RPM.

But some gearboxes are a little more bulky than others too. I think if let your synchro's do the work perhaps it is best to stay in the higher gear.

All the best....

Macster

Grabbing 1st at anything above idle speed is just asking for accelerated transmission wear and tear. 'course it is your transmission and you can treat it like you want.

I seldom downshift into 1st while rolling but when I do downshift it is at a very slow speed and with the engine at idle.

Around town I don't engage in spirited driving. The only time I have to take a corner in 1st gear is when starting the turn from a dead stop.

Out of town, in the twisties I have yet to encounter a turn I can't arrange to take in 2nd gear with enough revs while the engine may not be in its sweetest spot, power band speaking, revs are high enough the engine pulls quite happily. In fact some feathering of the throttle is often necessary to avoid rear tire spin.

997s07

Yup. I think 1st is also triple synchronized. I may be wrong.

C.J. Ichiban

+1

GTgears

See those teeny weeny itty bitty teeth? for reference it takes about 3 of them to equal the width of your index finger.

The ring is welded on. It is not replaceable. 1st and 2nd gear are both fixed to the mainshaft. One bad downshift can zing those teeth badly enough that you have a pop out issue. A mainshaft is about $2000 plus another $2000 in labor.

So, my question to you is how badly do you want accelerate out of that corner in your street car?

ps. Don't believe the guys who tell you that they can replace that dog for you. This is what happens to the gears that get new dogs welded onto an old gear. The temper of the heat treat is compromised and the gear tears in half under load.

996FLT6

Never encountered a scenario where I have to use 1st gear other than stop/go or drag race. Got vids of such a scenario? Mike

aussie jimmy

^ love the new avatar, mike.
who is the owner of those panties? lol makes one wonder although bimmers shouldn't provoke such reactions.

to the op - i only use first when taking off and when parking.
i really don't think shifting to 1st is a good idea at anytime that you are rolling at speed.

so, NO.

Snowboarder54

Or go 3.9, problem solved!

sraz786

Hard to argue with that!! I think I'll stay out of 1st, upgrade the final drive and call it a day, should provide a bit more low end and mitigate my issue. Also of course, need to upgrade the weakest part of the car, the DRIVER!