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I don't pay attention really... but I'd say in town/traffic I shift mid to high 2000,s, from a stop light on a highway to hit 70MPH maybe mid to high 3000's? If having fun in a safe spot it entirely depends... 4000 and up.
I often 1-3-5-6 shift.
If you are above 900 RPM it is impossible to lug a LS6 engine. The throttle is connected to a computer, which will just give the engine what it can handle............no more.
Especially for new stick drivers, it’s an easy formula to remember and it helps prevent jerking the car.
You know what I mean - wind it up to 4K and either dont give enough gas pedal or pop the clutch. What happens?
Given you can make near interstate speeds in first gear, exactly when you shift is almost a moot point.
Most performance values cited are recorded at the very top of the torque curve, which is not necessarily practical (or safe) in many street scenarios, so shift when it feels right and makes you smile
Most of my driving is city/lots of lights and/or low speed limit areas, so even the midrange of the torque curve is tough to exercise, except light to light in low traffic. Due to lights and speed limits, and the gearing on the trans, I could make the entire trip in first - I rarely see 3rd gear/35mph in my daily commute.
Given that, my shift points are more like 1-2 @25ish, 2-3 at 35-40, and 3-4 up to 55ish.
5th @ 55+, depending on how much power I want.
I don’t use 6th unless I want to cruise at 70+
Thank you what I was interested in was city/street driving shift points for a balance between performance and fuel economy.
Keep the shift RPM's fairly low if you are concerned about mileage. Honestly, I couldn't care less, and not meaning to be cliche, but I wouldn't be driving a Z if I were. Last time I checked (half year or so) it showed 15.9MPG
When I learned to drive a stick, the car I learned on had no RPM gauge, so I created my own rules by speed, that to me, hold up ok.
You should be in a gear one level above the first digit of your speed.
0-10 1st
10-20 2nd
20-30 3rd
30-40 4th
40-50 5th
above 50 6th
To me it's a great formula for leaning to drive a stick if you've never before.
The skip shift kicks in around 2k rpm so, putting around I keep it under that for the most part.
Also keep it under 2k when cold start, and wait until oil temp is at least 125 degrees before going above 2k. Same with the S2k, under 3k until I get all 3 temp bars.
I'd say in town/traffic I shift mid to high 2000,s, from a stop light on a highway to hit 70MPH maybe mid to high 3000's? If having fun in a safe spot it entirely depends... 4000 and up.
Pretty safe advice there.
I learned manual on my 03Z basically, kept focusing/looking at RPMs which wouldn't let me just relax behind the wheel. It just takes some practice & time behind the wheel, eventually you'll just "feel" the car/engine load and shift when you're in that sweet spot for the moment
Also, if you don't do a skip shift eliminator you'll get used to running out 1st a little longer, just enough to keep skip shift from activating. If you just get used to that you'll forget it's even there.
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