I presume power shifting means you don't use the clutch, right? Do you do it 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th, or only 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th?

Do you ease up on the gas momentarily?

Have you ever broken anything power shifting?

Thanks,
MarkT

 

Go 1-2-3-4 with really sticky tires.
Gas is flat on the floor (dont miss a shift)
On a stock tranny you will break alot of stuff. (my stock clutch lasted about 4 passes)

 

I would suggest using the clutch every shift......just don't take your foot off the floor, practice makes perfect, but you'll know if your losing if you start smelling the eggs cookin

I can't even bring my car to the top of 1st with these damn 19's on here......getting into 2nd is a chore too, car is all over the place and its stock......

 

I agree with the above, use the clutch but keep the gas to the floor.

 

As has been said, powershifting means keeping WOT but shifting using the clutch.

Shifting w/o the cluch is called rev-matching and it will not save you any time in 1/4 mile racing. However rev-matching and using the clutch is beneficial for optimal lap times on a race track.

 

Powershifting is shifting WITHOUT using the clutch.

Shifting with the clutch, but staying flat out on the gas is speed shifting.

 

No it isn't. Read the information below from the zf doctor, Bill Boudreau. His website is: www.zfdoc.com


POWERSHIFT TECHNIQUE (hitting the mark) -

Optimize each shift-segment window-of-opportunity by full-cycling the clutch pedal completely to the floor.
Utilize the firewall mat for a springboard to literally bounce the clutch pedal back off of.
The clutch pedal to firewall mat strike point can easily be protected by laying down a few strips of 2" wide high quality electric tape.

How to practice your Shift Reaction Timing:

Out of vehicle -
While standing and balancing on your right leg, raise your left leg 7" up off the floor. Simultaneously tap the floor with the bottom of your shoe tip and snap your right hand fingers (ring/thumb) so as to make one combined noise between the two. Match'em 30 times in a row, and you're dialed in precision shifting.

In vehicle -
Position your seat close enough to the pedals so that depressing the clutch pedal
to the floor is achieved with between 50/50 to 60/40 percent combination of knee/ankle
joint deflection. Shift reaction time seems to tighten up (real nice) when approaching
the 50/50 percent end.
Shift lever movement should initiate to the next gear at the same time you expect to hear the "thunk" of the clutch pedal tapping the mat.

Warning - Shallow clutching is deadly to these transmissions when powershifting.

The shallow shifting comment is directed towards the ZF tranny, but is applicable to the tremec as well, as both have hydraulic clutch actuators. Hope that clears up some misinformation.

 

I'll add my usual cautionary note....

Most Z06 owners that powershift frequently will miss enough shifts to require a tranny rebuild or replacement.

Bunch of guys have trashed more than one tranny doing this.

So those intending to start powershifting might want to do most of their practice, practice, practice with the engine off to imbed the muscle memory before doing the deed "under power."

End of sermonette....

Ranger

 

It's really a lot easier than standing on one leg and rubbing your tummy while patting your head.

While under hard accelleration in 1st, start pulling to 2nd as hard as you can. You will NOT be able to move the shifter! As soon as you stab the clutch, voila, you will automatically be in second as fast as your left foot is. Repeat while pushing towards 3rd etc. Your speed will only be limited by how fast you can stab and release the clutch. So the only practice you need will be with your left foot.

 

Thanks guys.
Now I got to go try it.

MarkT

 

I appreciate what you're saying, and yes, this will make for a fast shift - but you'll destroy a number of bushings and bearings putting all that undue pressure on the shifter while it is in gear - better to practice and time it correctly to save costly repairs.

 

Right - that technique is called pre-loading the transmission. I'm surprised the other guy didn't mention it in his "technique". I actually do this on my bike all the time, but I don't want to abuse the 'Vette by possibly missing with the clutch. It's a whole lot more expensive to fix the tranny on the Z.

 

Your bike has a cartridge type transmission, which makes it very ammenable to preloading the shifter, and also to VERY easy, and non-damaging clutchless upshifts. This is not a good comparison to a car transmission. Pre-loading the shifter will destroy the transmission - this is why is wasn't mentioned. You shouldn't even rest your hand on the shifter while accelerating or cruising as this can cause damage.

 

Well, I'm here to learn just as much as anybody. I'd really like to know how this damages any bearings or bushings? I've been using this technique for almost 40 years and never lost a tranny or a clutch. As far as I remember it, the shifter is connected through linkage to nothing more than the shift fork, and nothing can move until the clutch is depressed thereby releasing the pressures on the gears. The only hardship is on the sudden loads released onto the entire drivetrain. But not that much different than your technique. Please clarify, Thanks

 

Rev Matching is when you bring revs up to go to a lower gear. Like if you going down the highway in sixth gear at 50 miles per hour and you want to select second you will need to bring the revs up to go into the lower gear (MN6 not M12) otherwise the clutch won't let you select that gear and it will grind.......... This isn't true with the M-12 because you can select gears without bringing the revs up.

 

Power shifting, standing on the gas, Jabbing the clutch( very fast), and yanking or jamming the shifter is the way it goes. Until you practice a lot under power you won't get good at it. Is it hard on parts, in a word, yes, it sure can be. The Z with stock rubber and traction control off will break the tires loose and lose time and traction. If you have a lot of sticky rubber on and get good at shifting this way you WILL start breaking parts. Anyone here have a first hand story ?

 

You are thinking of it in terms of motorcycle Racing, where power shifting means yanking up on the shifter with no clutch, in a car it is different. Rev matching is know ing where your RPM's are and where they will be in the next gear, and shifting at that point without the clutch.

Powershifting is when you keep your right foot glued to the floor and engage the clutch, not usually all the way, basically a tap. This is not good practice on a stock clutch if you want it to last. If you have had Vette experience this will usually result in a clutch pedal stuck to the floor after a few times. Oh yeah, and quickness is KEY!! You don't want to be holding your right foot down and be bouncing off the Rev limiter, Just tap that clutch and yank that shifter!!!!!
And last, if you are trying to improve your drag racing times, don't powershift the 1-2 shift, you will only spin the tires.......Good Luck.