Engine Braking (split from the VR-4 brake thread in FS/WTB)

[Mike]

alright, i got his quote:

Hi Mike,
Technically, the best stopping capability comes with dipping the
clutch pedal... this way, no forward pressure (even from a motor
declining in RPM pushes the car forward) is 'fighting' the brakes.
Even lightened flywheels push against braking. Try taking your foot
off the throttle going up hill, then dip the clutch - the car should
slow more with the clutch in. As long as the engine wants to turn,
it will require some braking to overcome the inertia of the rotating
parts.
I know that many will use the backpressure of the engine to slow
down, especially using a downshift. But, there comes a point when the
brakes must work against the b/p. As well, you can better modulate
the brakes up to threshold if you're not dealing with the varying
levels of RPM....
You might also think of the friction circle graphic that is often
shown in class. Ideally, the max braking is at total opposite of the
acceleration mode and as long as the engine is turning over, its
purpose is to move the car. And, the brakes are much cheaper to
replace than the clutch if the driver is using the clutch w/
downshifts to slow the car... no matter how smooth the driver is...

Hope this answers the question adequately.
C. Dan Unkefer
High Performance Concepts, LLC
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