In this video I demonstrate (at relatively low speed) the technique I employ to up-shift through the gears of my dog-box transmission. The term "dog-box" refers to a non-synchronized gearbox that uses dog-clutches to lock the selected gear to the output shaft of the transmission. In this case the transmission is a custom manufactured unit with spur (as opposed to helical) gears, and dog-rings with a 1:2 tooth-to-space ratio. During up-shifts I lift my right foot off the throttle/gas pedal, reducing the load on the dog-rings sufficient to be able to pull the gear-shift to neutral, as the engine speed drops I then slide the gear-shifter across to the next higher gear. The shift is smooth and flawless provided I allow the engine speed to drop to where it would be at in the next higher gear before engaging the next gear (typically referred to as "rev-matching"). In this video I deliberately shift at 4000 rpm (a relatively low engine speed) at partial throttle in order to demonstrate the technique at a nice slow pace. Out on the track I seldom up-shift at anything below 6000rpm with the engine at full throttle. During down-shifts I use the clutch given that I regularly skip gears (such as from 3rd to 1st). Under braking I either use my right heel to blip the throttle (in order to synchronize the lay and output shafts within the box) or I use a hand operated throttle mounted on the gear-stick.
DISCLAIMER: While the technique shown here can be used to limp home a car with a failed clutch, it should NOT, as a general rule, be used on a modern manual transmission (which includes synchronizer rings) due to the extreme likelihood of damage.
