when do yall shift?

[CIREX]

i wa sjust wondering, wats the normal rpms yall let ur sol get up to before you shit in normal drivng situations?

[94SolGrl]

Well I usually don't shit in my car...

but seriously, I'm typically an ass and take it right up to 8300-8400... VTEC owns me. When I'm low on gas I keep it below 5500 to keep VTEC from engaging.

[CIREX]

haha sorry its late, i dint feel like checking my spelling. (funny typo tho) wow but that really tells me how much i kno bout manual ive been shifting around 3500, but hell everyone makes mistakes huh?

[94SolGrl]

well depends on what model you have.. in an S or Si model your redline is at like 6300-6700, so of course you would shift about halfway through the powerband, so 3500 is about right. The VTEC model redline is at 8200 for an a3, 8000 for an a2. So halfway through the powerband is 4000-4300. Under just normal driving situations, going easy on the engine is the best idea.. but like I said.. VTEC owns me, and I loove just romping on it and seeing just how quick my car is (which, fyi, is pretty damn quick). Nothing wrong with shifting at 3500. But take it up to the redline a few times.. it takes your breath away.

[CIREX]

ha will do, i have an si so i guess i was doing right then

[Plastic_Fork]

I usually shift around 5000 rpms, but I have a B16A3 so that's about midway for me. I've found that gives me the smoothest shift. But then again, I've been driving manual transmissions for about seven years. Just gotta learn your car and then adjust your driving habits to them.

When I'm in a playful mood, I redline the thing like I hate it.

[Privatebigandrew]

You shift at 5000 everyday!?!? Expect problems real soon. I shift at 2500 until she warms up, then at 3000 at normal operating temperature. I even shift at 2000 when i am just cruising along at night. The average shift point for most 4 cylinders is 3000. Anything above that is unecassary unless you are trying to get on it. Of course the VTEC model does have a tall final drive ratio, so sometimes it does take higher RPM's to keep up with traffic.

[Plastic_Fork]

I used to shift at 4000 rpm's on my '88 Accord and it redlined at about 6000 rpms. Drove the thing for six years without issues. Just had to replace the clutch at 160k.

My Del Sol shifts fine at 4500 - 5000 rpms. No issues in the year I've had it. The car was designed to handle high rpms. I doubt shifting halfway on the tach is going to hurt it. I've been driving manual transmissions for years. No need to granny the car as long as you take care of it. I do regular maintenance, fluid changes, and tuneups at Honda to ensure engine stability. Engine runs like a champ.

Besides, remember I live in Atlanta. Most of my driving is highway driving with crazy drivers on the road and fast moving traffic. Gotta keep the pace.

[94SolGrl]

How the hell do you shift at 2000? That drops you down to like 500rpm, which is just as bad for your engine, if not worse. When it chugs, you know you need to get the rpms up. I have a halfway to blown tranny already, so I'm not so caring about it. It's gonna grind and stick whether I shift at 2500 or 8500, so I figure I might as well have fun. (And yes, I have raced with that blown tranny... I can't wait to see times without it... )

[Darc Tangent]

Quote
"My Del Sol shifts fine at 4500 - 5000 rpms. No issues in the year I've had it. The car was designed to handle high rpms. I doubt shifting halfway on the tach is going to hurt it. I've been driving manual transmissions for years. No need to granny the car as long as you take care of it. I do regular maintenance, fluid changes, and tuneups at Honda to ensure engine stability."
Exactly. As long as you're matching driveline and engine speed for smooth shifts you should be fine. Hey anyone know what RPM the ATs shift at when you stomp on it? Cheers!

[Plastic_Fork]

I haven't the slightest clue. I know diddly about the auto transmission other than it's a pain in the butt to convert to a manual transmission.

[94SolGrl]

slushboxes... ugh... I think they shift somewhere around 4500, possibly 5000... It's *just* after VTEC kicks in.

If you're cool like me, you know how to redline a slushbox... buahahaha... no, my dad didn't think it was too funny.

[Privatebigandrew]

If you shift at 2000, it only drops to about 1300, perfectly smooth if you do it right, feels better than an automatic. Yeah, if your engine lugs at lower RPM's you are killing your bearings. Mine has a bad clutch, so lower RPM's are easier to pull off. But try shifting at 200, its really smooth. (for cruising that is)

[Privatebigandrew]

I meant 2000

[Plastic_Fork]

Yeah, when my Accord's clutch was going I had to lower my shift points because it wouldn't grab otherwise. But the clutch on mine is pretty strong so far and it's been very smooth and nice shifts at 4000 - 5000. I just tend to find the shifting sweet spot on the transmission for each car I drive. For my particular Del Sol, that has been the best range for me to shift. Might be better on your car for lower rpm's normally. We both know no two cars / motors are the same.