clutchless shifting???

**darthenzo** · #1 07-31-2010, 12:16 AM

I learned how to shift without engaging the clutch from my Dad (Professional Semi Driver for 38 years driving a big brown truck since 1971). Obviously, the clutch is used at starts but not shifting, blipping the throttle for up and down shifting is possible. I did it in all my personal 3 pedal autos, both truck and cars, for over 100,000 and no clutch replacement. I was reminiscing about those days (only have auto trucks now) and wondered about if that could save the notoriously delicate (or so I have ascertained from many threads ...correct my if I'm wrong) clutch, or if it would damage the notoriously delicate (or so I have ascertained from many threads ...correct me if I'm wrong) tranny, just a thought!!

**glasser1** · #2 07-31-2010, 12:37 AM

I used to do this all the time in a '78 VW Rabbit. It went over 300,000 miles (all mine) on the original clutch and tranny. I gave it to the Salvation Army at 313,00 miles when the doors fell off - literally.

**Paul_308** · #3 07-31-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthenzo

notoriously delicate

My clutch was changed at 60k due to spirited driving and not considered that premature. I have never heard a word about it being delicate. Are you hanging out with the sodium valve boys?

**darthenzo** · #4 07-31-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_308

My clutch was changed at 60k due to spirited driving and not considered that premature. I have never heard a word about it being delicate. Are you hanging out with the sodium valve boys?

Napolis talked about having to replace his in the FXX at 800 miles, and not covered by warranty as it is a wear item. I guess I'm used to getting a lot of miles, 320000 on my truck (I know F250 is different than FXX) I've just read a lot of threads about delicate tranny, having to make sure it's warmed up etc. and made me believe that they were delicate compared to other makes

**Paul_308** · #5 07-31-2010, 07:58 PM

The tranny warm up issue relates to shifting into 2nd gear and most of us have fixed that by simply changing to Redline oil. Supercars are made different than trucks but I've never felt I had to treat my 308 gingerly. But although I know how to, I sure wouldn't consider shifting my Ferrari without using the clutch, and not because I thought it was delicate. As a kid, I got fast at replacing cluster gears as I used to speed shift my 1950 Merc all the time, but I would consider it delicate, just misused.

**darthenzo** · #6 07-31-2010, 08:35 PM

I never meant to disparage the machines here. I love Ferrari, and I know that trucks and racecars are different but aren't the general principals at least similar?

Darolls · #7 07-31-2010, 11:53 PM

Every so often I'll do a no-clutch shift just to keep me in practice. I did it all of the time in my early E-Type Jags.

brian.s · #8 08-01-2010, 09:02 AM

there is very little wear and tear on a clutch during routine shifting, why subject the transmission to potential damage, much cheaper to replace a clutch. driven properly it should last many 10s of thousands of miles. ask countach owners or carrera gt owners who let others drive their cars....

Mitch Alsup · #9 08-01-2010, 09:39 AM

The trick to long clutch life is not to put any power through the clutch, but just use it to feather in and out the TQ from engine to the driveline. Thus, if you can hold your foot on the throttle, so that the engine takes on the RPMs of the post shift condition, you can use the clutch as designed and get a very long life from it indeed. Conversely, put power into the clutch and it might not last a weekeknd.

One cannot say anything about the life of the clutch without knowning how the user modulates the throttle durring shifting.

k wright · #10 08-09-2010, 11:53 PM

Clutches....much cheaper than synchronizers and other transmission parts.

If you are wearing your clutch out by shifting you need to work on matching your revs and not on clutchless shifting. There should be zero slip when shifting while already moving.

Darolls · #11 08-10-2010, 11:47 PM

If a clutch isn't already slipping, the only time wear occurs is during shifting using the clutch.

**ClydeM** · #12 08-15-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch Alsup

The trick to long clutch life is not to put any power through the clutch, but just use it to feather in and out the TQ from engine to the driveline. Thus, if you can hold your foot on the throttle, so that the engine takes on the RPMs of the post shift condition, you can use the clutch as designed and get a very long life from it indeed. Conversely, put power into the clutch and it might not last a weekeknd.

One cannot say anything about the life of the clutch without knowning how the user modulates the throttle durring shifting.

I'm the second owner. I dont know how the PO shifted. But I've never worn a clutch on any car. I shift the car with clutch as I would my daily, but with a little more attention. I dont ride a clutch - ever. Precautionary, I replaced my clutch at the last major at 80K. The clutch that came off had lots of meat left on it. It didn't need to be replaced. But since I had one anyway...

beast · #13 08-15-2010, 05:17 PM

I have personally put over 1,000,000 miles on personal and company vehicles without burning up a clutch:

120,000 ford ranger
432,000 on a ford e-150
115,000 on a ford f-150 4x4
117,000 on my current s-10

these are just my personal vehicles all have been driven in mud, deep sand and towing vehicles without a single clutch failure.

all the time I used the clutch to shift

**blackbolt22** · #14 08-15-2010, 10:09 PM

We ignored the clutch often in motocross when up and down shifting. You had to back off the throttle a bit when upshifting. I've never considered it for a car. Interesting.