when should i shift?

im just wondering when the best time for me to shift while racing is. ive been shifting at about 6800 in my stock 95 si. and what is the best RPM's to get a jump off the line when dragging. thanks

When you are launching the car off of the line, you should do it at about 3500, or at the rpm where there is just a chirp of the tire and thats it. You want as little wheel spin as possible. And then while going down the track or street you should shift at redline, or just before it. Try to get the most out of the engine before you shift, and while your at the track play around with your launching techniques and what rpm you shift through each gear, your times will let you know whats best for your car.

Don't believe anything you just read. Every car is different, if you launched my integra at 3,500 RPM you would spin the tires for days, and close to the same in my near stock civic. And you definately shouldn't redline it (sometimes it's ok in 1st), and that's because your car stops producing power before then. The best way to know when you should shift is to find a dyno sheet on your car (stock) and see at what RPM your car stops producing power and that's when you should shift.

That is why i said 3500 or the rpm where there is just a chirp from the tire. also i said try to get the most out of your engine before you shift, so you are just backing me up by saying, that the engine stops producing power, that is what im getting at. and you are right all cars are different.

Mmmm....very subjective. My car goes the fastest taking the clutch out not abruptly at around 6500. I shift at 8200 rpms while my car makes max power at 7600 rpms. You shouldnt always shift when you car makes the more horsepower. Think about it this way. My car is still making around 153 h.p (est) at 8100, if i shifted at 7600 it would drop to 5100 making only 135 h.p.

Now, what is better? Having 155 hp or 135? You have to find your exact point on your powerband were you would be making more power if you shifted.

that is correct, I forgot to add that into my post. :)

id say shift till red line bc the more rpm u get in one gear the less ull lose getting into the next. just what i think

keep that tach in Vtec shift high
dont drop the cluth unless ur at the track
very very bad

pop the clutch and redline that bitch

Simply feel out your car and shift when it feels like the gear isnt pulling anymore...if it pulls untill redline...then shift at redline...I shift @ 8000 - 8300