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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Launch and Shift

  • Thread starter Thread starter rayvinton
  • Start date Start date Jan 1, 2008

rayvinton

New Member
Nov 7, 2007
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Jan 1, 2008
#1
  • Jan 1, 2008
  • #1
going racing this weekend and wanted to know what to launch at with slicks and when to shift (03 gt with minor bolt ons) thanks
 

blue46gt00

Member
Mar 30, 2005
83
0
6
Jan 2, 2008
#2
  • Jan 2, 2008
  • #2
Depends if you have a built rearend or not. If you do and you have the torque boxes welded and the axel tubes and atleast 31 spline axels then I say put your foot to the floor and let out the clutch. Guess I better ask if its a manual or automatic first? But if you don't have those modes I would launch soft and then roll into the throttle.
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Jan 2, 2008
#3
  • Jan 2, 2008
  • #3
personally I wouldn't run slicks with a stock rearend...go with dr's
 

rayvinton

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Nov 7, 2007
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Jan 3, 2008
#4
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #4
yes its a manual its got a 3.55 rearend and 31 spline axles i have asked around and have been told to launch around 4000 and shift at 5500 does this sound about right?
 

2000fordstanggt

Member
Sep 6, 2005
404
1
16
Westland, MI
Jan 3, 2008
#5
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #5
rayvinton said:
yes its a manual its got a 3.55 rearend and 31 spline axles i have asked around and have been told to launch around 4000 and shift at 5500 does this sound about right?
Click to expand...

i would shift around 6k. i was just playing with my xc2 and remember the default rev-limiter is set at 6400 rpm.
 

myponyrocks

I have more billet on the Stang than most women ha
Apr 18, 2004
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37
Jan 3, 2008
#6
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #6
2000fordstanggt said:
i would shift around 6k. i was just playing with my xc2 and remember the default rev-limiter is set at 6400 rpm.
Click to expand...

Yes, BUT!

On bolt on Stangs the shift point for the best times at the track is 5200-5500 rpm.

Cammed stangs can go a bit higher, but I think blown Stangs shift the same as us N/A guys?
 

2000fordstanggt

Member
Sep 6, 2005
404
1
16
Westland, MI
Jan 3, 2008
#7
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #7
myponyrocks said:
Yes, BUT!

On bolt on Stangs the shift point for the best times at the track is 5200-5500 rpm.

Cammed stangs can go a bit higher, but I think blown Stangs shift the same as us N/A guys?
Click to expand...

i stand corrected, i assume thats the end of the powerband?
 

myponyrocks

I have more billet on the Stang than most women ha
Apr 18, 2004
1,219
0
37
Jan 3, 2008
#8
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #8
2000fordstanggt said:
i stand corrected, i assume thats the end of the powerband?
Click to expand...

Pretty much... I'm sure some one will correct me if I'm wrong.

I personally shift at 5200 when I can, but I haven't perfected powershifting yet so it's between 4500 and 5500

On Street tires I launch at about 2500-3000 rpm so I'd guess 4k and up is the sweet spot on D/Rs, slicks I would assume near 5k with a properly built rear.
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Jan 3, 2008
#9
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #9
With my centrifugal supercharger I don't get into the top of my power band until about 5800..thats when i shift if i'm really dogging it

take a look at my dyno sheet

 
R

RoadconeTuning

New Member
Apr 4, 2006
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Upstate, SC
Jan 3, 2008
#10
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #10
i shifted my car at 5600 with stock manifolds... any higher and it went slower, any lower and it went slower...


default rev limiter is 6050rpm for all who care...

i shift out of 1st at 6k rpm since i have 4.10's and longtubes and that 1-2 gear split is HUUUUUGGGGGEEEE
 

myponyrocks

I have more billet on the Stang than most women ha
Apr 18, 2004
1,219
0
37
Jan 3, 2008
#11
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #11
deftsound said:
take a look at my dyno sheet
Click to expand...

Looking at your Dyno sheet I'd shift at 5300

It's where the HP plateaus not the TQ right? (I know it's not where HP/TQ intersect... not that dense since it's the same for every one)
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
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0
Carmel, INdiana
Jan 3, 2008
#12
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #12
myponyrocks said:
Looking at your Dyno sheet I'd shift at 5300

It's where the HP plateaus not the TQ right? (I know it's not where HP/TQ intersect... not that dense since it's the same for every one)
Click to expand...

No. You want it so when you shift you're back into the optimum power band after the RPM's drop. Depending on transmission/gearing the best shift points can be anywhere between 5600 and 6000rpm in these cars.
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Jan 3, 2008
#13
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #13
BennyBlown2v said:
No. You want it so when you shift you're back into the optimum power band after the RPM's drop. Depending on transmission/gearing the best shift points can be anywhere between 5600 and 6000rpm in these cars.
Click to expand...

Give me some insight after seeing my dyno numbers, where would you shift on my car? Lately I have been shifting at 6k...I'm starting to question the logic of that though....

Keep in mind I have 3.73 gears, when i dynoed it was with stock gears, not sure if that matters or not...
 
M

mineralgraygt

Member
Jan 4, 2006
187
0
16
nj
Jan 3, 2008
#14
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #14
i launch at dump at 5k on slicks with a built rear. and shift at 6k
 
R

roundboy

Member
Jun 9, 2005
30
0
6
houston
Jan 3, 2008
#15
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #15
I launch at 4000-4500 rpm and shift at 6300 rpm with my new heads and cams.. when the car was bolt on i shifted at 6000 rpm
 

rayvinton

New Member
Nov 7, 2007
59
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Jan 3, 2008
#16
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #16
i was talking to my friend from tallahassee, he's got an 02 with bolt ons and he had said that when he changed shifting points from 6 to 5500 he picked up 3 tenths and he had said that launching at 4 to 4200 is fine on Slicks.
 
9

97speedster

New Member
Jan 16, 2007
134
1
0
stanwood,wa
Jan 3, 2008
#17
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #17
I personally just listen to the motor and shift when I hear and feel it reach its powerband topend. Very rarely do I even look at my tach going down the track, mainly just at the light and that is just to get my hold RPM for the launch. Last year I ran all stock rearend and launched at about 3200 to keep it safe.
 

1low03gt

20+ Year Stangneter
May 24, 2004
708
11
38
Cold Hell,Ontario,Canada!!
Jan 4, 2008
#18
  • Jan 4, 2008
  • #18
I myself launch about 4000 rpm,and shift at 6200 rpm,but my GT is cammed,and have run my best times this way (13.1's @ 106/107mph).When my GT was stock cammed,with only exhaust,and tune,i still launched at 4000 rpm,and shifted 6000 rpm,and ran my best times that way.(13.4's @! 104/105mph)But the rpm launch will also determine on the track condition,so i would play around with your launches until you find the best rpm launch with traction.Every driver,and every car is different,so i would play around to see what you,and your stang like.
And also the track i run doesn't have the greatest traction either as they only seem to glue the track on special event days!!!!
All runs are with the M/T "Street Radial" drag radial tires,and 4.10's,plus with the Eibach "sportline" springs which do not help in drag racing at all,actually makes it more difficult as you get very little weight transfer.
 

sicK96GT

New Member
Oct 30, 2006
63
0
0
Austin (College in Waco)
Jan 4, 2008
#19
  • Jan 4, 2008
  • #19
I dont launch

I roll onto the gas, if I dont... im spinning tires till about 3rd

If I was using DR or slicks I would drop it at 4 grand with this rear end.
 

Winters98GT

Whoop...whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop...GANGNAM STYLE!!!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,520
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224
H Town
Jan 4, 2008
#20
  • Jan 4, 2008
  • #20
with pi heads, 5800-6000k is where you should be shifting.
 
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