How damaging is powershifting?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale AZ
How damaging is powershifting?
I have always been afraid to powershift because it seems like it's got to be pretty brutal on the clutch, is it the kind of thing you can get away with occasionally? Is it worth it? Pretty subjective questions I know, if someone knows how to quantify it feel free.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,883
Likes: 518
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (buddha)
It in now way is good for the car but if you miss a power shift it is very easy on our cars to bend push rods and other damaging things can also happen grinding gears. I really dont think it is necessary it seems to drop a couple tenths off the quarter mile hope this helped :D
Drifting
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 4
From: Saratoga Spgs, NY 12866 NY
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (John Shiels)
I powershift on a very regular basis without any problems. Is it hard on the car? Sure it is, a bit. Just as AutoX, burn outs, driving 150 mph, etc. If you never exceed the speed limit and never rev the engine past 3000 rpm, your C5 will last longer. The tires will last longer. But that is not why I own it. Pulling clean, hard, redline powershifts puts abig grin on my face every time :D :D :D :D
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (Terry Humiston)
I powershift on a very regular basis without any problems. Is it hard on the car? Sure it is, a bit. Just as AutoX, burn outs, driving 150 mph, etc. If you never exceed the speed limit and never rev the engine past 3000 rpm, your C5 will last longer. The tires will last longer. But that is not why I own it. Pulling clean, hard, redline powershifts puts abig grin on my face every time :D :D :D :D
Powershifting dropped .25 off my ET and added almost 4 MPH. I thought I was shifting pretty fast before this too :crazy:
I never heard any "bad" sounds coming from anything when powershifting either. For as many times as I get to the track (a few times a year) I doubt this is going to take any life outta this car :cheers:
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (New-B)
I powershift on a very regular basis without any problems. Is it hard on the car? Sure it is, a bit. Just as AutoX, burn outs, driving 150 mph, etc. If you never exceed the speed limit and never rev the engine past 3000 rpm, your C5 will last longer. The tires will last longer. But that is not why I own it. Pulling clean, hard, redline powershifts puts abig grin on my face every time :D :D :D :D
Powershifting dropped .25 off my ET and added almost 4 MPH. I thought I was shifting pretty fast before this too :crazy:
I never heard any "bad" sounds coming from anything when powershifting either. For as many times as I get to the track (a few times a year) I doubt this is going to take any life outta this car :cheers:
:seeya
Powershifting dropped .25 off my ET and added almost 4 MPH. I thought I was shifting pretty fast before this too :crazy:
I never heard any "bad" sounds coming from anything when powershifting either. For as many times as I get to the track (a few times a year) I doubt this is going to take any life outta this car :cheers:
:seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (Umrswimr)
Dave, in the old days "powershifting" meant shifting without depressing the clutch. The idea was that you could tell exactly when the RPM and speed were just right and then you would shift at that time (and not depress the clutch pedal). If you missed it, and I mean just barely missed that "proper" timing...then you would be leaving parts of your tranny all over the road. I think the "new breed" defines "powershifting" as just getting as close to redline as possible in each gear and doing it as fast as possible. :rolleyes:
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Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,656
Likes: 7,296
From: CT
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (Umrswimr)
Powershifting - instead of letting off the gas as you shift, you keep your foot planted.
I managed a 13.05 out of my 2000 Coupe just shifting quick and hard. At the time that was considered to be a decent time. I was pleased since it was my first (and only) time ever to a drag strip.
I managed a 13.05 out of my 2000 Coupe just shifting quick and hard. At the time that was considered to be a decent time. I was pleased since it was my first (and only) time ever to a drag strip.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,084
Likes: 0
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (Mark S.)
I think the "new breed" defines "powershifting" as just getting as close to redline as possible in each gear and doing it as fast as possible. :rolleyes:
[Modified by The DBK, 10:00 AM 5/21/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,003
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From: San Diego CA
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (The DBK)
If you keep your foot planted on the throttle, go to redline then shift withought lifting the gas won't you hit the limiter? Or do you shift at an earlier rpm?
Frank
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (NYtoCA)
The times below are times I ran one day at HRP. Only one run did I powershift. I'm pretty consistent at the track, so this should give you a good idea as to what it will get you...
12.91 111.04
12.89 110.37
12.88 109.81
12.77 111.32
Last one was powershifted. By the way, I didn't post, but my last two runs had identical 60' times (down to the hundredth of a second).
Here are three runs on a cooler day - all powershifted...
12.688 111.05
12.664 111.85
12.698 111.23
Now for the bad news, I did have to replace a transmission due to a lost third gear synchro, so I seldom powershift anymore. In fact, the four runs above are the only powershifting I've done since the new tranny went in six months ago.
12.91 111.04
12.89 110.37
12.88 109.81
12.77 111.32
Last one was powershifted. By the way, I didn't post, but my last two runs had identical 60' times (down to the hundredth of a second).
Here are three runs on a cooler day - all powershifted...
12.688 111.05
12.664 111.85
12.698 111.23
Now for the bad news, I did have to replace a transmission due to a lost third gear synchro, so I seldom powershift anymore. In fact, the four runs above are the only powershifting I've done since the new tranny went in six months ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 82,866
Likes: 4
From: Dust Bowl
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (Mark S.)
Dave, in the old days "powershifting" meant shifting without depressing the clutch. The idea was that you could tell exactly when the RPM and speed were just right and then you would shift at that time (and not depress the clutch pedal). If you missed it, and I mean just barely missed that "proper" timing...then you would be leaving parts of your tranny all over the road. I think the "new breed" defines "powershifting" as just getting as close to redline as possible in each gear and doing it as fast as possible. :rolleyes:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 82,866
Likes: 4
From: Dust Bowl
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (NYtoCA)
If you keep your foot planted on the throttle, go to redline then shift withought lifting the gas won't you hit the limiter? Or do you shift at an earlier rpm?
Frank
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (johnso26)
If you are really good, you won't pick up but about 100 rpm. Also, I think many "powershifters" (including myself) actually feather the throttle back just slightly. I can assure you, it is done so fast it's hard to see.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 925
From: Alaska
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (jschindler)
If you read the last issue of the Vette magazine published by GM it states the driveline is required to sustain 600 full cycle power shifts (keeping gas pedal depressed while shifting) without suffering damage or the components are not used in the driveline. It further states power shifting is how GM arrives at there 0-60 and quarter mile times as well (along with a full tank of gas). I admit it is soul satifying thing to do when power shifting second gear and feeling the rear of coupe break loose and go sideways a little bit <S>. If it breaks I'll fix it. I drive this car, not look at it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,607
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: How damaging is powershifting? (snowwolfe)
I admit it is soul satifying thing to do when power shifting second gear and feeling the rear of coupe break loose and go sideways a little bit.