When gunning the car (MY00) when is the best time in form of RPM is it to changes gears?
I dont want to redline it or change to late to loose performance.

 

change gear when the boost runs out and you feel no pull

 

Peak torque is usually between 4k and 6k, so I usually go no higher than that. By running to redline you will have a second or 2 where the torque is starting to diminish, and also be higher in the range after the gearchange thus reducing the amount of time available at max torque. Also, redlining will do the engine no good at all. A mate of mine followed me a while back and commented that I must be redlining for me to pull away so well from him. A quick passenger ride opened his eyes. BHP helps you off the line, torque is what's needed when you are moving. It's why so many turbo diesels can hang on to a Scooby's a$$ Wouldn't mind a go in a 300lb/ft Fabia for a laugh though

 

thought that torque "gets you there" and BHP "keeps you there"!

 

I change at 3k, unless im ummm in a rush, its a bit more sympathetic to the engine and gearbox like that.

jamo

 

For performance I normally change just at max power, (5200rpm on my old car) as taking it any further the engine will produce less and less power. Then in the next gear you are back on the rising powerband.

For economy I remember reading in evo magazine a while back that changing gear at 2/3rds and briskly accelerating of the cars maximum power to your intended speed will give greater fuel economy. In my normally aspirated motor that meant changing at 3400rpm. I suspect that you boys with the turbo engines will see a bit of a reduction in economy when the turbo kick in thou.

 

Agree with above. Mine redlines at 8,250 rpm, but I never go over 7.000 rpm. As soon as I change, I'm back around 4,500 rpm, right at the max torque, as proved by the rolling road results.

 

 

9000+rpm for me, when the red light flashes a couple of times