[thomaspatton]

Okay, this might sound odd, especially coming from a new guy, but here goes...

When is a good time to shift? I know that there's an actual scientific method through dyno testing to figure this out, but I also know it was figured out long before dyno's came about. I don't have the money for testing (hell, I barely have the money for 5.0 upkeep and 93 Octane lately) so what are the secrets from the old masters?

What feeling should I be getting from a proper, advantagous shift? Or, what RPM should the car be generally hitting?

[HMUSN]

it depends on the driver man.


I shift at around 3k

[thomaspatton]

That's what I initially started shifting at as well, but lately I'vebeen pushing it to 3500 and it seems to be getting better top end push, as well as dropping down to 2000 after shift. I just didn't know if I was pushing too hard or if I could take it up even more.

[Tony_90fox]

you can definitely take it up more. Are you talking for daily drive shifting, or racing? You could easily take it to 5500 or so while driving it hard. Just know that you shouldnt do that all the time.

[gordon norris]

well it depends on what u are going for speed then it just depends u have to feel the car out if u shift to late u will feel the car lose speed when u have pasted the power band u shift to early and the car will bog down it the same for daily driving u dont want to shift to late all the time its hard on the motor but u dont want shift to early it bogs it down and is hard on the motor i say u all ways want to try to shift where the rpms come down to no less than 2000rpm any lower and u are bogging the car

[fogged306]

When it stops pullin, you start shifting

[Stangzilla]

Originally Posted by thomaspatton Okay, this might sound odd, especially coming from a new guy, but here goes... When is a good time to shift? I know that there's an actual scientific method through dyno testing to figure this out, but I also know it was figured out long before dyno's came about. I don't have the money for testing (hell, I barely have the money for 5.0 upkeep and 93 Octane lately) so what are the secrets from the old masters? What feeling should I be getting from a proper, advantagous shift? Or, what RPM should the car be generally hitting?

Dude it all depends on the amount of mods the car has what type of driving you are doing ect... Shift how you want when you want.. If your car is mostly stock and you want to rip it then dont shift above 58-5900rpms because they dont make good power in that rpm range.. The reason for the higher rpm is because of where you will be rpm wise for the next gear.. Feel your car man then decide.. Drive it however you want... Experiment...
Every Mustang is different.. Get to know yours..

[thomaspatton]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. This is just about what I was looking for.

I definately drive my car how I feel, but hell, I can push my kids too far too sometimes. Didn't want to be hurting my Stang by doing something wrong. I'll try to push her up past my normal range of 3500 after I get my tired put on tomorrow, but I might just go with a little bit of everyones advice mixed with a healthy dose of what Fogged306 says.

Once again, much appreciation.

[usmcsawgunner]

do exactly what fogged306 said...if youre racing and you feel the car kinda set the nose down like its running outta oompphh....shift
for normal driving you shouldnt have to go more than 3000 rpm

[cams-shelbycobra07]

and when your racing pop the clutch and slam it to the next gear

[Stangzilla]

Originally Posted by cams-shelbycobra07 and when your racing pop the clutch and slam it to the next gear

Yeah that works...

[Mr_Evil]

All depends where your car makes power and where your RPMs will be in the next gear.

[fogged306]

Originally Posted by Stangzilla Originally Posted by cams-shelbycobra07 and when your racing pop the clutch and slam it to the next gear Yeah that works...