What Rpms to shift at while drag racing?

[mustang88]

im planning on going drag racing with car at esta dragstrip in cicero ny next spring and am wondering where the good shift points for each gear is and what rpm to launch at? or any other tips?

dont know if it matters what i have or not to make the shift different or not but heres what i have.

1988 black mustang gt
5.0 ho 5 spd
mass air conversion
Ported Gt-40P heads (going to be installed during winter)
Ported gt-40 explorer intakes (going to be installed during winter)
Hooker headers
h pipe
flowmasters
hurst short throw shifter
king cobra clutch kit (installed during winter)
accell coil

thats what its going to be, im hoping it will be quick. anyone know if its good fordrag racing?

 

[aleborjas]

what cam and tires?

 

[5spd GT]

I say 5,800rpm that takes advantage of your better flow but keeps you not to far above the stock cam's wanted powerband.

Trial and error also helps

A dyno could show you where would be more optimum to shift...

Good Luck

 

[mustang88]

oh,going to be using either a cheap ford b or e cam or a trickflow 1 cam,probaly the trickflow though.

centerline aluminum rims ,probaly street tires unless i can afford slicks

 

[25thmustang]

With my stocker I shift around 5700, so 5500-5800 is a good place to start!

 

[bubba-dough]

A dyno will tell you where the power is at with shifting. As far as launching its gonna be trial and error and it all depends on your suspension and tires.

 

[88stang88]

stock cam 5500,e cam 5800-6000

 

[2002BLGT]

oh,going to be using either a cheap ford b or e cam or a trickflow 1 cam,probaly the trickflow though.

centerline aluminum rims ,probaly street tires unless i can afford slicks

trickflow 5800-5900

 

[macx]

Those points all sound about right -
in general, you want to shift so that
the rpms drop back down to your torque
peak or just above it. That will often
be right around your hosepower peak
unless you've got really close gears.

 

[maverick0716]

In my opinion there's no point on putting ported heads/intake on a car if you're not going to do anything with the camshaft. If you have to keep the stock cam, I'd suggest getting 1.7 roller rockers.

 

[88-GT]

Do you guys really shift stockers up as highe a 5700? Just out of SOTP trial and error I usually end up shifting between 5000-5200, althogh that being on stock tach...gears be an issue?

 

[25thmustang]

Based on track times, I shift my stock cam that. I have tried lower, usually lose a tenth or two and a couple mph!

 

[legalize420]

Do you guys really shift stockers up as highe a 5700? Just out of SOTP trial and error I usually end up shifting between 5000-5200, althogh that being on stock tach...gears be an issue?

with my stock heads/cam and gears i noticed better times and higher mph shifting a 5000. still have not figured out the shift point with h/c. im still on stock gears . not for long

 

[mustang88]

its getting a cam ,just dont know which one yet, a trickflow 1 cam or a e or b cam

 

[slow93]

i shift really high,bout 6000 but off the line from first to second it is hard to shift before that with 4.10s and a 4cyl 5spd.