shifting 5spd

[shmoky]

I find it almost easier to shift the 5 spd without the clutch. Is this going to harm anything? A mechanic friend mentioned it is hard on the synchros if I do this. Any truth to this? I can't see how this would be a problem but 5 spds are not my speciality.

shmoky

[vandor]

Yes, a little hard on the synchros. I assume you are matching rpms and shifting so there is no grinding?
If there is any grinding than that will damage the gears and eventually they will start popping out.

[spidernut]

If that is the case, you probably need a new clutch cable and clutch components or have a bent clutch fork. The clutch pedal should be easy to depress and release. If it is not, you have something wrong that needs repairing.

[shmoky]

Thanks for the replies.
Yes I am matching the RPM's and not grinding the gears. There is nothing wrong with the transmission or clutch it's just that I am lazy. I shift all day at work and need a brake when I get home. Just wondered if I could be causing same damage. I will endeavor to be less lazy.

shmoky

[spidernut]

Yes...you will eventually damage your transmission if you continue driving without using the clutch. My recommendation is to buy an automatic transmission Spider if you dislike shifting or convert yours to an automatic. I have a Spider with an auto trans and it is wonderful to drive in traffic and not have to shift at all.

[DieselSpider]

Compared to a commercial truck with a 4,500 to 5,000+ lb clutch the 5 speed Spider is almost like an automatic. As others have mentioned no matter how good you think you are at power shifting you are still doing incremental damage to the gear box when you do not clutch. If your really tired after the workday ends, shifting and clutching can work out for your safety and help keep you from falling asleep at the wheel too so you could look at it as a safety feature.

With the price of fuel going up 30 cents per gallon over the weekend do you really want to put in an gas guzzling automatic at this time? Those old GM two and three speed automatics were not efficient like the modern ones of today and dropped fuel economy between 15 to 30% compared to a standard transmission.

[spidernut]

I will attest to the drop in fuel mileage - my automatic gets 23.5 max on the freeway, 20 combined, about 18 in town.

[DieselSpider]

I will attest to the drop in fuel mileage - my automatic gets 23.5 max on the freeway, 20 combined, about 18 in town.

That sounds painful. The diesel with the 5 speed I get around 35 to 40 mpg city and 50 highway.