Optimum shifting

[whtaznboi829]

Is there a formula to shifting to get optimum power?? Like is there a specific rpm that promotes optimum powere in relation to torque or anything of that sort??

[VR43000GT]

Well there are optimum shifting points in every car. Most people drive their car and find the best point to shift. Sometimes its right on your peak hp point in the power band. Often people redline in first since first gear is such a low grear that they just drag it out to the redline that way when they shift they are at a higher rpm when they reach the next gear. After that you kind of just have to due a few test runs and find your best shift points on your own. I know you can buy tachtometers with a light that lights up (I believe you set it up to when you want it to light) when you should shift or even a little before you shift because you have to allow for reaction time.

[SpinnerCee]

In general you should hold a gear until the HP peak, your shift should cause the RPM to drop to just below the torque peak so the car can continue accelerating.

Obviously, knowing the powerband [HP/TQ] of your engine helps a lot here -- the setup of the car [gearing/trans] should compliment the engine.

The problem with a street trans on the strip is that the gears are not symetrical -- the drop will liekly be quite diffferent with each gear change.

That's why we practice.

[JekylandHyde]

And the answer is ....

Formula for optimal shift point:
(Lower gear ratio / higher gear ratio) X RPM at peak Torque = Shift RPM

[ECMgarrett]

get on a dyno, see where your power is, then go from there