RE: (Double) Clutching at Straws

["Mike Miller" <JoMi@msn.com>]

>I am fascinated by the notion of learning to shift without benefit of clutch
>while still keeping one's transmission intact.  I know the practice is
f>ollowed by certain groups of truckers, race car drivers and
>motorcyclists.  Does anyone know whether clutchless shifts are
>possible/advisable with synchronized transmissions?

I do this frequently - I now that, for example, 35mph in 2nd is about 4400 rpm 
and 35mph in 3rd is about 2600 rpm. I simply lift the throttle a little, take 
the gearshift out of 2nd, let the rpms drop to about 2600 and put the 
gearshift into 3rd. Same way for downshifting - take take the car out of 3rd 
gear at 35mph, raise the revs to 4400 and put it in 2nd. You just have to be 
aware of what rpms your car turns in each gear at whatever speed. Knowing this 
technique has allowed me to drive 2 cars home (over 30 miles) with a broken 
clutch cable. Note that I don't do this when I want to shift quickly.

mike miller
91 200q