What's wrong with down shifting to 1st gear at speed?

[BITeR]

I read that in the FAQ (Buying section), and I was wondering why?
The nsx does almost 44 mph/70 kmh in 1st gear and sometimes I want to downshift.

Ok if rev. match?
Ok if double clutch and rev. match?
Not ok at all?

 

[naaman]

The way I understand it, if you're travelling at a speed that falls within a given gear, and you downshift to that gear, you should have no problem (like passing on the freeway, downshift to 3rd, and go around the truck). I don't know if there is something special about 1st gear that would make it "bad" to do this.

 

[j14nsx]

I did it once on a track with a very tight hairpin bend. Problem was that when I put my foot on the gas, it was wheelspin city! Didn't make me go any quicker, as it meant having to perform an extra change up, very quickly.

 

[BITeR]

Here is the text in the FAQ:
"The shifter should be smooth and quick. There should be no grinding, though it may be difficult to engage 1st gear if you're going more than 10 MPH and do not rev-match the shift. Make sure you try reverse too!"

 

[naaman]

It sounds like they're just saying that it's hard to make the shift smooth, not that it's bad for the car.

 

[NSX/MR2]

When you do that, prepare to hear the rear tires chirp like crazy. Fun, but wear out rear tires quickly; unless you were drag racing against another sport car, which is rare, don't do it.

 

[nsxtasy]

The rear tires will only chirp if you don't match revs properly. If you match revs properly, they won't chirp at all.

However, when I hear the term "at speed", I usually think of a speed faster than 45 mph - which makes downshifting to first gear a big "no-no".

 

[Brian2by2]

I have 3 partners with NSX's and none of them can downshift into 1st without grinding unless they're >15mph. My car is the same way. I've never tried it with TCS off and I don't know if maybe its just my synchro mesh, but it won't let me downshift to first. All other gears are fine.

 

[Nimbus]

As long as you rev match downshifting to first the car should behave like normal. If you don't rev match at all, you most likely won't even get it into first gear. It has nothing to do with TCS.

 

[ncdogdoc]

I do not do it very often as the gear ratios are so different from 2-1 versus other downshifts that it is hard not to upset your balance. But when I do, I find it much easier if I blip the throttle far higher in rpm's than the "correct" revs then slip into first while the revs are falling, then rev match to let out the clutch. Another reason I do not do it that much is it is too much work!!

 

[Rennphile]

A couple of these posts are a little scary. Nsxtasy and Nimbus are correct - proper technique is required to execute a smooth downshift into first gear in any car. If anything, it's a little easier in the NSX (5 speed) with its taller first gear.

For more information:


http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Track/highperfdriving.htm

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

BITeR, I'd double-clutch and revmatch...

 

[ChopsJazz]

I do not do it very often as the gear ratios are so different from 2-1 versus other downshifts that it is hard not to upset your balance.

With the short gears the 1-2 downshift is much easier. But you must, of course, blip to match revs. Guys, don't downshift without "blipping" the throttle. BITeR is right, this sounds pretty scary from some of you. That tire chirp that you hear is a result the wrong engine/tire revs and it greatly upsets the balance of the car. Do that mid-corner and you'll soon be looking at where you just came from!