shift points

[RichRVF]

ok this is going to sound really dumb but what rpm is best to shift these cars at, ive been told not to go above like 5500 but others have said 6000 and ive heard of others going slightly above. i just want to get the best performance outa each gear. Thanks

[pkit85]

Using your tachometer for shift points is pointless in these cars. If you drive it long enough, you'll learn by ear & feel when to shift. If you're driving hard, your eyes need to be on the road (did I say road? I meant track) all the time. The reason the tach is pointless (assuming you have an ls1 car with a 6-speed) is that the GM tach is really lazy. You'll be hitting the 6200 rpm rev limiter while the tach shows less than 6000. This is under wide-open throttle conditions. If you want the added safety of an external shift indicator that won't lag, I suggest a shift light. You can set one to come on at whatever rpm you like (5800 is the number I've heard most often, as this is where that REALLY wide ls1 powerband peaks), and it doesn't lag like the GM tach. For more information, check out the site below. This guy really knows what he's talking about, and has lots of details about great ls1 mods on his site.

http://www.xse.com/leres/ss/shiftlight.html

[ncnbmss]

i heard on a stock camaro the rev limiter was at 5700 rpm.

[pkit85]

ncnbmss, you may well be right... 6200 is what I heard through the site I put the link in my post to... I haven't verified it... I'll defer to you, since your F4 would absolutely destroy my puny little Z28 at the track... for rich's benefit, though, if you're worried about fragging your motor with too many revs, the shift light is probably a good idea, especially since you'll have less than $60 invested... my guess is after a few months of driving the car you won't even look for it to come on... these cars really make you work to drive them, but they're not hard to get used to...

[ncnbmss]

like i said im not sure either. but yes a shift light would be a good extra protection idea. by the way i have a autometer siftlight for sale. it has never been used. i have extra cobalt lens and cap w/ it. let me know if your interested.

[RichRVF]

Thanks, i already have an external tach w/ a shift light, i was just wondering what RPM is best to shift at for "peak" performance.

[Pewter 02 z28]

Questionwhere is the powerband at for a 02 z28? I heard it was around 5500 and if you go past it the Rpm curve goes down.. Is it true?

[pkit85]

chevy lists peak power on the ls1 at 5200rpm... no point shifting after that... but I'd like to get my hands on a graph showing the power curve from idle all the way to the redline... this engine has a really wide power band... I notice quick response and a reasonably strong pull as low as 2500...

[Excal]

i saw a slip of amodded ls1 'maro peaking torque at 4000rpm and hp at 7000rpm

[ssman]

PKiT85 responded with a link for a 2000 shift light mod. The schematic referenced shows engine speed output at c2-10 and c105-g. The word description describes where c105-g is and how to hook up to it but there is no mention os c2-10. Where is it and what is it for?

[pkit85]

I'm really not sure about the schematic... I don't have a shift light, I've only driven cars with them installed, and I used that guy's website b/c he seemed the most knowledgeable about the topic... assuming he's still available, I think the guy has contact info on the site, and I know he installed his shift light; he may be able to help you out...

[HMFDZ28]

You can shift around 5500, there is no real need to go higher. When you have the supporting mods (headers, exhaust, t/b, and tune) you can hit 6000 no problems.