hey guys just wondering what do all of you shift your 5.0's at just cruisin around getting from point A to point B not getting on it. it seems when i try to shift low just for a soft cruise the gear doesnt go in as smooth as it can because its not in the best rpm range. so where do you guys shift at?
daily shift points
- Thread starter 5.0fresh
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LiquidGT
Member
Every car is going to be different you have to find out what works best for your combo. I have 2.73s (combo in profile) and I can cruise on the highway at 1500 rpm and pass while in 5th no problem, and I can pull out of 1k rpm bog in third gear easy. Anyway I like to shift under 2500, and keep it at 16-19K rpm just cruising.
That is really kind of an obscure question. Different set-ups will feel different and different drivers will drive differently. I personally don't like to bog the car with low rpm's, so I typically cruise at about 2000-2500 and just shift as per the traffic situation and/or how fast I want to go. Its really left to personal preference and immediate driving conditions. I have a buddy with a very similar setup, and he likes to really lazily shift at low rpm's, sometimes not even using the clutch (rev matching with a worn T-5... surprisingly smooth if done right). I like to rev a little more, but i hardly ever even look at the tach unless I'm going full-tilt, and thats a different story altogether.
cenok is family
15 Year Member
i feel the same way. i don't like to bog the car. i have 4.10's and i shift between 2-2.5k and i try to cruise in between there too. if im trying to pass or get in front of someone, i'll usually hold it out a bit longer, as needed.
LiquidGT
Member
I dont like to bog it either, but if I do some bonehead shifting my engine will come out of a bog no questions asked. To add on I get the best mpg driving around 2k at 40 mph in third, but on the highway I get the best mpg in 5th and it seems to be fine under 2k. Over 2k on the highway my mileage worsens and it feels like I'm high reving in that thing, seems like I need a gear inbetween 4th and 5th, I gotta get rid of those 273s. I'm getting 18-20 mpg so I'm doing something right, you just have to stick with your best rpm range.
cenok is family
15 Year Member
i forget who mentioned it, but about shifting without the clutch.. i just learned how last night.. i won't say it's smooth, but if you can get the right revs, it's a nice firm shift.. i actually enjoyed learning it (i didn't grind into any gears once)... just watch out for 4th though because it's kind of hard to tell what rpm to shift at..
man you guys are nuts.i do 40 miles a day in my 5.0, almost exactly half of which is gridlock, stop and go city driving, and the other half 55-70 mph highway. Ive been doing 20-21 mpg with that mix. Since the exhaust i might wind it out to 2500 every once in a while but for the most part i will stay under 2000 rpm whether im cruising or shifting. especially for the 10 mph crawls through traffic ill take second or third down to almost bucking idle. these engines are really torquey and theres no need to spin em up just to get from a to b. i have 3.08s though. that seems to be a trend. the 3.08 and 2.73 guys who are mostly stock get the best mileage and dont spin em up, and the guys with a mild build and gears like to rev em, and do worse on gas. Im happy, because this is my dd, and it has matched my dads 00 GT in performance and fuel economy!
Mr. Rustypwnz
Advanced Member
I think it depends on syncro wear, the type of fluid you use, and how good you are at it. Either way, he could do it in his car and you'd never know he wasn't clutching it was so smooth. His T-5 had a lot of miles on it. My car will do it sometimes, but 4th will almost always grind. I think it might be because I use slippery synthetic in a fresh T-5.
ill advised
Member
:Word:
I've gotten worse since installing the x-pipe. lol I usually find myself shifting (at minimum) up in the 2,500 range. This car isn't my daily though and I'm not too worried about mileage to begin with.
I just listen to the sound of the motor under normal driving for when to shift.
I kind of do the same when I'm on it too though, while looking at the tach. As soon as I hear a drop off in power, I shift. Usually that is at 5,800-6,000 with my car.
I kind of do the same when I'm on it too though, while looking at the tach. As soon as I hear a drop off in power, I shift. Usually that is at 5,800-6,000 with my car.
strtrcr50
New Member
That reminds me, I need to adjust mine, if I want to get on it I can just manually shift it. My TV cable is WAY worn out.
I shift in the 2-2.5 range with 2.73's. I feel like thats where the power band is and I like being able to scoot when I press on the pedal. If I'm being a model citizen probably like 2000 and cruising at whatever 5th has me at for a given speed which usually means under 2000.
I have a very simple driving style for 99% of the sticks i've drove and it's worked in everything from my 4.10 geared Mustang to my 3.08 geared GT i used to have....shift into 2nd at 20mph, 3rd at 30mph, 4th at 40mph and 5th at *at least* 50mph since most 5th gears are a good step lower than 4th.
MY 85 GT
10 Year Member
I have 2.73 gears 85 GT 5spd ..i shift around 2500-2800 rpms...mostly anything lower then that around town it feels like is bogging/crawling...lol i guess i drive it were it feels most comfortable....3.73's soon to come...
4500 for first gear, 3000-3500 for every other gear after.
If you drove a 4.6L, you would too. It's silky smooth at those RPM's!
If you drove a 4.6L, you would too. It's silky smooth at those RPM's!
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