carlsbad

what can happen if you were to accidently down-shift to a too low gear while on the race track. For example down shifting into 2nd instead of 4th?

camirocz

Tell us your joking ...Please tell us you re not really asking this question.

TapOut

Spin a bearing??? Blow something up?? Or maybe chirp the tires and look really cool!


I also hear that on special occasions, sometimes this action can magically create poop in peoples pants!

Dale1990

If you are lucky, the rear tires will spin a bit and you will slow down since the rev limiter will have cut the fuel supply.

The unlucky part is about the same except you'll be leaving behind a trail of very expensive engine parts.

carlsbad

Thank you for jus answering the question instead of wasting space with a sarcastic responce like some people do.

carlsbad

Why waste you time typing this response

carlsbad

Can it damage your tranny as well or jus your engine?

TapOut

Best way to avoid this is by following Rangers method and not monkey griping the shifter. You'll naturally want to yank it towards you a bit while slamming it down into fourth. Best way is to not wrap your thumb around the shifter and just pull down with your fingertips.

And like mentioned above, if it's fast enough and fuel cut hits you can save it and nothing happens. Most common thing I've seen happen is spun rod bearings.

Dale1990

Depends. If the failure causes the engine to lock at high RPM I could see it be possible that enough shock could be generated to break something in the transmission or differential. I would think it would be unlikely, though, since if that were to happen the tires would lock up and the car would just skid to a stop.

The actual act of shifting it too far down could also cause damage - syncros can only do so much to match speed.

dun4791

The engine can exceed the rev limit mechanically.

Mr. Gizmo

KABOOOOOM!

Especially if you think your power - upshifting from 3rd to 4th and you mis-shift to 2nd. - lots of blame placed on the LS7 when many owners of these blown gems were power mis-shifting

triblk6spd

Nice. Simply put, but correct.

edmundu

Even with the fuel cut, physics still say the motor will turn the rpm, just not under power. Unless you immediately clutch it.

I would surmise that the valvetrain would be the most susceptible to damage, followed closely by the rods.

Was this an actual or hypothetical situation? Just curious if there was any damage.

Carnac

Also; simply put, but correct...

GOLD72

Bad things. Bad things. Overrev fuel/spark cutoff won't save you from a mechanical overrev due to a blow downshift because it is the rear wheels and tranny ratio overreving the engine.

rattt g

if it's a stock clutch you could glaze it pretty bad

BigMike NY

Exactly, and bend pushrods!

ranger1

Ka..Booom....

Garry

BigMike NY

AND what also helps is if you face your palm towards the passenger door when pulling the shifter back towards you, worst case scenario instead of grabbing 4th gear you"ll grab 6th gear- no damage done...

FrankTank

bent valves, spun bearing(s) broken push rod...the list goes on

In my C5, I had it tuned with cam/heads..the rev limiter was set up above the OEM setting... and I did what you asked, shifted into 2nd instead of 4th... my motor was fine, but I grenaded the Tranny (T56) and fried the Synchros...

Level IV Tranny Cartek Clutch and about $4,000 later...