What RPM Do You Shift At?? Options

[Curvie Roadlover]

This topic came up on the other BBS and I read lots of interesting opinions. I'm wondering what are the thoughts of the folks on this BBS. It seems to me I have been shifting too early and cruising in too high a gear. I was cruising at about 2400, maybe I shoulda been down a gear and running a higher RPM. Also, on a stock 2.0 at about what mph on the freeway do you take 5th gear? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Joseph Mills]

This topic came up on the other BBS and I read lots of interesting opinions.

I think this is a good topic. Being a relative newbie to 914s, I probably have way too many observations (read Obsession).

For both the street and AX, I usually shift by ear. When the engine sounds happy, I shift up. However, having said that, with my new 914, I have started taking note of tach readings and have started making adjustments, both for the street and AX. Here is what I have found.

For the street I usually short-shift before 3k - I like to semi-bury the throttle for 2nd and wind it a little higher - kinda fun. For 2nd & 3rd I go to 4k+. I usually cruise down a street at 4k. Keep the air flowing. It's noisy. So what.

For me the freeway is a chance to let it breath. Coming off of on-ramps I usually take it towards 5k and then slow down and merge left with traffic. Keep it above 3k and when needed, shift down for slower highway traffic. For me, 5th gear on the freeway @ 70mph is about 3300rpm.

For AX I usually short-shift 1st gear - strictly for launching. 2nd gear depends on the course (depends on the first turn). Sometimes I go to 6k (my car is not stock & winds freely to 6k). However, I know the T4 is not a high winder - it's all about low and mid range torque. Recently I have started forcing myself to short shift all gears for AX, and I'm seeing an improvement in my times - even though we all know the penalty of shifting a 914 in an AX. It's called 4 feet of linkage. Early shifting may not work for you - works for me. I'm installing an adjustable rev-limiter and shift light to help me shift before 5k instead of 6k.

I guess for the street, I'd say don't lug it around - wind it higher than you think you should. Cruise at 4k.

For AX, I say shift the damn thing. You'll go faster.

my 2.0L cents