What RPM do you shift at? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TIMSPEED · 12-09-2003, 07:46 AM

My truck normally shifts at 5000rpm, but when I revved it up tonight (to piss of the neighborhood) it spun up to 5500...so, should I shift higher than 5000rpm? But, how do I do that? Turn the screw in the shift solenoid? (TH350 tranny)

tecton · 12-09-2003, 07:48 AM

my auto shifts at 2.6 ot 2.7k

gldevall · 12-09-2003, 10:18 AM

When I get on mine I shift at 5500. You can get a shift kit that will hold it in gear until you shift it manually, however the one I have does not do this. If I pull it down to 1st gear it will shift out at 5500. Anybody know why it does this? 2nd I also shift out at 5500. And well 3rd if I'm at 5500, I should be doing about 110, whcihc I really do not want to do. These old trucks feel kind of squirrely that fast.

stepside454 · 12-09-2003, 12:07 PM

it depends on your engine. Ive seen guys rev there stock 350s to 5500RPMS. there actually making less power because there way out of a stock carbed 350s power band. its taking the abuse, & allowing the revs. but no need to do it, so you need to have some idea what RPM your cam & heads etc make power to. John

PHOENIX · 12-09-2003, 12:52 PM

I have stock 350 crate w/ 4-speed manual (granny gear) and I shift at around 4k when speeding around. If just driving regular I shift around 2300-3000.

Tom · 12-09-2003, 01:32 PM

Way too broad of a question. So many different motors, so many different peak power RPM's. I shift my 383 at 6000rpm because it makes peak power at 5500rpm. My vortec 350 never gets raced except for once and that was a 4500rpm shift. Stock its bottem end would take 6500rpm shifts all day long though.

r0lf- · 12-09-2003, 04:38 PM

My shift kit shifts at 5500. But like posted above, its way out of the powerband, I can feel it lose power it just starts spinning faster and losing power

But My new heads and cam should fix that!

lukecp · 12-09-2003, 04:39 PM

I shift my mild 350 at around 5000 rpm if i wanna go fast.....in drive it shifts at about 4200 rpm. If you have a pretty much stock engine, 4500 or even lower should be enough. You need to shift a few hundred RPM's above the RPM that your engine's power peaks....then you can carry a little RPM over to the next gear.

Prerunner1982 · 12-09-2003, 05:15 PM

damn, my 350 when floored shift about 4000, the highest it have gotten it is about 4200. at that point i am going way to fast... normally its about 2500rpm.

**Captkaos** · 12-09-2003, 06:36 PM

Definitely a loaded question, but I can say pretty much 5300 is about the limit for a Stock SBC as 5500 is redline.

On the other hand, I shifted my BBC at 7200, and have been rarely known to go 7800.

Dirty Dan · 12-10-2003, 01:44 AM

My truck shifts itself at 4500, I have let it rev to around 5200-5300. I have a single 3 chamber flowmaster so it sound alot higher than it actually is.

87 Shortwide · 12-10-2003, 02:03 AM

6600-7200 is where I usually shift when Im racing

1969 GMC · 12-10-2003, 05:31 AM

I guess I drive like a grampa...If I am "racing" I shift at 3k, just regularly around 2k. I have an SM465.

Accidentally revved it to 6k once (don't ask).

*1FaastC10* · 12-11-2003, 12:44 AM

if the valves float, you know you're pushing it to hard.

gchemist · 12-11-2003, 10:04 PM

1 gear shifts at 4800 RPMs. Valves float at 5200 RPMs.
If I run in 2nd. The tranny will shift up from 1st automatically to 2nd way past 5000 RPMs.

2-3 RPM shift unknown. The speedo runs out at 85 MPH in 2nd and ride starts to get hairy.

**swervin ervin** · 12-11-2003, 11:28 PM

Put a TransGo shift kit in it and it will hold any gear until you shift if doing it manually.

I redid my governor to where mine will shift from 1st to 2nd at 5500 in drive. I shift at whatever it shifts at. I never use the Megashifter to shift manually.

As a matter of fact, I very rarely drive it hard anymore. I drive fast as usual, but not from a dead stop.

I see G still has that powerhouse 305 in his truck.

gchemist · 12-12-2003, 02:54 PM

Your right Mike. Going on five years and the 305 has not died yet.

Man it's time I get moving again. I'm getting ready to tear apart the replacement parts I took off a Suburban. I need to sand blast paint/powder coat the front a-arms. Removing the old bushings should be a lot of fun. :p Guess the garage will come in handy this winter.

Tom · 12-12-2003, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gchemist
[B I need to sand blast paint/powder coat the front a-arms. Removing the old bushings should be a lot of fun. [/B]

G,

You ever going to stop worrying about everything else and start working on that motor we used to hear about from time to time?

12-09-2003, 07:46 AM	#1
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	What RPM do you shift at? My truck normally shifts at 5000rpm, but when I revved it up tonight (to piss of the neighborhood) it spun up to 5500...so, should I shift higher than 5000rpm? But, how do I do that? Turn the screw in the shift solenoid? (TH350 tranny) __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

12-09-2003, 07:48 AM	#2
tecton Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Beckley, WV Posts: 8	my auto shifts at 2.6 ot 2.7k __________________ 86k5/350

12-09-2003, 10:18 AM	#3
gldevall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 2,925	When I get on mine I shift at 5500. You can get a shift kit that will hold it in gear until you shift it manually, however the one I have does not do this. If I pull it down to 1st gear it will shift out at 5500. Anybody know why it does this? 2nd I also shift out at 5500. And well 3rd if I'm at 5500, I should be doing about 110, whcihc I really do not want to do. These old trucks feel kind of squirrely that fast. __________________ Gary -1986 SWB: lowered 4/6, SOLD!!! -Best 1/4 mile: 14.51 @ 91.01 MPH -2001 Pewter Tahoe, billet grill, Corsa Sport Cat-back, K&N FIPK SOLD!!! -2004 Z-71 Extended cab with a flowmaster, BDS 6.5", 3" BL, 35x12.5x18 Trail Grapplers on Pro-Comp 18x9 wheels Last edited by gldevall; 12-09-2003 at 12:09 PM.

12-09-2003, 12:07 PM	#4
stepside454 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: st. louis area Posts: 1,551	it depends on your engine. Ive seen guys rev there stock 350s to 5500RPMS. there actually making less power because there way out of a stock carbed 350s power band. its taking the abuse, & allowing the revs. but no need to do it, so you need to have some idea what RPM your cam & heads etc make power to. John __________________ 75 GMC C-15 short/step factory 454, lowered

12-09-2003, 12:52 PM	#5
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	I have stock 350 crate w/ 4-speed manual (granny gear) and I shift at around 4k when speeding around. If just driving regular I shift around 2300-3000. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

12-09-2003, 01:32 PM	#6
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,739	Way too broad of a question. So many different motors, so many different peak power RPM's. I shift my 383 at 6000rpm because it makes peak power at 5500rpm. My vortec 350 never gets raced except for once and that was a 4500rpm shift. Stock its bottem end would take 6500rpm shifts all day long though. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

12-09-2003, 04:38 PM	#7
r0lf- Hotwheels? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA Posts: 1,145	My shift kit shifts at 5500. But like posted above, its way out of the powerband, I can feel it lose power it just starts spinning faster and losing power But My new heads and cam should fix that! __________________ 1978 Money Pit - CUSTOM DELUXE!!!!

12-09-2003, 04:39 PM	#8
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I shift my mild 350 at around 5000 rpm if i wanna go fast.....in drive it shifts at about 4200 rpm. If you have a pretty much stock engine, 4500 or even lower should be enough. You need to shift a few hundred RPM's above the RPM that your engine's power peaks....then you can carry a little RPM over to the next gear. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-09-2003, 05:15 PM	#9
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	damn, my 350 when floored shift about 4000, the highest it have gotten it is about 4200. at that point i am going way to fast... normally its about 2500rpm. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

12-09-2003, 06:36 PM	#10
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Definitely a loaded question, but I can say pretty much 5300 is about the limit for a Stock SBC as 5500 is redline. On the other hand, I shifted my BBC at 7200, and have been rarely known to go 7800. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

12-10-2003, 01:44 AM	#11
Dirty Dan Oh Look Out! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: M'boro TN, Posts: 505	My truck shifts itself at 4500, I have let it rev to around 5200-5300. I have a single 3 chamber flowmaster so it sound alot higher than it actually is. __________________ Dan's Webshots "I have a lot of growing up to do... I realized that the other day inside my fort" - Zack Galifianakis.

12-10-2003, 02:03 AM	#12
87 Shortwide Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 536	6600-7200 is where I usually shift when Im racing __________________ Daily Driver: 1992 Blazer dropped on rallys Project: 87 GMC shortwide, About to get a little boost

12-10-2003, 05:31 AM	#13
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	I guess I drive like a grampa...If I am "racing" I shift at 3k, just regularly around 2k. I have an SM465. Accidentally revved it to 6k once (don't ask). __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

12-11-2003, 12:44 AM	#14
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	if the valves float, you know you're pushing it to hard.

12-11-2003, 10:04 PM	#15
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	1 gear shifts at 4800 RPMs. Valves float at 5200 RPMs. If I run in 2nd. The tranny will shift up from 1st automatically to 2nd way past 5000 RPMs. 2-3 RPM shift unknown. The speedo runs out at 85 MPH in 2nd and ride starts to get hairy. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos



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12-11-2003, 11:28 PM	#16
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Put a TransGo shift kit in it and it will hold any gear until you shift if doing it manually. I redid my governor to where mine will shift from 1st to 2nd at 5500 in drive. I shift at whatever it shifts at. I never use the Megashifter to shift manually. As a matter of fact, I very rarely drive it hard anymore. I drive fast as usual, but not from a dead stop. I see G still has that powerhouse 305 in his truck.

12-12-2003, 02:54 PM	#17
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Your right Mike. Going on five years and the 305 has not died yet. Man it's time I get moving again. I'm getting ready to tear apart the replacement parts I took off a Suburban. I need to sand blast paint/powder coat the front a-arms. Removing the old bushings should be a lot of fun. :p Guess the garage will come in handy this winter. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

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