Does anyone powershift?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
Power shifting, even speed shifting, will break drive train parts. Differential cases, clutch, tranny, balb, blab, blab. It's just a damn shame that GM puts such light weight drive train components in the Corvette. These cars are suspose to be made to drive, and it you so, they'll break. Just this last weekend our local NCCC club hosted a low speed autocross. A guy drove up from Mississippi in his Z06 to participate and threw a clutch. Had to leave the car and drive a rental home.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Washington
It's really tough on the Synchros, actually. Some of die-hard draggers I know actually take the synchros OUT of their trannies to aid in powershifting (and probably becasue they already blew theirs).
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I don't have an LS3 (my motor puts out considerably more power). I think it's a safe assumption power shifting will increase the chances of breaking something. Tire spin might help keep everything intact but if you're running tires that hook-up, I think you increase the odds of cracking your differential or worse.
Just experimenting, I have power-shifted a couple of times when I had stock runflats on the car (1-2 and 3-4). I was traction challenged to begin with so power-shifting merely exacerbated the problem, especially from 1st to 2nd.
I'm not a drag racer. I don' have any need to power-shift and I'm also concerned about potentially damaging the car. Accordingly, I don't power-shift.
Just experimenting, I have power-shifted a couple of times when I had stock runflats on the car (1-2 and 3-4). I was traction challenged to begin with so power-shifting merely exacerbated the problem, especially from 1st to 2nd.
I'm not a drag racer. I don' have any need to power-shift and I'm also concerned about potentially damaging the car. Accordingly, I don't power-shift.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
I used to power shift DOWN a lot. A shift from 4th to 3rd was fast and no extra stress on the car if done quickly and well. It felt and sounded like and automatic transmission down shifting. I would think a power shift UP in one of these cars would be very risky. I've not ever done that.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
I don't have an LS3 (my motor puts out considerably more power). I think it's a safe assumption power shifting will increase the chances of breaking something. Tire spin might help keep everything intact but if you're running tires that hook-up, I think you increase the odds of cracking your differential or worse.
Just experimenting, I have power-shifted a couple of times when I had stock runflats on the car (1-2 and 3-4). I was traction challenged to begin with so power-shifting merely exacerbated the problem, especially from 1st to 2nd.
I'm not a drag racer. I don' have any need to power-shift and I'm also concerned about potentially damaging the car. Accordingly, I don't power-shift.
Just experimenting, I have power-shifted a couple of times when I had stock runflats on the car (1-2 and 3-4). I was traction challenged to begin with so power-shifting merely exacerbated the problem, especially from 1st to 2nd.
I'm not a drag racer. I don' have any need to power-shift and I'm also concerned about potentially damaging the car. Accordingly, I don't power-shift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 0
From: Some where in Amerika, sadly watching how is turned into a Socialist Republic.
Drag what?
I keep seeing this posts about power shifting, quarter mile racing. launching, and so on.....have any of you ever seen a dragster, funny car, or pro stock racer, with indendent suspension, or rear mounted transaxle.............No
and you never will, all use solid rear ends to take the abuse......... Vettes may be fast on the 1/4 but the rear trans and half shafts are not made for launching ...............another guy was bitching about the GY f1 tires not bitting, not design for launching. ...........again Corvettes are road cars, the GY F1 tires are exellent on corners, and one more point, the shaft inside the tunnel has RUBBER couplers, not u-joints again not for launching............well some of you will get the point......some will keep breaking parts........I know .Iknow I'll never hear the end of this, but is true!!!!!
and you never will, all use solid rear ends to take the abuse......... Vettes may be fast on the 1/4 but the rear trans and half shafts are not made for launching ...............another guy was bitching about the GY f1 tires not bitting, not design for launching. ...........again Corvettes are road cars, the GY F1 tires are exellent on corners, and one more point, the shaft inside the tunnel has RUBBER couplers, not u-joints again not for launching............well some of you will get the point......some will keep breaking parts........I know .Iknow I'll never hear the end of this, but is true!!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: 1BadC6 New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08
You never Power shift a car with a hydrolic clutch PERIOD.
sorry for spelling so tired.
The fluid would boil and fail.
back in the 70s cable clutches ruled the world.
sorry for spelling so tired.
The fluid would boil and fail.
back in the 70s cable clutches ruled the world.
Last edited by Braciole; Apr 17, 2008 at 09:23 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 0
From: Some where in Amerika, sadly watching how is turned into a Socialist Republic.
Not my intention to correct you, but both systems are independent from the other. By that I mean the clutch Hydraulics from the trans internals.
Last edited by RogerC6; Apr 17, 2008 at 09:34 PM.
Completely the opposite of what my ricer friend at work recommends. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 20
From: New York and Florida
Powershifting. LOL! Most people end up slower when they attempt it. All it does it break the tires loose during shifts, which 1. makes you slower, and 2. makes you look like a total noob.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Washington
I used to power shift DOWN a lot. A shift from 4th to 3rd was fast and no extra stress on the car if done quickly and well. It felt and sounded like and automatic transmission down shifting. I would think a power shift UP in one of these cars would be very risky. I've not ever done that.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Kentucky
Last edited by G Alex; Apr 18, 2008 at 04:33 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Parkland FL
Does anyone here power shift their LS3 with the new tranny? I am from the old days (early 70's) when power shifting was the only way. How is it done now. I read on the Z section where there are comments that the power is so great that parts can break easy......Does the same apply here???????
Speed shifting is when you take your foot off the accelerator for an instant while shifting really fast and then back on the floor.
Power shifting is when you put the gas pedal on the floor and leave it there while shifting and praying you don't miss a gear.
I couldn't find and instructions on power shifting in the owners manual so I am guessing GM frowns on this type of behavior.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
Funny, I drop about .2 tenths when I powershift at the track. It doesnt break the tires loose, they chirp(drag radials) and my torque stays up and I get a faster et. It is my car and if I snap something, I snap something. I totally agree it isnt good for the car but drag racing it anyway isnt good for it. I have slips that show the difference. I know some guys running 11s or 10s are powershifting. Powershifting makes you look like a Total noob, you must not power shift, it isnt something you want to try to do if you dont know what your doing. Missing gears can happen to experienced drivers. Makes you slower ? Please explain ? If running drag radials, I guarantee it wont make you slower. Lets dyno our cars and take them to the track. You take your 6 speed and drive it your way and I will drive it mine. Wanna bet who will win ? I wont be slower and you will be behind me. I may be on a rollback one day from the track but when I go to the track, I drive it to get the lowest et. Everything about drag racing your car is bad for it.
It's my car....if it breaks,I'll fix it.
I beat the snot out of all my performance cars every time I drive them,anything less would be a disservice to the car.
