Shift Points

01-09-2005, 04:40 AM

So it's apparent to me that the 3400's torque drops off fast after ~4500 rpm's. Is anyone else not convinced that letting the tach hit the rev limiter is the optimal shift point for fastest times? We all know that the engine sounds like garbage above 5000 rpm's, but is the garbage still better than a shift?

Of course, with a dyno chart and the gear ratios we could figure this out for certain. I'm well aware that our second gear is really tall, so maybe my point is only relevant for the 2-3 shift, but still.. Any comments?

Daytona · 01-09-2005, 08:38 AM

I take it you have a manual trans?

On the automatics it'll be different.

Either way, I wouldn't let the car hit the rev limiter before shifting. If anything, you'd want to shift before the power curve is truncated by the computer.

01-09-2005, 04:01 PM

I have an automatic--the 3400 can only be had with an automatic, right? Anyway, when and why is the power curve truncated by the computer?

01-09-2005, 04:24 PM

At WOT the auto shifts off engine rpm only. It shifts slightly after power peaks.

mike2002 · 01-09-2005, 05:57 PM

yeah, shifts at 5800. the car is starting to loose power. it does make more power at 5500, but the reason it shifts latter is because you also want to be in a higher rpm for the NEXT gear, you have to find a balance of the two. when you mod your car to breath better with a cold air intake, and free flowing exhaust, the powerband doesn't drop off as soon, it goes longer, which is why its benifical to move the shifts to 6000rpm. which is only acomplished with a chip on the 99's, or a reprogramed computer for the 99-2004's.

MilzyZ34 · 02-12-2005, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by maat@Jan 9 2005, 04:40 AM
So it's apparent to me that the 3400's torque drops off fast after ~4500 rpm's. Is anyone else not convinced that letting the tach hit the rev limiter is the optimal shift point for fastest times? We all know that the engine sounds like garbage above 5000 rpm's, but is the garbage still better than a shift?

Of course, with a dyno chart and the gear ratios we could figure this out for certain. I'm well aware that our second gear is really tall, so maybe my point is only relevant for the 2-3 shift, but still.. Any comments?

the cure for that isn't lower shift points, it's better gearing. put some 3.69's in that thing, it will wake it up, trust me :thumbsup: