Optimal Shift Point - '97 GT

[ridethepony]

Hey guys. I have a stock 97 GT that I drag every so often, and in order to get the best pull, I need to know its optimal shift point. I usually just wait until redline to shift, but I read somewhere that the best point to shift for RWD cars is a little bit after redline. I'm kind of afraid to try, after all the clutch is more than 10 years old, and I don't know if it could handle being shoved into a flywheel going in excess of 5K rmp's. Also with the age of the clutch in mind, what would be the best way to launch? Every time I race its been from a roll, but from a dead stop, what should I do? Neutral drop = bad for an old clutch, I know, so what's best? Thank you!!!

 

[Black97GT]

No! bad!

Well I am going to go ahead and assume you are stock which means you are NPI. If that is the case you should be shifting no later than 5500rpms. Your motor falls on its face at anything after that and doesn't make any power. You red line at 6k rpms btw.

 

[xsoutherngun89x]

+1

for launch the best thing to do is slip the clutch, BUT i would not advise you to do it with a stock 10yo clutch. I would be dragin with a stock worn clutch anyways, lmao. mike is right, if you mostly stock shift at 5500 RPMs for the best times

 

[ridethepony]

Yeah I meant to put 6K rpm not 5 :hammer:

 

[McCloud]

I would just go to the track and try different shift points to see what works for you. Youre not going to need to wait until redline.