vettejockey

I am going to an HPDE event and could use some advice. My question is what RPM's are most people trying to shift at or what range are you running in? I have a C6 Coupe with the Z51 pacakge.


There is a GT-R signed up it will be interesting to see how it does.

fire_n_ice

Well, it depends, how do you normally treat your Vette?
Joking aside, I redline my C6Z, as I don't find the power dropping off at all. Not sure about C6 coupe, tho.

Do me a favor and check what tires the GT-R is running. Supposed to be a huge difference in performance depending on which tires are on it.

davidfarmer

if you overlay the torque at the wheel curves for each gear, you'll find the ideal shift point is almost always at OR above redline in C5/C6's. That doesn't mean you have to shift at redline, but it is usually the best way to apply max torque to the rear wheels in any given gear.

There are times that I certainly recommend short-shifting. I had students at VIR north a few weeks ago, and in both cases, they ran nearly the entire course in 3rd gear at high rpm (shifting only on the 2 straights). Keeping the revs high (as opposed to running through the revs) tended to push oil temps very high, and I would often suggest they use 4th more simply to keep temps down.

Todd Z

The answer will vary depending on your driving style and the track. You may want to short shift at times. For example at Road America I shift into fourth before the carousel to save from oil starvation and not needing to upshift right before the kink. It saves .5 second on a lap. I also short shift into fifth after the kink when the car is settled down bofore the bend in the back before turn 12. As you get faster at any track your shift points will change.

AU N EGL

What track?

My redline is 6750. Normally shift at 6500
peek HP is about 6100, peak tq ( semi flat curve from 3800 up to 5100 )

L98Terror

I always short shift about 6k, unless I need to I try to be easy on the car

GettReal

I shift just before or at redline (6500'ish), almost never after. There are a sometimes areas where it makes sense for me to short shift so Im not battling being at the top of the rpm range for too long.

JimbeauZ06

Listen to David. His title (Know it All) isn't just honorary.

DarkMastyr

Same here. I don't need to squeeze every last drop of juice from my car since the driver needs a lot more work.

rfn026

Keep in mind that it's a HPDE - not a race. Why strain your car? The idea is to improve your driving - not beat the car to death.

Richard

Bill Dearborn

Amen!!!!

Like one of the people that used to run at a school at Watkins Glen told attendees: "When you finish this event your car will not be worth one penny more than it is now but it could be worth a lot less."

Bill

vettejockey

Thanks for the information I agree it is only for skill developement and most of all fun.

Webz

Below is what I calculated for my C6 based upon recent dyno results. Where the graphs overlap is the MPH that I figured would maximize the thrust to the rear wheels. The data is what is graphed. Based upon the gear ratio I backed into the RPM.

rustyguns

it is a racetrack! bounce it off the rev limiter and go like hell! Can't do that on the street!

Akcelr8 N VA

jpobrien

That's how I do it most of the time... well almost.