7MT Should I feather when I down shift?

[nytjoo]

I’ve only driven/owned manual cars and I’m used to having to feather the gas to get the rev match when i’m downshifting. On the manual in the Bronco I have noticed that the rps drop rather quickly when clutch in and trying to get the revs up? I have tried down shifting without rev matching manually and it seems that the car doesn’t jerk if im at in fifth 1.8~ and it goes to fourth 2.4~ (just an example). I just want to keep the trans healthy

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[Sardine]

When downshifting you need to blip the throttle to rev match to the lower gear. Once you get used to rev matching you'll do it without thinking about it and once you know your car you should be able to match the revs perfectly and won't need to feather the clutch.

Then, if you really wanted to get good at rev match downshifting you can try heal-toe rev matching when hitting the brakes. Mostly used during racing but it's a nice skill to have since you can do it when braking.

I wanted the 2.7 so my Bronco isn't stick but all my other cars have always been. Some modern cars have an auto rev match feature but I don't know if the bronco does.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

@Sardine definitely gave you the right manual way but with the Ford tune gives you rev matching if you want the computer to do it

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-B23

 

[Golfsnob]

The FPT rev match will turn you into Emerson Fittipaldi.

 

[thatspecialbeat]

Get the tune! Additional HP is fine but the rev match makes driving much more enjoyable.

I'm wearing flip flops. Ain't trying to heel toe this brick.

 

[thesocalexplorer]

Agreed with the above. No performance tune on mine, but I always blip on downshifts. Sport mode makes it super easy and accurate.

 

[UncleBrad]

I have definitively concluded that the ProCal4 Ford Performance tune no longer includes rev-matching (installed June 2025 on the 2.3L/7MT).

 

[96GreenBronco]

I rev match

For those who got the performance tune, did it make a big difference and do you get Sport mode on badlands?

 

[Brian_B]

I rev match

For those who got the performance tune, did it make a big difference and do you get Sport mode on badlands?

Forscan adds Sport mode for Badlands, ProCal alone will not.

As far as "big difference" -- no, I wouldn't say big difference, but definitely a noticeable difference. The 2.3 tunes particularly well with it, the 10% gain over running Premium fuel alone isn't life changing, but enough to feel. Once you get it, you won't want to go back to stock - but I understand for some being locked into Premium fuel won't be worth it.

 

[96GreenBronco]

Forscan adds Sport mode for Badlands, ProCal alone will not.

As far as "big difference" -- no, I wouldn't say big difference, but definitely a noticeable difference. The 2.3 tunes particularly well with it, the 10% gain over running Premium fuel alone isn't life changing, but enough to feel. Once you get it, you won't want to go back to stock - but I understand for some being locked into Premium fuel won't be worth it.

Do you know if you have to run premium fuel all the time or you just don't get any performance benefit if you don't

 

[Brian_B]

Do you know if you have to run premium fuel all the time or you just don't get any performance benefit if you don't

ProCal requires a minimum of 91 octane

Now, your engine probably won’t spontaneously blow up if you happen to get a tank full of 87 once in a blue moon. But if you want to run standard grade full time, you really should consider going back to stock. The changes ProCal makes to get the additional power assume 91 octane as a baseline and if the engine is constantly derating itself for protection, there’s an increased chance that one time it won’t catch an event in time and something will break.

That’s a fairly simplistic way of looking at it - it’s been hashed out over many threads here if you want to dig. Some people have been running 87 with ProCal for a while with no issues, but my opinion is they are just rolling the dice — and the fact is that ProCal clearly states a minimum of 91 regardless of my, or anyone else’s, opinion on the matter

 

[crenca]

I have definitively concluded that the ProCal4 Ford Performance tune no longer includes rev-matching (installed June 2025 on the 2.3L/7MT).

This has been true since last summer (2024) when Ford updated the tune to be in CARB compliance. They took away rev match and ASS disable.

(and some wonder why CARB has been rejected nationally )

 

[CalvinT]

I learned to drive with a manual. I've only owned vehicles with a manual for the past 40 years. Except for one situation I've never felt the need to touch the throttle when shifting in any direction, up or down.

If you're driving a transmission without synchromesh you need to double clutch to downshift without grinding gears. To an outside observer blipping the throttle during a downshift (rev matching?) and double clutching sound the same. Rev matching and double clutching are not the same thing.

I don't understand this fascination with playing with the throttle when shifting. Rev matching can be useful if you're on a marginal traction situation to avoid shocking the driveline when you let out the clutch. But that takes a very skilled driver or computer assist.

I see no need for it in normal driving other than to entertain the driver.

 

[crenca]

I learned to drive with a manual. I've only owned vehicles with a manual for the past 40 years. Except for one situation I've never felt the need to touch the throttle when shifting in any direction, up or down.

If you're driving a transmission without synchromesh you need to double clutch to downshift without grinding gears. To an outside observer blipping the throttle during a downshift (rev matching?) and double clutching sound the same. Rev matching and double clutching are not the same thing.

I don't understand this fascination with playing with the throttle when shifting. Rev matching can be useful if you're on a marginal traction situation to avoid shocking the driveline when you let out the clutch. But that takes a very skilled driver or computer assist.

I see no need for it in normal driving other than to entertain the driver.

I habitually double clutch, blipping the throttle to spin the synchros faster. It's an old habit, formed during the days I had marginal vehicles with worn out synchros that needed all the help they could get.

I suppose I could break the habit, but I don't see the need and it's helping my Bronco transmission/synchros last a little bit longer...

 

[CalvinT]

I had marginal vehicles with worn out synchros that needed all the help they could get.

I've experienced those. Double clutching definitely helps.

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