For any Z-06 users of the Raptor shift light out there, what are you setting the thing at to miss the rev limiter?

 

Hey Tracy.

I don't run a shift light but I worked through the setting process with a racer friend at track rental last fall.

The proper setting depended on his reaction time to the visual queue and how fast he made the clutch depression on the shift. He made the initial setting too high and was still hitting the limiter on fifty percent of the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. So he adjusted it down in rpm in 100 increments until on max runs he did not hit or nudge the limiter. Finding the sweet spot took about four moves.

So the correct rpm-setting is found by experimentation. If on your initial setting, you never hit the limiter, advance it 100 rpm and make a few more runs. Do that iteratively until you just nudge it. Then back off the rpm a tad.

Resuts may vary. But that's a process that worked well and took that gentleman into the 10s.

Ranger

 

Ranger,

Yeah, I totally agree that the setting can vary, due to different "shift-abilities", and different cars/tires, too. In my case, I'd be happy with a good setting for normal "off the gas" speed shifting, and then see if it works for powershifting. Somewhere in there is a sweet spot.

I suspect the powershift setting would need to be a tad lower than normal speed shifting, but if set for powershifting, you could wait a heartbeat longer for non-powwershifting.

However, I'm forever hitting the limiter when pulling onto an interstate in 3rd and looking for slower cars and Smokey! So for me, the Raptor is more for street monkeybusiness that dragstrip powershifting.

So, what's a good baseline setting for incremental raises? Also, does anyone really know for a fact where our miserable HUD shift light comes one? I've tried to make note....I think it's 63 hundred, but not sure. I recall we've discussed this before here.

 

Just my $.02.

If I had to think about when to shift or look for a signal to tell me when to shift---then I just missed the time when I was supposed to shift.
Another words, if you had to think when to shift, your too LATE.

 

set your shift light at 6000 rpms.

 

BLW BY,

Go out an make a few full-throttle powershifts just before redline/limiter, if you haven't already, and tell us how you did. How's that limiter sound? Shift lights are pretty standard items, so don't think they're a crutch for poor drivers like myself.....Formula One cars have 'em. The whole idea is that you don't HAVE to think about when to shift....you just learn to react to the light.

The *problem*, if you will, with the Z06 motor is that it pulls like the devil right up to when the limiter suddenly comes on. So, it seems (to me) like it's set too low (not counting our valvespring limitations ). I used to powershift smallblock Mopars upwards of 7100 with no limiter, so if you were off (late) by a few RPM, it didn't really matter, 'cause a limiter didn't suddenly spoil your fun.

And remember...Chevy saw fit to give us a shift light for a reason...they just forgot to make it figgin' visible.

JerriVette,

Are you using a Raptor? I was thinking 61 or 62 hundred....but maybe I'll start at 6 .

 

I have mine set at 300 below the limiter which on my car is 7500 and it seems to work fine. I might move it to 200 below but want to try it for awhile this way.

 

why don't we find the wire that powers the gm shift light that comes with the car and hook up a small light$5-$15, thats a lot cheater than a rapter

 

I like the way you talk!

 

tracy, i have the raptor set @ 6300 & i still occasionally tag the limiter, but this setting [for me] seems the best.

 

This guy has it figured out http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/showthr...6&page=1&pp=40

 

cuspid--yeah, that's pretty cool for those Holden drivers, but you still have to be looking at the tach/dash instead of the road. That's why the death-ray blast from the Raptor, mounted on the pillar, is good!

The Raptor is a bit pricey, but it does use LEDs instead of some cheap bulb, it's well made, it's adjustable, and it's a low volume production item, so Hey, let 'em make a few bucks off us wealthy Corvette owners. After all, look how much some guys are willing to pay for a partition, which has about $8.42 worth of material in it. [I made mine. ]

z06pdq--63 seems about right to me, too. Is that for powershifts, or "off-gas"?

Kschwamy--7500?

 

Tracy reread the GTO mod there is a speaker built in the dash that starts buzzing. It is a dual warning system. Light /sound

 

[QUOTE=Tracy]BLW BY,

Go out an make a few full-throttle powershifts just before redline/limiter, if you haven't already, and tell us how you did. How's that limiter sound? Shift lights are pretty standard items, so don't think they're a crutch for poor drivers like myself.....Formula One cars have 'em. The whole idea is that you don't HAVE to think about when to shift....you just learn to react to the light.

I'm sorry. I don't have that problem.
My problem is that it runs into the rev limiter, if not right though it, not bumps into.
The thing pulls so fast from 4000 to 6500rpm that it would be a joke to look for a light, for me, by the time I saw the light and reacted to it, well I just soon get a feel for it. I think in the long run you will be faster.
Just my $.02

 

cuspid--Yeah, and if you notice, a lot of those guys wanted to be able to cancel that function. Or look at it this way.....no need for the light at all, just wait for the buzzer!

 

cuspid--Yeah, and if you notice, a lot of those guys wanted to be able to cancel that function. It scares the passengers! Or look at it this way.....no need for the dash light at all, just wait for the annoying buzzer!

BLW BY--what your said is the exact point about having a shift light that's adjustable! Yes, they do pull fast, and that's the whole point...set a shift light for 6300, and when if flashes, you shift. Thus, you don't hit the limiter. If you do....you set it to 6200 or 6100 or 5800...., or whatever keeps you from banging the limiter, as Ranger discussed above. And you don't actually stare at the dang light....it comes on in your peripheral vision. And you can't miss the Raptor as it burns a hole in your retina. I mean....it's better than a tach that you have to watch. I don't know how to explain any better, but think about it. Lots and lots of pro drivers use a shift light, so there must be a reason for 'em.

Anyway, I'm done. Thanks for the info, guys. It comes this week, and I'll install and test this weekend.

 

My problem is I full power shift so fast that I hit the limiter in second because the RPMs don't drop enough to get good pull in second. Most of the time I hit the limiter in first and second. I just need to keep on a practicin'. Maybe I'll get one of those lights.

 

hoogbest--

Well, you're either shifting too late (to close to redline) OR too slow, which allows those revs to soar up against the limiter between gears. And since we KNOW you're not shifting too slow , you must be shifting too late. So....yeah, you might like a shift light. GM gave us one.....we just can't see it!

 

Oh, I forgot to mention about the forced air induction, adds a little. Like 543 rwhp, so it whips so fast through the power curve there is no time for a light of any color, except from the Man, to react to in time for a simple shift.
That is why I gave my $.02 on how you would be better off, going off timing or the sound of the engine, than to react to a light.

You get it right off the feeling, and this is what Corvettes are all about, you'll wax a guy all day long waiting for a light. And that's not my $.02 That's a fact.

For what it's worth, I have an '04 CE Z06 that I drove 5 months stock before mods. If I learned to shift off a light or buzzer when it was stock, I would have to re-learn this because it would be useless.
This is why I offered the advice, not to be condesending, but to save you a little money and time so you wouldn't have to learn something new when you start modding the engine, because everybody does sooner or later.
I'm not sure, but the feeling I'm talking about here, I think is your sence of hearing.

I've figured mine out though, no lights for me.
My motor needs to be in the sweet spot at 3000rpms, not 4000, and red line at 8000. Not that I will be going all the way to 8000 to shift.
This will give me more time to shift, and give me more range in each gear.
I'm good for right now, this is work in progress.
Remember Zora's words back in 1962 about the first Z06, "This is a 'Super Car' at any price", still holds true today.
Let's not let him down!!!!!!!!!!

 

Tracy,
I've got mine set at 6200 and that seems to work for me.
Need to get back to the strip to see if it helps me get a lower et.
Without the light I was hitting the limiter in 1st and 2nd and
shifting out of 3rd way too early (5000 rpm's). I've got to
get into the 12's (middle) before I start the mods to engine.
I think the Raptor will help.