Shift Points...

[Nufy]

Another newbie question...

What are your shift points for smoothest acceleration ?

I am noticing in my 85.5 that I have to shift at about 4000 RPM for a smooth acceleration and transition between gears.

I do not have the shift indicator on my 944 or it doesn't work...LOL

Is this typical ?

[mytrplseven]

I don't change gears at anything below 3000 rpm. Small displacement engines like these develop their HP at higher RPM than big displacement cars.

[Volhv]

It it's a Canadian car, there is no shift light.
Over 3, I agree.

[sausagehacker]

between 3-3500 for normal daily driving, 3500-4000 for "I'm in a good mood" driving, often times higher when having fun on the way home from work/class. I try to keep things under 5500 except for special occasions, just to keep wear down as much as I can. It's not like the 8V really prospers in a huge way after that point.

[v2rocket_aka944]

for slow around town driving with the MAF you can easily get around shifting in the 2000s, barely have to touch the clutch to get the next gear and the spacing is close enough that it reengages smoothly. with the afm its a little higher than that, the MAF gives you a lot more torque.

then again, you can shift just as butter-smooth at 6000rpm if you're well-dialed into your car. if im in a drive-fast mood ill take it to 6500 in 1st/2nd gears, 3rd gear would put me over 100 at that rpm so thats a rarer occurance.

[DannoXYZ]

Shifting smoothness isn't so much about RPMs as it is about coordinating the clutch and throttle just right.

Such as letting off the gas (but not all the way) and stepping in the clutch at the right time so as to not jerk the car. Then you'll want to shift and match RPMs to the road-speed so that when you let out the clutch, the RPMs don't change and jerk the car.

In fact, if you do the throttle foot just right with matching RPMs, you don't even have to use the clutch at all!

[AaronM]

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

In fact, if you do the throttle foot just right with matching RPMs, you don't even have to use the clutch at all!

Technically true, but in practice that should never be done with a synchromesh transmission. It's really, really, really hard on the synchros.

[mhariush]

Here's what Porsche had to say about it in the manual...

Early Pre 85.5



Late 1985.5

[mazdaverx7]

I'm generally between 3000 and 3500 rpm, depending on traffic. I use the CASIS light occasionally but if you shift as soon as it comes on, the engine tends to bog a bit.