Live from ASS '13

Originally Posted by 04PONTIACGA

What have you found that works good in your Alero?

To tell you the truth I haven't launched it hard yet since I had the manual transmission put in.

[04PONTIACGA]

Originally Posted by mfuller

To tell you the truth I haven't launched it hard yet since I had the manual transmission put in.

Really? Maybe It's my age, but I would have a blast after the clutch was broken in.

Originally Posted by 04PONTIACGA

Really? Maybe It's my age, but I would have a blast after the clutch was broken in.

Maybe I'm just being a wuss.
At my age I find it amusing that I get better gas mileage in my Alero than my wife gets her Mazda 3 hatchback.
Although I'm sure I'll give it hell when I get the new motor and limited slip differential installed.

[04PONTIACGA]

Originally Posted by mfuller

Maybe I'm just being a wuss.
At my age I find it amusing that I get better gas mileage in my Alero than my wife gets her Mazda 3 hatchback.
Although I'm sure I'll give it hell when I get the new motor and limited slip differential installed.

That's awsome about the mileage. I get excited about that too, I average 30 with my GA, but I don't drive it hard, want to keep the trans as long as I can. Already have 171,000 on it, don't want to push it.

I'm interested to see the outcome of your build, as far as I know nobody has done that much to an N/A build.

Just in case anyone was wondering about the harsh driving in a ranger, here's why It's soooooo fun.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tCgUOmddT0E
That's my cousins '86 ranger, Thunderbird turbo coupe 2.3 ported head, cam, ported custom intake, bigger turbo(dont recall the size) 100 shot of nitrous and a 3.73 8.8 locker rear end. Very fun little thing, runs at 22psi.

[Redog]

Still trying to figure out how to launch a stick here. Wanna go to the track in a stick car

[[ion] C2]

It seems like launching wouldn't be too difficult. I figure I'll keep the RPMs not too high to start with, and just dump the clutch and get into the throttle not too slow not too fast and go balls out after that. I'll play around and learn what works the best though. Hopefully this guy gets back to me on the Texas car and I can go pick it up and get this swap going.

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

2nd to 3rd can be the most complicated quick shift, ill be honest ive missed a couple of times. But havent in the past couple months.

Yeah I can see how I could slip up there pretty easily.

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

Also, i dont downshift unless i really need to. Like coming up to a stop, leave it in gear till rpms drop to like 1200 or so, clutch in and stop. Remember brakes are cheaper/easier job then a clutch.

I typically disengage the clutch anytime I expect to slow down significantly, and shift to another gear depending on what I want to do afterwards. I don't usually leave it in gear during braking, I dunno if that's just a personal preference thing or if you're supposed to do it one way or the other.

[Secord]

I try to stop with the clutch whenever possible, never letting the engine rev past 2k on the downshift. I usually let it float around 1250rpm. If it is a hard stop I depress the clutch and just leave it in gear most of the time while I use the brakes.

[03glgold]

while I am not a professional, You should technically always downshift as you slow down even if you don't let out on the clutch so that you are prepared if something happened with your brakes

[sleepyalero]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

It seems like launching wouldn't be too difficult. I figure I'll keep the RPMs not too high to start with, and just dump the clutch and get into the throttle not too slow not too fast and go balls out after that. I'll play around and learn what works the best though. Hopefully this guy gets back to me on the Texas car and I can go pick it up and get this swap going.


Yeah I can see how I could slip up there pretty easily.


I typically disengage the clutch anytime I expect to slow down significantly, and shift to another gear depending on what I want to do afterwards. I don't usually leave it in gear during braking, I dunno if that's just a personal preference thing or if you're supposed to do it one way or the other.

All about personal pref. whatever is comfortable. Yeah 2 to 3 just gotta watch out for the "retard bar" lol that little notch that seperates 1st from 3rd, go to shift quick out of second and bam! Your hitting betweem 1 and 3 lol

[xXManwhoreXx]

Yeah... ain't nobody got time fo that...

[Babyblue]

Lol ����funny ass video. I didn't have time to put my shoes on Jesus

[Oldsman]

Far as launching hard, well it depends on your traction. Normally at the track if you launch at like 5-6k and you have slicks you'll probably break something with fwd. if you launch to low like 2k then you'll more likely bog off the line. That is what test and tune is for. Depending on track temp and tires and how sticky the launch pad is going to determine where you launch. On average when I have raced with a manual on street tires and its a fwd around 4k was not bad. Even 3500 was decent.

As for downshifting, I have always engine braked. Coming up to a light start downshifting keeping rpm under 3k. I drove my Hyundai for 168k on the original clutch with engine breaking. It does not hurt your car if done properly. Now where people have problems is riding the clutch too much when letting it out or not revving rpm up to about what they will be when you let clutch out for the next gear. Which when people just push clutch in and downshift they will normally ride the clutch more.

My previous clutch vehicles got a min of 75k on the original clutch.

The hardest thing on a clutch and will make it go out the fastest is riding it or burning the clutch. This is all amateur mistakes that people make. Which is why a lot of people don't downshift and engine break cause they don't know how and was never properly taught.

[sleepyalero]

Match rpms when downshifting, sitting at 1500 and going one gear down rev it up a little higher then 1500 before letting clutch out.

[[ion] C2]

But what's the point of the extra work in downshifting? Why not simply disengage and shift to the gear you want when it's time to accelerate? Why screw around with the gears while slowing down, seems pointless. I get 40mpg and have no problem doing it the way I said. No need to keep engaging the clutch over and over as you go down the gears.

[tw0123]

the point to downshifting has already been mentioned... what if your brakes fail? what if you have a car coming up behind that doesn't slow? how will you get out of the way if there is enough room while you are in first gear? simply put, you cant... you need to be in control of the vehicle at all times... thus downshifting a manual... autos do it for you so you do not have to worry about it... if you don't want to drive the stick properly, stay with an auto...

[[ion] C2]

Originally Posted by tw0123

the point to downshifting has already been mentioned... what if your brakes fail?

1. You have an e-brake.
2. Shift it into a low gear.
3. Or do what everyone with an automatic would have to do, turn towards something to slow you down the safest.

Originally Posted by tw0123

what if you have a car coming up behind that doesn't slow? how will you get out of the way if there is enough room while you are in first gear?

1. You're in neutral, not first. You're waiting to choose a gear as you slow down with the clutch disengaged.
2. Shift it into the gear you want if you decided you must accelerate before making your complete stop. I don't see the problem with leaving the shifter in the middle until you decide what gear you want to be in when it's time to move faster.

Originally Posted by tw0123

you need to be in control of the vehicle at all times... thus downshifting a manual... autos do it for you so you do not have to worry about it... if you don't want to drive the stick properly, stay with an auto...

Autos do it because the program says at certain speeds and loads to be in certain gears. Not because it helps you brake more quickly. eff you and your pretentious professional 5-speed driver mentality. I'll drive a manual if I like, and I'll shift to the gear I want to when coasting, when it's applicable.

[fisdad]

Originally Posted by mfuller

Maybe I'm just being a wuss.
At my age I find it amusing that I get better gas mileage in my Alero than my wife gets her Mazda 3 hatchback.
Although I'm sure I'll give it hell when I get the new motor and limited slip differential installed.

Where is the "like" button?! I get better gas mileage than most people I know with newer cars and car payments. It's awesome!

[Redog]

When shifting in "race" mode (talking 1/4 mile) Should I just keep on the throttle or let off between shifts like I do for street driving?

[sleepyalero]

Ken, when drag racing you WANT to let off throttle, clutch in, change gear let pff clutch and go WOT again.

I forget what its called if you keep throttle mashed and clutch but its NOT good on a transmission period.

Powershifting is whats its called

Originally Posted by Redog

When shifting in "race" mode (talking 1/4 mile) Should I just keep on the throttle or let off between shifts like I do for street driving?

Unless you have dogrings or straight-cut gears in your transmission for clutchless upshifts, or are really good at rev-matching, let off the throttle between shifts.