Shift speeds?

LifeIsGood

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My owner's manual states the following recommended shift speeds:

1-2 15 mph
2-3 25 mph
3-4 40 mph
4-5 45 mph
5-6 50 mph

I've only got 400 miles of seat time, but these shift speeds seem low. This is my first real muscle car and with previous cars I've used a combination of sound and RPMs to determine when to shift. My perception is to shift in the 2500-3500 RPM range which puts my shift speeds a good bit higher than the recommeded ranges. I don't even think that I've used 6th gear yet!

What do you guys/gals think?
 

Vreracing

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I put a 3.55 rear end in. For fun if you're really relaxed you could put it in 3rd, be real easy on the clutch, and then just drive around everywhere in just one gear. My biggest thing is when down shifting, I look at the rpm and when I put the clutch in I try to add about 1000 rpm and then let out the clutch. It seems to be a little smoother that way.

The torque curve is so wide and flat it probably doesn't really matter unless you're racing.

6th gear is kind of nice if you're driving long distances. You can drop it in 6th and go 70. Barely touch the accelerator and then get 20+mpg.
 

dave6666

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...owner's manual states the following recommended shift speeds:

1-2 15 mph
2-3 25 mph
3-4 40 mph
4-5 45 mph
5-6 50 mph

I needed a good laugh this morning! They also probably say pull over in a rest area to make a cell phone call. You can't be too safe...

Unless there's a cop behind me I shift in the 3-5K range. 5K in first is a little over 40 mph in my car. Big difference from the econoshift points.
 

uvbnbit

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I thought those were the recommended shift points for the drag strip! No wonder I cant break 100 in the 1/4 mile. But, I do get good mpg .25 miles at a time :lmao::D:rolaugh::rolleyes:
 
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LifeIsGood

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I would have thought that shifting at such low speeds would 'choke' such a powerful engine. I'm not familiar with rear ends/gear ratios, so 3.55 doesn't mean anything to me. Can someone explain the difference between 3.33, 3.55, 3.73, whatever else...don't forget that I'm an idiot...dumb it down a little :D.
 

uvbnbit

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I would have thought that shifting at such low speeds would 'choke' such a powerful engine. I'm not familiar with rear ends/gear ratios, so 3.55 doesn't mean anything to me. Can someone explain the difference between 3.33, 3.55, 3.73, whatever else...don't forget that I'm an idiot...dumb it down a little :D.



I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong (won't be the first time :D) but, the gear ratio's are in relation to the drivetrain, i.e. the drive shaft will turn 3.33, 3.55 times for each revolution of the tire. That can even change with different wheel/tire diameters also. Which also means "quicker/easier/faster (feeling) take-offs. You'll also have more engine RPM's at the same speeds so you'll have to change gears a little sooner because engine rpm will increase sooner. I'll stop there.
 

dave6666

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I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong (won't be the first time :D) but, the gear ratio's are in relation to the drivetrain, i.e. the drive shaft will turn 3.33, 3.55 times for each revolution of the tire. That can even change with different wheel/tire diameters also. Which also means "quicker/easier/faster (feeling) take-offs. You'll also have more engine RPM's at the same speeds so you'll have to change gears a little sooner because engine rpm will increase sooner. I'll stop there.

That's a pretty simple explanation, and more than likely all that is needed.

A couple of more relevant and simple points regarding rear ends and ratios though...

The rear end gears are after the transmission of course, so they affect every gear you select via the transmission (should you choose to change your rear end gears). Whereas if you were to rebuild your transmission with a custom 1st gear ratio, then that change affects 1st gear only.

One thing about tire diameter changes is that they do not change your gear ratio. They change the distance the car moves per revolution as larger or smaller tires have, well, a larger or smaller circumference. Rotate both a 26" and 28" tall tire one full turn and the 28" tire will have traveled farther. People often refer to tire diameter changes as an effective gear ratio. When I did the 28" tall tires on my GTS (335/30/20) from the factory 26" tall tire, that has the same effect as if I had left the factory 26" tall tires on but changed the rear end gear to a 2.92:1 ratio. That is of course counter to the change most people make! Most people go up in the ratio like to the 3.55:1. I am going to do a 3.55:1 swap this summer, but because of the taller tires I have the effective ratio will just be 3.33:1. Which is actually my target.
 

sdaddy

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When drag racing my 96 GTS it is a choice of shifting into 4th or leaving it in 3rd and hitting the rev limiter at the end of the quarter mile. Last time out my trap speed was 120.66 in 3rd and I did hit the rev limiter briefly.

I think the shift points you referenced are pretty much ridiculously low even for the initial breakin period.
 
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Thanks everybody for the information...I feel better about shifting at higher speeds. At this point in my viper driving career (as mentioned earlier, only 400 miles of seat time), I'm not real concerned about gas mileage...I find that I'm usually still in 3rd gear while crusing on the highway around 70 mph. While in stop and go traffic up to 50 mph, I'm only using 1st and 2nd gear. Should I be concerned about my driving habits?
 

dave6666

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Thanks everybody for the information...I feel better about shifting at higher speeds. At this point in my viper driving career (as mentioned earlier, only 400 miles of seat time), I'm not real concerned about gas mileage...I find that I'm usually still in 3rd gear while crusing on the highway around 70 mph. While in stop and go traffic up to 50 mph, I'm only using 1st and 2nd gear. Should I be concerned about my driving habits?

Um uh yeah... You're already using some upper rpms to a degree. But well within the comfort range of average street driving.

Good work Chap! See, you didn't need us anyway!
 

viperdude118

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If you get tired of shifting gears you could trade your 6 speed viper in for an automatic viper. Then you wouldn't even have to worry about it. :D
 
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I've only ever heard of one automatic...while I was shopping for vipers last year, there was one on the market then. The owner had a physical disability and he had one converted to an automatic.
 

Batboy

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Here are my recommended shift points:

1-2 35 mph
2-3 75 mph
3-4 115 mph
4-5 150 mph
5-6 NEVER!!!!!!


Or whenever the little tach needle hits the red area!!! :drive:

My owner's manual states the following recommended shift speeds:

1-2 15 mph
2-3 25 mph
3-4 40 mph
4-5 45 mph
5-6 50 mph

I've only got 400 miles of seat time, but these shift speeds seem low. This is my first real muscle car and with previous cars I've used a combination of sound and RPMs to determine when to shift. My perception is to shift in the 2500-3500 RPM range which puts my shift speeds a good bit higher than the recommeded ranges. I don't even think that I've used 6th gear yet!

What do you guys/gals think?
 

Mopar Boy

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I have to say, I have only looked at the tach in mine maybe twice!

I just go by ear and what feels "right".

But do shift before redline, and don't shift until the little "shift now" fuel economy light goes out!:D

Robert
 

GTS Bruce

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Ok. Here is the truth. Shift around 3000 rpm in general or lower or whatever in street driving . On a road course shift above 4000 somewhat but don't bother to run it up. You stay in the TQ range and nothing out there is faster on a straight anyways. Drag strip full RPM and lowest time roadcourse max rpm but have a good oiling system when going rt/lt. USE THE TQ SKYWALKER on the street and road course. GTS BRuce
 

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The Viper Tach is not that accurate first off. I have a seperate tach with data logging and shift lights. I have had the car dynoed and looked hard at the peak HP curve. Thats where I set my shift points. My data log shows that it takes about 4/10 of a second to shift each gears. That's about 1.3 seconds in shift time to 4th gear. The tremec won't **** at that speed. Point A to point B takes about that long.
 

Chuck 98 RT/10

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Ok. Here is the truth. Shift around 3000 rpm in general or lower or whatever in street driving . On a road course shift above 4000 somewhat but don't bother to run it up. You stay in the TQ range and nothing out there is faster on a straight anyways. Drag strip full RPM and lowest time roadcourse max rpm but have a good oiling system when going rt/lt. USE THE TQ SKYWALKER on the street and road course. GTS BRuce

+1

You guys that never use sixth. :rolleyes: Sixth reduces heat and rpm which reduces wear and extends life. It's pretty stupid not to go into sixth when all you're doing is cruising down the road anyway.
 

bvk

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I find that I'm usually still in 3rd gear while crusing on the highway around 70 mph. While in stop and go traffic up to 50 mph, I'm only using 1st and 2nd gear. Should I be concerned about my driving habits?

do you just like the noise all the time or something? 70mph in 3rd on the freeway? do you know how a manual gearbox car operates, or do you warm it up at all before doing 50 in 2nd? you don't *have* to change up or down at a particular RPM all the time, it depends on what you're doing or how you're driving. If you're flogging it or on the racetrack use the RPMs. If you're just driving or keeping up with traffic the car will be just fine at 1500 rpm. sitting on 4000 for no reason on the other hand is just stupid.
 

jdeft1

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I can't imagine shifting into 6 at 50... If I'm cruisin' easy I'll go to 6at 60-65 and get 25-27 mpg..... at 1500rpm. Otherwise, I try to keep it below 5000rpm

BLAAAAAHHHHHHHHHaaaaaaaa
 
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LifeIsGood

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do you just like the noise all the time or something? 70mph in 3rd on the freeway? do you know how a manual gearbox car operates, or do you warm it up at all before doing 50 in 2nd? you don't *have* to change up or down at a particular RPM all the time, it depends on what you're doing or how you're driving. If you're flogging it or on the racetrack use the RPMs. If you're just driving or keeping up with traffic the car will be just fine at 1500 rpm. sitting on 4000 for no reason on the other hand is just stupid.

I'm sorry...I guess that I didn't make it clear that I'm driving a Dodge Viper! :drive:
 

Zentenk

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I shift before 2k RPM in first and 2nd... and I will cruise 25mph streets in 4th and 35-50 in 5th, higher than that is all 6th gear. That is for my every day driving when I am not having fun or racing.

I don't use 3rd because it is broke for now. =D
 

sdaddy

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I shift before 2k RPM in first and 2nd... and I will cruise 25mph streets in 4th and 35-50 in 5th, higher than that is all 6th gear. That is for my every day driving when I am not having fun or racing.

I don't use 3rd because it is broke for now. =D

That is a bad gear to lose as it is all you really need in a Viper. It will take of pretty smoothly from a dead stop in 3rd and also run up to about 120. Torque is an amazing thing!
 

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