When should I shift?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
When should I shift?
I have a '72 base model 350, 4-speed, stock....it is my first Corvette. I usually shift gears between 2800-3000 RPMs. Should I be letting it get to 4500 before I shift?
Wondering if it is just personal preference or if I should be taking the engine up to higher RPMs.
Thanks as always for the great advice.
Wondering if it is just personal preference or if I should be taking the engine up to higher RPMs.
Thanks as always for the great advice.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
When it quits making horsepower and torque.
Once those curves start falling off you are only punishing the engine.
Take a look at the specs of your engine.
Peak torque rpm
Peak Horsepower rpm
Adjust accordingly
Oh yeah....
Hang on!!
Once those curves start falling off you are only punishing the engine.
Take a look at the specs of your engine.
Peak torque rpm
Peak Horsepower rpm
Adjust accordingly
Oh yeah....
Hang on!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The base motor will make good power to about 5000 rpm. If you are shifting at 3000 rpm you are not getting full potential from the motor. In normal driving you can shift at 3000 rpm but if you want to accelerate as fast as you can shift at around 5000 rpm. My cam makes power to 6500+ rpm so I try to shift at around 6500 rpm. It is all where the motors powerband is.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Rye TX
As a pro-gas motorcycle racer, here is my advise.
Get to a Dyno, find out where your horsepower and torque peeks. You may be suprised that you are punishing your motor by shifting higher than what you need to. Next, get to the track, practice your shifts. By the end of the 1/4 mile, if your gearing is correct, you should cross the traps at about 200 to 300 rpm above your peek HP. Be careful though......a bad dyno operator can do serious damage to your motor/trans. Go to only known quality dyno people!!!!
Get to a Dyno, find out where your horsepower and torque peeks. You may be suprised that you are punishing your motor by shifting higher than what you need to. Next, get to the track, practice your shifts. By the end of the 1/4 mile, if your gearing is correct, you should cross the traps at about 200 to 300 rpm above your peek HP. Be careful though......a bad dyno operator can do serious damage to your motor/trans. Go to only known quality dyno people!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
When to shift depends on what circumstances you are driving in. When to shift in stop and go traffic is different from shifting on the strip.
The stock base engined '72 is pretty much finished by around 4,500rpm so going higher does little more than make noise. Sure, you can go higher but you're on the steep downslope part of the power curve. All you need is a working tach and some seat of the pants to realize that it ain't pulling as hard once the tach goes over 4k rpm.
The stock base engined '72 is pretty much finished by around 4,500rpm so going higher does little more than make noise. Sure, you can go higher but you're on the steep downslope part of the power curve. All you need is a working tach and some seat of the pants to realize that it ain't pulling as hard once the tach goes over 4k rpm.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,448
Likes: 793
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by gerry72
When to shift depends on what circumstances you are driving in. When to shift in stop and go traffic is different from shifting on the strip.
.
.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
i suppose its a matter of personal tastes, but i try to shift around 3200... that seems to be where you can shift and it feels like an auto if you do it right. around town i usually use 1st to 3rd gear.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Rye TX
Originally Posted by 1bumprfan
if g forces are letting up, you need to shift.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
I have the same year & motor, and in normal traffic high RPM shifts are not pratical or possable. For fuel economy, smooth acceleration, and engine longevity I shift between 2000 & 2500.
When traffic opens up...well...let's just say I take her to it's limit. 4500 to 5000.
Eddie
When traffic opens up...well...let's just say I take her to it's limit. 4500 to 5000.
Eddie
