Does anyone know what the shift point in the S/C is?

I suspect there is an optimal rate of RPM at which gears should be changed so as to max out acceleration but have no clue what it is. I don't run the engine hard and keep the RPM under 3500-4000 but once I install my shift light I nned to know what I should set it to.

Also, I noticed from the few videos people posted of their S/C, it sounds like people shift from first gear moments after bouncing off the rev limiter. Why?? Apart from the fact that you look stupid not knowing the proper shift point in your car aren't you evenually going to do some damage? I will say that you hit 6K RPM in first so fast I guess it's easy to go to far - hence the shift light!

Finally, I am planning on putting in the stage 2 kit. I guess the shift point will change. What would they be then? I wish GM could supply those - I suspect shift points is an exact science.....rather than us guess or use the seat of our pants/sense of sound to determine when to shift when driving hard.

Thanks in advance for any help!


ADDENDUM: Does the reflash for the Stgae1/2 kit change the point at which the rev limiter kicks in?

 

some damged?...its a limiter for a reason. it happens to most, what do u expect with an extremely short first gear.

the limit is raised 500rpm with the stage kit.

shift points is a science, but it is also a feel. look at a dyno. shift just after peak power and see where the next gear is going to be at rpm, if its out of the band by 200 rpm, make a little change.

shift light will kick it before you know it with tires spinning, so you shift to second and you bog out. sometimes you have to get to wait for the car hook while feathering the gas, in that time most will hit the limiter, as will you

 

Yep, first gear is hella short on these cars. STG 2 kicks it out to 7000 and makes 1st a little more managable.

 

you know i dont even know when i shift in first i think its somewere around 5000 rpms or when ever i feel like it. just as long as i dont bounce off the rev limiter i count it a good shift in most cases:-d

 

dude... first gear is short, we have comvered this, but then again, cant you just make up for that by shifting when first is over instead of arguing with the car and trying to make an inatimate object see things your way, first is short so shift sooner. im done

 

That was great do you mind if i put that in my sig

 

I have always been taught to shift at 500rmps after peak hp.

Oh and that revlimiter is there for a reason. If you are hitting it you aren't hurting anything. It's all part of the learning process.

 

Perhaps I am just ultra sensitive to this now because I just blew a 2.4L Quad 4 engine in a Z24.

Grant it the engine had 210,000Km on it - but I remember the valve went when I was at about 5,500RPM in 4th.

Now I have to find a new engine.

But that still leaves me wondering what people use as shift points in their Cobalts with the Stage 2 kit in. I suspect it's not redline but rather ~500RPM less.

Thx

 

Sweet, I was unaware the stage 2 makes it 7000, thats awesome, thanks for info!

 

I have my shift light set to 6525. Its all about the driver and how they drive there car. I have stage 2 and in first I don't hit the limiter but in 2nd I have to remember to wait a little longer to get the most out of it. The SS/SC makes power all the way to redline.

 

Well my Ecotec is turbocharged, but the Intense Racing programmed my boost/fuel cut at 7200rpm... I usually shift around 6600 though so i wont blow **** up....lol

 

you've got to be kidding me... 5,000rpm or less? ur just starting to hit some serious power at 5,000rpm

redline that sucker. you're building power to redline. just dont bounce off the limiter. as for having a stage 2 kit, i cant say i have any experience.

.... do you even drive an ss/sc? .... cuz dont take my word for it, go drive it.

 

i shift at redline, why would you shift sooner??

(in this car at least) considering we make power all the way to redline

 

its called redline for a reason, red means stop.. IE accelerating, and shift. The rev limit is there for a reason, so u dont break ****. Just run that puppy to 6200 and shift. <---not everytime you drive it, but when your racing run that RPM out as far as you can take it

 

Stock set it as close to 6500 as you can without hitting the limiter. I agree, the limiter is not fool proof. Cutting fuel at such a high RPM, may not always go exactly as planned.

Stage 2, I would set it somewhere in the 6700-6800 RPM range. Remember, it takes a good 100-200 RPM to notice the light and actually shift, so just play around with it when you get there. Also, do a dyno and try to find at what RPM the hp maxes out at, then shift 200 RPM or so after that.

 

thats what i meant aswell, but he is asking what is the most efficient rpm to shift at based on the torque curve.

u wont hurt anything if you are shifting right at redline. that is ideal. just stay off the limiter (aka shifting at 6,200 or whatever number you are comfortable with)

 

if you dont tap the rev limiter occasionally, you arent trying hard enough

 

Indeed, that is all the advise you need right there.

 

yes, i would be honored, just make sure people know it wrote it, i want to be known for my quick wit and flawless style

 

With stage 2 if I am running hard i usually try and shift as close to redline as possible. With the Stage 2 kit you continue to build power ALL the way to the redline, so the closer to 7000 you shift, the better.

However, you should get out of first as quick as possible. The SS/SC has boost diasabled in first gear, so you lose alot of umph if you drag first out. Shifting out of first at about 5000 RPM should put you in a good spot (about 3500-3800 RPM) in second to take off like a rocket.

If you don't have stage 2, you have to take first higher (around 5500 RPM) as you don't start to boost hard till a little higher in the RPM range in second with the larger pulley.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I am going to set it at 5100 and go from there.

I would rather be safe than sorry. In spite of all the faith some people have in the capabilities and longevity of our engine, it's still only a 2.0L. It can only take so much stress before something fails. That's not to say I won't take it near redline from time to time but I certainly don't plan to make a habit of it.

Nevertheless, I am still breaking in the engine and only have 500Kms on it so redlines are not going to be happening anytime soon!

Thanks again for all the help!

03gobluecobra I noticed you have the Cobalt and a Cobra... Those are the 2 cars I am hoping to end up with by next summer. 1 down 1 to go. Problem is getting the Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500. I have a feeling getting one up in Canada is going to be next to impossible..!

 

Really? My thinking was that since 1st is so short, by the time you actually get any boost to develop its time to shift to 2nd. I must say that 2nd is my favorite gear in the car. I certainly made proper use of it last night after going through some toll plazas

When I'm driving normally I'm shifting at 3k to try to maxmize my MPG, but when I give her a hard run I'm going right to redline. Its just personal preference and comfort IMO.