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Re: shift points

To: jello@dns.ida.net
Subject: Re: shift points
From: "Thomas James Pokrefke" <pokrefke@ocean.st.usm.edu>
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 00:18:31 -0600 (CST)
I used the same formula to calculate shift points for my MGB.  Save 
yourself the time:

  1st->2nd   4800rpm
  2nd->3rd   4700
  3rd->4th   4100

Thomas James Pokrefke
1970 MGB
pokrefke@ocean.st.usm.edu
http://ocean.st.usm.edu/~pokrefke

> 
> Someone asked for the shift points.  I assume that you want them for optimum 
> acceleration.  I have looked up some information - it is available in the 
> July 1988 issue of Road and Track, and the October 1993 issue of road and 
> track.  Basically, it says:
> <snip>
> a car will accelerate most quickly if each shift drops the revs back to the 
> torque peak, regardless of where the horsepower peak may be.  Often, this 
> means going all the way to redline - and still the revs may be too low in 
> the next gear.
> <snip>
> For example, the '85 Toyota MR2 (sorry for the non british example) has a 
> redline at 7700rpm, peak horsepower at 6600 rpm, and peak torque at 4800 
> rpm.  First and second gear ratios are 3.17 and 1.90. So to shift from 1 to 
> two and get the maximum acceleration:
> 
>                  3.17
>                 ------ x 4800rpm = 8000rpm
>                  1.90
> 
> but you really shouldn't exceed redline, so shift at 7700.  The third gear 
> ratio is 1.31, so for the 2 to 3 shift:
> 
>                  1.90
>                 ------ x 4800rpm = 6960rpm
>                  1.31
> 
> <snip>
> They also mention that things get kind of screwy when you have a very flat 
> torque curve.  As (the example they have) when you have a turbocharged car 
> such as a Saab turbo.  For this car, the shift points are at 1 to 2 at 
> 3745rpm and  2 to 3 at 2908rpm, as the peak torque occurs at 1950rpm.  With 
> the flat torque curve, the shift point is definitely less important.
> Phil Bates
> 58 MGA
> 67 MGB
> 75 Jaguar XJ12C
> 52 MG TD replicar (VW)
> 


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