LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Optimal shift points

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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 11:08 AM
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Default Optimal shift points

Where should the shift points be on a 94 A-4 LT1 with 3.23 gear ratio? The car only has free mods and a cai.

Right now the 1-2 shift is happening around 5500. The 2-3 shift is not happening until 6500. These readings are with the factory tach. The car pulls through the 1-2 shift just fine, but it feels like the engine has ran completely out of it's power band before the 2-3 shift and never really recovers before the end of the track.

The person that I bought the car from had the hypertech tuner, he is supposed to be sending it to me, so I can make the needed corrections.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 11:39 AM
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With only CAI and free mods, I would set all gear shifts to about 6000. Also set the rev limiter a little higher than the shift points so it doesnt interfer with each other.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 11:43 AM
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shifts at 6500? I wouldn't be spinning a completely stock motor that high.

I would say set redline at 6000 or just a little past that, and then shift right before that. I wouldn't go much past 6000-6100 on the stock valvetrain.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by infinitebird
shifts at 6500? I wouldn't go much past 6000-6100 on the stock valvetrain.
Or bottom end for that matter. 6000 RPMs is enough.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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From www.speedengineeringanddyno.com

Who wants to shift at the power peak? You have to go past it for the best ET.

It's all about area under the curve. More RPM = more area.

6250 is simply not a problem even on a stock LT1.

The revlimiter is like a safety net. Not something you use daily. Just there to catch the revs if you miss a shift or spin past your shift point.

Look at the dyno curves and tell me which one you think is more complete.

I have turned bone stock LT1's to 6800 rpm without issues. I don't recommend it and the stock valvesprings won't last if you do it on a regular basis, but the fact is it can be done.

Air Fuel ratio is at 13.2

Who does dyno tuning for $50/hr??? No one!... Well, maybe the guy that got THREE hp. LOL
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 02:24 PM
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The near stock LT1 produces no power at 6000 RPM and at 6500, you got to be kidding.

I dont have an A4, but on my M6 I shift into 2nd at 5900 and the the rest of the gears at 5750-5800 RPM's. This gives the best overall performance.

Best overall shift point is slightly past maximum HP, some say 10% past or so.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 02:56 PM
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Thanks for the input. Most of the posts seem to confirm my suspicions.

It is really obvious driving the car, that it is struggling for the last few hundred rpm's.

I just got a call from the guy that is sending the hypertech, so I should be able to hit the track next week and do some fine tuning. Hopefully, by keeping it in the power range I will pick up a couple of mph.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 05:12 PM
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I had my best runs shifting around 6500 on stock valvetrain, and that was at 100,000 miles.
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