Quote:
Originally Posted by D111
Just got back from a short ride I would say it definitely improved Both conditions . The idle seems to only Go down just a bit after stopping maybe 500 RPMs which is fine with me.
And the tugging seems to be cut in half but I really didn't go for that Long of a ride because of the weather.
Maybe it's just the nature of the beast and I'm being too picky or Maybe I just shouldn't downshift so much , I barely use the brakes only to come to a complete stop at the very end, someone had told me that it's good for the clutch and I love the sound of the motor.
Thank you very much for your replies and help.
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Using downshifting to slow down is a practice that can get you into trouble. I grew up believing it was a good practice. I practiced it on several occasions on my Cobra and found it to be the best and quickest way to get the car going down the highway sideways and backwards.
Here's the problem. At higher RPMS the engine does what is called compression braking. Depending on weather and tires, this sudden braking can cause the tires to lose traction and when they do you're going to go around in a circle. A friend who used to vintage race Cobras and rebuilds the originals said there are 2.5 modes involved in driving a Cobra. Mode 1: Foot on the gas. Mode 2: Foot on the brake. Mode 2.5: Foot moving back and forth between gas and brake. Or as he put it "Engine go, brake slow"... The event is also called trailing throttle oversteer and can even happen when just letting off the throttle. So his rule applies also on the track with the advice, "never coast".
Your driving style may work with engine braking to slow down. I still use it on occasion, but only when coupled with heel-toe downshift throttle blip going into turns. I don't try to do it on a straight line stop. Note the heel-toe maneuver fits exactly to the modes - braking with clutch down, increasing RPMs and reengaging when engine RPM makes up the difference. It all fits.
Sticky tires are a big help.
You know all of this but I've had lots of discussions with others on this.
Drive Carefully!