Powershifting
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
Powershifting
Okay, so Ted posted a nice description of powershifting the other day:
So anyway, I've been practicing while driving to and from work (and to and from pretty much everywhere else). I do them at WOT, but nowhere near redline, just to be safe. I think the highest RPM I've tried was about 4500.
I am getting pretty good at powershifting 3-4, with maybe 300rpm rise between shifts. Very pleased with the results here.
I've gotten the 1-2 shift a couple times, but with 1000+rpm rise. The 2-3 shift has dominated me completely -- I can't get it at all.
Any tips?
Originally Posted by tnthub
powershift is generally simply a very quick and shallow stab of the clutch pedal just barely enough to release it. While you are doing this the right leg stays jammed to the floor the entire time. The actual shift must be extremely fast and accurate. The goal is to have no more than a 200rpm rise while making the actual shift.
I would usually shift at 5800 and finish at 6000. Any more than that and I would lose ET based on the mods to my car at the time.
The 1-2 shift is generally considered the easiest and the 2-3 shift is generally considered the hardest. I would recommend practicing at 5200-5400 at first to avoid hitting the rev limiter.
It takes a lot of practice. If you don't think you can complete the shift, always back off rather than trying to jam it and possibly hurting something. It is always better to make the shift, even if it is a bit slower, than to miss it entirely.
Powershifting consistently and well is a lost art form. Almost everybody I have communicated with seems to think they can powershift. The truth of the matter is, in my experience, that very few people can actually powershift well enough and consistently enough, to win races and go multiple rounds in competition, and actually be a viable competitor on a day to day basis.
I would usually shift at 5800 and finish at 6000. Any more than that and I would lose ET based on the mods to my car at the time.
The 1-2 shift is generally considered the easiest and the 2-3 shift is generally considered the hardest. I would recommend practicing at 5200-5400 at first to avoid hitting the rev limiter.
It takes a lot of practice. If you don't think you can complete the shift, always back off rather than trying to jam it and possibly hurting something. It is always better to make the shift, even if it is a bit slower, than to miss it entirely.
Powershifting consistently and well is a lost art form. Almost everybody I have communicated with seems to think they can powershift. The truth of the matter is, in my experience, that very few people can actually powershift well enough and consistently enough, to win races and go multiple rounds in competition, and actually be a viable competitor on a day to day basis.
I am getting pretty good at powershifting 3-4, with maybe 300rpm rise between shifts. Very pleased with the results here.
I've gotten the 1-2 shift a couple times, but with 1000+rpm rise. The 2-3 shift has dominated me completely -- I can't get it at all.
Any tips?
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,705
Re: Powershifting
trying to keep the nose of the car up while shifting is what i work on. It hasn't been easy. I try to put some pressure or pre-load the shifter before i rip it down to 2nd or up to 3rd. It mentally messes with me sometimes though. Getting past holding the gas down through shifts took some time also, another mental problem. I have had my car for 5yrs and still can only drive so, so. Well its a long road. If anyone else has some good powershifting info please post it, I would love to read more.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,664
From: Brunswick, Maine 04011
Re: Powershifting
Practice, practice, practice. If it were easy we would all be doing it.
You do want to have your seat and body position consistent each time. Where you have your arm and your position is critical to being able to be consistent. The more variables you can remove from the action the more efficient you will become.
You do want to have your seat and body position consistent each time. Where you have your arm and your position is critical to being able to be consistent. The more variables you can remove from the action the more efficient you will become.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 977
From: ..behind you with a butter knife
Re: Powershifting
fine...
on the 1-2 shift back off the throttle just a hair..I do it to about 95% on the scanmaster...toe the clutch to get it to let go then pop it into 2nd
do the same on the 2-3 shift but do it with an open palm with a smooth push up...the open palm will keep you of the gate being that you can push it left or righ tand the return springs in the shift base SHOULD be stong enough to move the shifter for left to right..putting you right into 3rd...
on the 3rd to 4th I just keep it mashed and yank that bitch into 4th....no rpm jump ...just a nice smooth clutchless 3-4 shift
on the 1-2 shift back off the throttle just a hair..I do it to about 95% on the scanmaster...toe the clutch to get it to let go then pop it into 2nd
do the same on the 2-3 shift but do it with an open palm with a smooth push up...the open palm will keep you of the gate being that you can push it left or righ tand the return springs in the shift base SHOULD be stong enough to move the shifter for left to right..putting you right into 3rd...
on the 3rd to 4th I just keep it mashed and yank that bitch into 4th....no rpm jump ...just a nice smooth clutchless 3-4 shift
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
Re: Powershifting
Originally Posted by tnthub
Practice, practice, practice. If it were easy we would all be doing it.
Just wanted to find out if I was doing something wrong. I guess I'll keep trying. I'm going to need a new clutch soon.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,668
From: Cliffside Park, NJ
Re: Powershifting
Originally Posted by Sparkz28ss
fine...
on the 1-2 shift back off the throttle just a hair..I do it to about 95% on the scanmaster...toe the clutch to get it to let go then pop it into 2nd
do the same on the 2-3 shift but do it with an open palm with a smooth push up...the open palm will keep you of the gate being that you can push it left or righ tand the return springs in the shift base SHOULD be stong enough to move the shifter for left to right..putting you right into 3rd...
on the 3rd to 4th I just keep it mashed and yank that bitch into 4th....no rpm jump ...just a nice smooth clutchless 3-4 shift
on the 1-2 shift back off the throttle just a hair..I do it to about 95% on the scanmaster...toe the clutch to get it to let go then pop it into 2nd
do the same on the 2-3 shift but do it with an open palm with a smooth push up...the open palm will keep you of the gate being that you can push it left or righ tand the return springs in the shift base SHOULD be stong enough to move the shifter for left to right..putting you right into 3rd...
on the 3rd to 4th I just keep it mashed and yank that bitch into 4th....no rpm jump ...just a nice smooth clutchless 3-4 shift
Registered User
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 3,252
From: Knoxville, TN
Re: Powershifting
Originally Posted by tnthub
powershift is generally simply a very quick and shallow stab of the clutch pedal just barely enough to release it. While you are doing this the right leg stays jammed to the floor the entire time. The actual shift must be extremely fast and accurate. The goal is to have no more than a 200rpm rise while making the actual shift.
I would usually shift at 5800 and finish at 6000. Any more than that and I would lose ET based on the mods to my car at the time.
The 1-2 shift is generally considered the easiest and the 2-3 shift is generally considered the hardest. I would recommend practicing at 5200-5400 at first to avoid hitting the rev limiter.
It takes a lot of practice. If you don't think you can complete the shift, always back off rather than trying to jam it and possibly hurting something. It is always better to make the shift, even if it is a bit slower, than to miss it entirely.
Powershifting consistently and well is a lost art form. Almost everybody I have communicated with seems to think they can powershift. The truth of the matter is, in my experience, that very few people can actually powershift well enough and consistently enough, to win races and go multiple rounds in competition, and actually be a viable competitor on a day to day basis.
powershift is generally simply a very quick and shallow stab of the clutch pedal just barely enough to release it. While you are doing this the right leg stays jammed to the floor the entire time. The actual shift must be extremely fast and accurate. The goal is to have no more than a 200rpm rise while making the actual shift.
I would usually shift at 5800 and finish at 6000. Any more than that and I would lose ET based on the mods to my car at the time.
The 1-2 shift is generally considered the easiest and the 2-3 shift is generally considered the hardest. I would recommend practicing at 5200-5400 at first to avoid hitting the rev limiter.
It takes a lot of practice. If you don't think you can complete the shift, always back off rather than trying to jam it and possibly hurting something. It is always better to make the shift, even if it is a bit slower, than to miss it entirely.
Powershifting consistently and well is a lost art form. Almost everybody I have communicated with seems to think they can powershift. The truth of the matter is, in my experience, that very few people can actually powershift well enough and consistently enough, to win races and go multiple rounds in competition, and actually be a viable competitor on a day to day basis.
FWIW...with a stock-style tranny (T5, T45, T56, TKO) I always use the clutch - even on the 3/4. Sounds like this. Another.
That said, be advised: You will break the tranny or clutch powershifting. Maybe sooner, maybe later, but you will break it. That's all part of racing, and if you're scared of breaking, you won't run the number.
Good luck.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,557
From: Carol Stream, Il.
Re: Powershifting
Bob, after a quick peak of the videos I'd like to say "Nice Car" and yes you do know how to shift. As was mentioned before, just about anyone with a stick thinks their pretty good at it but very few really are.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
Re: Powershifting
Bob, thanks for the input, and for the evidence that you do indeed know what you're doing.
I'm loving that second video.
Someone find that announcer and tell him that Neons aren't imports.
I'm loving that second video.
Someone find that announcer and tell him that Neons aren't imports.
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