Shift Points?

Author Topic: Shift Points?  (Read 3470 times)

Offline Carlwalski

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Shift Points?
« on: September 25, 2004 - 06:59:11 AM »


I asked this question on another board and wanted to ask you lads too.


My tacho like most of yours goes to 8,000rpm.


I want to know what rpm I can take my 440/727 up to? 6,000? I was told "my engine makes it's best power at 4,600rpm so don't shift any higher than that because all your doing is wasting your engine and gas!"
Then someone else told me to shift about 5,000rpm.

What is a good shift point, thats safe on the engine?


I have never had my car above 5,000rpm because I only had the car for about a month maximum before it wenbt into restoration.


If it was me and I had no one to ask I'd probably red line every shift 7,500rpm!!  8) :-[ :P BOOOM!!!  :'(

These shifts are from the line 1st-2nd & 2nd - 3rd at full throttle.


So what do you guys shift at?


Thanks,
Carl  ;)
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60




Offline GoMango

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2004 - 10:27:37 AM »
What cam are you running? That will help decide. I've shifted most of my big blocks around 5500. My 440 has a 292/509 cam, stock bottom end, TRW forged pistons and it can rev farther than that but it does not run a bit faster revving past 5500.

My 383 has a 284/484 cam in it and about 5200-5500 seems to be a good shift point for it (stock bottom end with Keith Black pistons)
70 Challenger R/T
(Back on the road--1st time since '96)

Offline 1972-340challenger

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2004 - 02:15:41 PM »
i would like to ask the same questions but for a 340. i have cam but its not that radical.

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2004 - 09:19:00 PM »


My cam is stock, my whole engine is a stock 1970 440ci hp 375hp - 480lbs-ft engine with 1-7/8" - 2 TTI Headers and 2-1/2" TTI exhaust with Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers and 2-1/2" exhuast tips. A viscus fan package to cool things down


Those are my only "mods" estimated hp 400hp.  8)



Cheers,
NZ
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2004 - 04:13:19 AM »
my guess is the engine will not increase power out put above 5000 rpm with a stock cam etc , a pull on a wheel dyno will tell you exactly what RPM is peak for power & torque output

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2004 - 04:47:50 AM »


Good idea. Until I do that I think I'll shift just before 5,00rpm.


Once my Challenger is finally back on the road I'll have to get you input on cam selection and maybe a few other "minor" mods. 450hp would be a nice total. Do you think 450hp is a comfortable street ammount? There will be no strip driving just street crusing and stop ligh to stop light type action.  ;D


Thanks,
Carl

ps: What else would I need with a new cam?

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

lemonboy69

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2004 - 04:51:55 AM »

Pushrods, lifters, bearings, and the cam of course!! :P

LB

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2004 - 05:43:43 AM »


True, I will definitely leave that stuff untill after the resto. I'm sure I'l love that 440ci with or without aftermarket add-ons.  8)



1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline torredcuda

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2004 - 06:44:21 AM »
A 440 with a stock bottom end should be fine to 5,000-5,500.A 340 with stock bottom end is good to 6,000-6,500 with stock valvetrain limiting that some.I run my 340 to 6,800 and it`s still pulling but I have a steel crank,stock rods but all balanced,.508 cam with adjustable rockers and ported heads.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline cuda

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2004 - 09:52:32 AM »
My 340 with .510 lift crane cam and speed pro pistons was put on the dyno and stopped making power at 5200. Hope that helps. Topped out at 388 H.P. at the fly wheel  :)

Offline torredcuda

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2004 - 06:49:24 PM »
Keep in mind the RPM drop for the next gear also.You may make peak power at 5200 but you are still making power past that point.Too much RPM drop between gears and you are going slower,`course as always,depends on cam,gears and the rest of the combo.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2004 - 12:31:08 AM »


So I should probably shift a little higher so the next gear gets a good run on? Maybe 5,500rpm will be fine.


I guess the only true way is to drive it and find out for myself, I was just curious. My car won't be ready until next year.  :-[ ;D


Thanks Lads for the input.  ;)

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Plum6Pak

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2004 - 06:26:01 AM »
 :D You are no different than the rest of us NZ, thinking about all the different stuff way ahead of where you are at with your resto. Gotta be prepared, right? I sit and think of when I fire it up the first time, do I want the mufflers on? Should I hook them up so I can hear the engine better? It would be so awesome with just the headers, weird stuff that doesn't even matter right now cause I am so far away from doing that but it is one of the things that keeps us all going. I think about when I pull it out the first time under it's own power and it is a real motivator! As far as the shifting goes, I think you are in the ball park already with the 5200-5500 rpm range. Mine was dyno'd at peak power and torque at 5500, but mine is a stroker and maybe peaks the torque and hp a little lower rpm than your stock HP. Anyway, just some more input you probably don't really need from me!  :P

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2004 - 12:23:09 PM »
if the engine is being rebuilt now , you will have new cam brgs installled anyway , no need to replace them agian with a new cam

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Shift Points?
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2004 - 02:43:13 PM »
if the engine is being rebuilt now , you will have new cam brgs installled anyway , no need to replace them agian with a new cam

Yip, thats a good point CP. I just don't know exactly what has been installed until I pay the bill.  :-[ :P ;D


1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60