No. Run to about red line. This subject has been discussed in more detail in the racing forum. If torque is falling, the Z is still able to accelerate, but not with the same velocity (velocity as opposed to speed). Max RPM is important, but as important is “where” you come into the next gear. I like to “catch” the next gear at no less than 4,000 RPM.

 

Are you kidding? That is not about it for acceleration, because your forgetting your HP is still climbing. Your above staement is completely false. If you believe it to be true, run down the 1/4 mile shifting at 4800rpm's and come back and tell me what you run.....

 

Oh ok...Thanks guys. I just thought that maybe after a certain RPM, it's useless to keep going and the car should be shifted. I was wrong. I tested it last night. Gave me a lot of push for the next gear, so redlining is the best way to go. I should've researched more into torque and horsepower before posting this question. Thanks for your help guys and the non-flaming, which I could've received.

 

i think 3rd gear has the most usable power.....but 1st and 2nd, you burn em up!

 

Does shifting fast through the gears eat up the synchros?
hehe gotta preserve the synchros lol

 

Thats funny stuff man. That's so far from the truth it hurts. In the Z, even when the hp and torque both start to drop that doesn't mean that's the end of acceleration by any means! You're forgetting the fact the engine is still producing plenty of power! Just because it's not the peak doesn't mean anything. You want every single revolution out of the engine that it can muster for each gear. Yes, that means redlining each gear.

It can be a bit tricky for new drivers to shift perfectly in the Z because it accelerates hard all the way through each gear, right up to red-line. Shift too soon and you're wasting a precious lower gear and you also start the next gear at lower rpms... which means less power and speed for a taller gear. Shift too late and you bump the rev-limiter and lose precious momentum... shifting too soon is much worse than hitting the rev-limiter, but neither are good. You have to be quick and precise to go through the gears perfectly....

The hardest gear for most people is first.. Most people floor it and wonder why they don't move. Getting a good launch is practically as easy as taking off like you normally would. It's getting through the gear that most people have problems with. You have to get into the throttle as traction allows. You want to stay as close to 100% traction as possible without going over. You want to leave first gear strong, instead of the tires spinning.

 

I live in Fallston and work in Baltimore...I can't wait to head to Cecil County in the spring. I want to see the numbers I can put down with UTEC NA. Last dyno was 265whp/249 max torque on 93 octane.

 

I ran my 13.1's @ Cecil. Me and you should race it should be close. I put down 262hp, 252ft/lbs....we should all meet up at Cecil when it reopens. Its a quick track....

 

You assume that I'm a good track driver...I'm not sure yet as I haven't done any 1/4 mile runs.

I'm getting new rims and tires this winter, so the extra rubber should help.

But as they say, practice makes perfect

 

I'd love to run 13.1 or .2.

 

^^ I gave you the benefit of the doubt. If your not a day with felllow Z owners will have you running mid 13's

 

I'm reading your track post. I could learn a lot from you.

Where did you get your drag radials?

 

They are street legal slicks. Bought them used off of a forum member. You can buy them online....and yeah I can def help you out with launching, and with learning how to shift faster. I have helped many Z owners shave tenths off their 1/4 mile times just with shifting advice. Let me know when you plan on going.

 

if you go...PM me...I'll definitely meet up w/ you...

I feel as though I'm a good driver. This will be the next test.

 

dumb question, did you tow your Z or drive it there on slicks?

 

I drive on street tires, and have a buddy come up with a jack and my slicks. I could drive up on them, but Im about 45min to 1 hour from Cecil and driving on slicks is like driving on a flat. Very uneasy and wobbly. When I go to Capitol raceway I mount the slicks up at work and drive 15-20 minutes up on them.

 

make sure you PM or post the next time you plan to go...

 

Sure thing, I usually announce when Im going in the Mid-Atlantic section of the boards...

 

Sounds good...I'm definitely down...

 

Hey, I would like some pointers on launching and faster shifting. I'm out there practicing everyday. Although I know I'm missing something because I just don't feel fast enough when I'm going into my shifts. That goes for launching as well. I think I make to much of a pause between shifts. But I try to keep the shifts as smooth as possible.