Shift Points
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Small Town
Destiny2002,
On your graph, the RPM fall off with each shift to 6000, 6500, 7000 and so forth. Just curious as to what this is attibuted to. Seems as if one upshifted quickly enough, the RPM level could be maintained closer to the hp and torque peak rather than falling off so drastically. Assume that high RPM maintenance is only possible at higher ground speeds.
On your graph, the RPM fall off with each shift to 6000, 6500, 7000 and so forth. Just curious as to what this is attibuted to. Seems as if one upshifted quickly enough, the RPM level could be maintained closer to the hp and torque peak rather than falling off so drastically. Assume that high RPM maintenance is only possible at higher ground speeds.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 2
From: Transporter
It's attributed to the fact that there is no acceleration during an upshift, and the best you can get (without going steeply downhill) is a straight line down to the next gear.
When you are in lower gears, the friction losses due to wind, tire, etc. resistance is low enough that you don't have to be so high in the RPM range to continue accelerating briskly. However, in the top two gears you'll notice a redline shift keeps you at the torque peak. This is the determining factor for the choice of top gearing.
When you are in lower gears, the friction losses due to wind, tire, etc. resistance is low enough that you don't have to be so high in the RPM range to continue accelerating briskly. However, in the top two gears you'll notice a redline shift keeps you at the torque peak. This is the determining factor for the choice of top gearing.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
thanks, this thread really helped a lot. i was really not tapping into the potential of my engine at all, shifting way to early. i used to own an older rx7 that redlined at about 75000 rps but this car is a totally different animal. i just got my car 2 days ago and i'm in love with it. thanks again for the info.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 11
From: SW Florida
I shift every 10mph, is that bad for the car (transmission, engine?)
1st gear - 10mph
2nd gear - 20mph
3rd gear - 30mph
4th gear - 40mph
5th gear - 50mph
6th gear - 55mph
Whenever the car starts getting closer to 4.5k rpm I upshift because in my previous car (07 eclipse GT), true redline was at 6400rpm.
So I guess I am scared of reving the motor in to vtec because it sounds like it wants to blow up.
(i have an 05 ap2)
1st gear - 10mph
2nd gear - 20mph
3rd gear - 30mph
4th gear - 40mph
5th gear - 50mph
6th gear - 55mph
Whenever the car starts getting closer to 4.5k rpm I upshift because in my previous car (07 eclipse GT), true redline was at 6400rpm.
So I guess I am scared of reving the motor in to vtec because it sounds like it wants to blow up.
(i have an 05 ap2)
Registered User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Well i guess i shift pretty early cause after 1st gear i shift around 3500 rpm for just regular driving but it usually ends up around 4000-4500 unless there is some slow @$$ in front of me that makes me shift around 3000 which i hate!!!
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 22,535
Likes: 0
From: Portlandia
Originally Posted by jedwards,Jul 10 2002, 12:36 PM
Of course there will be damage if you do it consistently but not likely if you do it once... or twice... or occasionally 
Mathematical shift points for the gears are:
1st - 43.2
2nd - 65.7
3rd - 90.9
4th - 116.1
5th - 139.5
6th - 166.5
That is if you shift exactly at 9000rpms. I keep a little sticker on my PC monitor at work to remind me all the time of those numbers... actually I only need to remember the first 3 gears since I'm not likely to be at 9K going 115 very often.
Do the calcs for 6k (multiply speeds by 6/9) to get the shift speeds for "normal" driving. This is also good for your break in period. I use these numbers for downshifting.
The downshift numbers are also good to know. Nice to know that as your slowing you can drop down and stay in control and in VTEC.
Enjoy,
JD
Mathematical shift points for the gears are:
1st - 43.2
2nd - 65.7
3rd - 90.9
4th - 116.1
5th - 139.5
6th - 166.5
That is if you shift exactly at 9000rpms. I keep a little sticker on my PC monitor at work to remind me all the time of those numbers... actually I only need to remember the first 3 gears since I'm not likely to be at 9K going 115 very often.
Do the calcs for 6k (multiply speeds by 6/9) to get the shift speeds for "normal" driving. This is also good for your break in period. I use these numbers for downshifting.
The downshift numbers are also good to know. Nice to know that as your slowing you can drop down and stay in control and in VTEC.
Enjoy,
JD
Really sums it up quite well.
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Bellaire, Texas
Originally Posted by EastS2k,Nov 4 2010, 11:10 AM
I shift every 10mph, is that bad for the car (transmission, engine?)
1st gear - 10mph
2nd gear - 20mph
3rd gear - 30mph
4th gear - 40mph
5th gear - 50mph
6th gear - 55mph
Whenever the car starts getting closer to 4.5k rpm I upshift because in my previous car (07 eclipse GT), true redline was at 6400rpm.
So I guess I am scared of reving the motor in to vtec because it sounds like it wants to blow up.
(i have an 05 ap2)
1st gear - 10mph
2nd gear - 20mph
3rd gear - 30mph
4th gear - 40mph
5th gear - 50mph
6th gear - 55mph
Whenever the car starts getting closer to 4.5k rpm I upshift because in my previous car (07 eclipse GT), true redline was at 6400rpm.
So I guess I am scared of reving the motor in to vtec because it sounds like it wants to blow up.
(i have an 05 ap2)
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by idea-catalyst,Nov 4 2010, 03:53 PM
There's "granny shifting" which I sometimes use, there's "interesting shifting" which has some higher shift points, and then there's some "aggressive shifting" points which make a statement, get your adrenaline pumping, and put others on notice that you're serious. I confess to using all of these shift patterns because my mood and situations change; I drive differently at different times.