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where do you shift?

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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 12:26 PM
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Default where do you shift?

I have an 86 4+3.. i just had a tune done... and apparently my car has no rev limiter? so i guess my question is where do most of you shift when getting on it.. the Tuned port definately seems to fall off in the high rpms..

im not a fan of not haing a rev lmiter... what if you mis-shift.... yeesh. i might ask my tuner if they can add via tune.

so i guess my question is how high do you normally take your engine when getting on it? and how high is "safe" with a stock tuned port?
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 02:08 PM
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Depends on the peak (rpm) of the power curve, reaction time, whether or not the driver "lifts" the accelerator or power shifts...AND experience (trial and error - see what works best.

Shift point and rev-limiter rpm are not usually the same. Shift points optimize acceleration. Rev limiters are set at the rpm where useful power ends; no practical benefit to rpm exists beyond that point, AND, secondarily to keeps the rpm below the self destruct "threshold".

Specific rpm references depend on mods...IF any. Stock shift and rev limits for an L98 car might be around 4200 for shift and 4500 for rev limit. An LT1 around 5300 and 5800, respectively, & LT4 about 500 rpm higher, & LT5 is 6300/7100 (stock 1990).

So, it depends on the mods or lack there of too.

Last edited by Paul Workman; Sep 16, 2016 at 08:39 AM. Reason: tpyos...
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 02:37 PM
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thanks paul.. that what i was looking for.. my car is fairly stock, with a tune and exhaust only.

yeah i know shift and rev limiter are diff.. 42 and 45 make sense espically since it does seem to have less power that high.. crazy to me that these wind out so fast.. im so used to my small block v8s winding out in the mid 5's.

Yeah im not power shifting, just normal on it, beating around town kinda stuff.
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 11:59 PM
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52-5400.
She'll give it up after that and won't hurt a thing
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Old Sep 16, 2016 | 12:54 AM
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Even with my new engine, I don't really want to risk pushing it to high RPM's, so usually shift at 4600 ish.

Even before I built my new motor I missed some shifts, but it never hurt the engine. I could be wrong on this but from what I've heard the L98 should be safe to rev to 5500 (MAX), but you won't make any power revving that high.

Last edited by DMITTZ; Sep 16, 2016 at 12:54 AM.
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Old Sep 16, 2016 | 02:39 AM
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Originally Posted by tomcamaro97
apparently my car has no rev limiter?
The rev limiter is set in the ECM code to shut off the fuel at 10,031 RPM. In other words, it's disabled.

I missed at 2 to 3 shift once and bent some pushrods...
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Old Sep 16, 2016 | 09:19 AM
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60% of ZR-1 respondents to a survey to see how many had ever hit the rev limiter (7100 rpm), NEVER had hit it. Furthermore most of those seldom inched over the 6000 rpm mark!

"WAXERS vs. WARRIORS"... We all know that Corvette owners gravitate to one or the other, but I was astounded to by the data that suggests that even among ZR-1 owners; a car specifically born to perform well, that perhaps the majority of the owners never realized the car's potential!

If one can transfer this phenomenon to include other Corvettes (C-whatever), it kinda tells me why GM appears to drag its feet when developing something more advanced (i.e., faster). After all, the majority of their buyers purchase the Vette NOT because of its performance, but for reasons they would have to explain, cuz I can't!!

Shift points? Rev limit? Apparently, these values mean nothing to MOST Corvette owners. Those of us that do concern ourselves with such trivia are apparently in the minority...for what that's worth - and the marketing ppl know it. Kinda puts new light on GM marketing (e.g., resistance to mid-engine(?) development) both past and present, huh?

Last edited by Paul Workman; Sep 16, 2016 at 09:44 AM.
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Old Sep 16, 2016 | 09:51 AM
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tuner is going to set a rev limiter for me, im thinking ill say 5500,? i will plan on shifting in the low 4's.. but want to set a rev limiter to avoid any misshift damage..

5500 sound reasonable , or should i say lower?
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Old Sep 17, 2016 | 02:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Workman
Shift points? Rev limit? Apparently, these values mean nothing to MOST Corvette owners. Those of us that do concern ourselves with such trivia are apparently in the minority...for what that's worth - and the marketing ppl know it.
After running a few LSR events one can feel when its right to shift.
When the torque has peaked and rev advance slows.
Try experimenting and use different shift points. The timing ticket will tell the truth.
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Old Sep 17, 2016 | 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
After running a few LSR events one can feel when its right to shift.
When the torque has peaked and rev advance slows.
Try experimenting and use different shift points. The timing ticket will tell the truth.
Good point. In fact, recently I saw an ad for a programmable(?) shift light where one could do just that: select different RPM shift points depending on the gear.

Reaction time...plays a role too: especially in the lower gears and 410 gears (or higher).
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