C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Paddle Shifting - What rpm, how high do you go?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-08-2018, 09:07 AM
  #1  
tuxx
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
tuxx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Posts: 94
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default Paddle Shifting - What rpm, how high do you go?

Ok Just curious when shifting (including paddle shifting) how high do you go before shifting. I like the way it sounds at 3000 or 3500 but someone says thats too high? really? Opinions?
Old 05-08-2018, 09:34 AM
  #2  
JonMN
Safety Car
 
JonMN's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2016
Location: MN
Posts: 4,193
Received 1,022 Likes on 616 Posts
Default

Looking forward to responses on this. I have been playing with this for a couple seasons now. If I feel like a spirited drive, I am shifting in the range you mentioned--pretty nice! If I am just driving around casually, I shift 1-2 almost as soon as I start moving, and then 2 and up at 1500-2000 keeping it very smooth. For downshifting, if coming to a stop I let it downshift on its own, if downshifting for curves I am usually in the 2-3K range. Took a while, but once it became a reflex it became really fun.


PS: A useful thread . . . LINK

Last edited by JonMN; 05-08-2018 at 09:43 AM.
Old 05-08-2018, 09:41 AM
  #3  
0JUICED1
Former Vendor
 
JUICED1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: ST. CHARLES IL
Posts: 26,514
Received 347 Likes on 286 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tuxx
Ok Just curious when shifting (including paddle shifting) how high do you go before shifting. I like the way it sounds at 3000 or 3500 but someone says thats too high? really? Opinions?


Shifting at 3-3.5k rpm won't hurt anything. That is barely above where the vehicle usually shifts during medium acceleration. It's a sports car that is meant to be driven hard. Use it. These cars love playing in the power band. That being said if you are constantly hitting the redline everyday with big time up and down shifts yeah....you'll take some life off the engine. But a little spirited driving is why we by Corvettes.
The following 2 users liked this post by JUICED1:
Blackcherry20 (06-29-2023), Maxie2U (06-09-2018)
Old 05-08-2018, 12:33 PM
  #4  
proeagles
Melting Slicks
 
proeagles's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: Covington LA
Posts: 2,071
Received 2,138 Likes on 892 Posts

Default

Any where from 2K to 6500. Where ever it shifts when floored in auto mode. Doesn't matter. Drive like a standard and shift when you think you would shift a standard. Doesn't matter.
Old 05-08-2018, 01:01 PM
  #5  
tuxx
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
tuxx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Posts: 94
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I like to push it to the 3-3.5. it sounds great to me. I've had sports cars but never one that sounds so good. We have two c7s one auto and one stick. I'm fine driving stick but when in the auto z51 c7 I still like to push things

Last edited by tuxx; 05-08-2018 at 01:15 PM.
Old 05-08-2018, 01:15 PM
  #6  
383vett
Race Director
 
383vett's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2003
Location: moraga ca
Posts: 17,570
Received 1,541 Likes on 1,042 Posts

Default

It depends on whether you are accelerating or cruising. Also how much acceleration are you looking for? For all out, hold it near redline. For cruising, rpms anywhere from 1500 to 3000 for most. If you like to hear the motor rev, go higher. As someone else mentioned, treat it as a manual.
Old 05-08-2018, 01:15 PM
  #7  
Thunder22
Team Owner
 
Thunder22's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Long Island
Posts: 31,243
Received 2,311 Likes on 1,456 Posts

Default

Normal just calm driving I shift between 2-3k. If I'm in an aggressive mood it's anywhere between 3K and redline. The car can take it.
Old 05-08-2018, 01:21 PM
  #8  
Carvin
Melting Slicks
 
Carvin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2015
Location: Darien, IL
Posts: 2,052
Received 526 Likes on 354 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by tuxx
Ok Just curious when shifting (including paddle shifting) how high do you go before shifting. I like the way it sounds at 3000 or 3500 but someone says thats too high? really? Opinions?
Who claims 3000 is too high?!
The following 2 users liked this post by Carvin:
Vette Jockey (06-29-2023), woodsguy (06-09-2018)
Old 05-08-2018, 01:35 PM
  #9  
Thunder22
Team Owner
 
Thunder22's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Long Island
Posts: 31,243
Received 2,311 Likes on 1,456 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Carvin
Who claims 3000 is too high?!
Probably people who see the auto in D slogging the engine along at 1500-200 in 8th 90% of the time.
The following users liked this post:
Carvin (05-08-2018)
Old 05-08-2018, 01:39 PM
  #10  
NashvilleGrandSport
Melting Slicks
 
NashvilleGrandSport's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 2,101
Received 714 Likes on 482 Posts
Default

Just got back from Ron Fellows Corvette Driving School. The instructors said around 5500 is the best shift point as much more really puts you out of heart of the powerband on upshifts.
The following 2 users liked this post by NashvilleGrandSport:
StrykerZ06 (06-30-2023), Vette Jockey (06-29-2023)
Old 05-08-2018, 03:03 PM
  #11  
tuxx
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
tuxx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Posts: 94
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by NashvilleGrandSport
Just got back from Ron Fellows Corvette Driving School. The instructors said around 5500 is the best shift point as much more really puts you out of heart of the powerband on upshifts.

5500!!! That seems real high? So yo take it to 5500 1 to 2 2 to 3 etc? I'm sure the car can take it but that seems high

Old 05-08-2018, 03:20 PM
  #12  
Woodson
Le Mans Master
 
Woodson's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2013
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 5,680
Received 1,357 Likes on 785 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by tuxx
Ok Just curious when shifting (including paddle shifting) how high do you go before shifting. I like the way it sounds at 3000 or 3500 but someone says thats too high? really? Opinions?
C'mon. You don't believe that do you?
The following users liked this post:
tuxx (05-08-2018)
Old 05-08-2018, 03:20 PM
  #13  
NashvilleGrandSport
Melting Slicks
 
NashvilleGrandSport's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 2,101
Received 714 Likes on 482 Posts
Default

5500 rpm
For tooling around town... no.
For performance... yes.
The following 2 users liked this post by NashvilleGrandSport:
ElGreco53 (05-08-2018), tuxx (05-08-2018)
Old 05-08-2018, 03:38 PM
  #14  
orca1946
Le Mans Master
 
orca1946's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Hampshire, IL
Posts: 5,336
Received 453 Likes on 340 Posts

Default

I like 3000 -5000 rpm for power and sound points.
The following users liked this post:
tuxx (05-08-2018)
Old 05-08-2018, 03:42 PM
  #15  
tuxx
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
tuxx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Posts: 94
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by NashvilleGrandSport
5500 rpm
For tooling around town... no.
For performance... yes.

So your serious 5500?!! I dont know if I should take this as a joke. I may do the driving school at some point.
Old 05-08-2018, 04:03 PM
  #16  
Woodson
Le Mans Master
 
Woodson's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2013
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 5,680
Received 1,357 Likes on 785 Posts

Default

See that mark at 6500RPM? That is redline. And is that your car with the service rear axle notification?
Old 05-08-2018, 04:12 PM
  #17  
rmorin1249
Le Mans Master

 
rmorin1249's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Hagerstown MD
Posts: 6,876
Received 1,738 Likes on 1,174 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18

Default

Hell, go to Redline if you want to. The computer rev limiter will protect the engine on upshifts but maybe not on downshifts. Hold the down paddle and will put tranny in the lowest gear that is safe.

Get notified of new replies

To Paddle Shifting - What rpm, how high do you go?

Old 05-08-2018, 05:01 PM
  #18  
tuxx
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
tuxx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Posts: 94
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Woodson
See that mark at 6500RPM? That is redline. And is that your car with the service rear axle notification?
Oh This photo is from a few weeks ago, I have the axle module fixed
Old 05-08-2018, 05:08 PM
  #19  
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
 
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Posts: 40,078
Received 8,918 Likes on 5,327 Posts

Default

Watch a few of the track videos taken with the PDR on YouTube. Most of us are running right up to 6400 (the only point where you get all of the advertised Horsepower) at wide open throttle. Anything less in rpm or throttle opening is ho hum.


Notice on the LT4 power curve you have just about reached maximum torque at 3500 and are still way down on power. If you shift there it is more like driving a C5Z and shifting at red line.

If you do the same with an LT1 you get even less performance. If you want performance you need to be at wide open throttle and be able to take the rpms to the max. Anything less and you are just putt putting.


Bill
Old 05-08-2018, 05:29 PM
  #20  
2K14C7
Le Mans Master
Support Corvetteforum!
 
2K14C7's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2001
Location: St. Peters MO
Posts: 5,676
Received 519 Likes on 321 Posts
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist

Default

Originally Posted by rmorin1249
Hell, go to Redline if you want to. The computer rev limiter will protect the engine on upshifts but maybe not on downshifts. Hold the down paddle and will put tranny in the lowest gear that is safe.
You can’t over rev the auto on downshifts. The computer won’t allow a downshift if the revs are too high.


Quick Reply: Paddle Shifting - What rpm, how high do you go?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:41 AM.