I'm no racing driver, But was wondering?

[2dogs]

I'm no racing driver but out and about yesterday was wondering what's the best time to shift
and what are the best rpm ranges to stay in for a smooth fast drive :?
Hope some of you track boys/girls can shed some light...

 

[pilchardthecat]

The red line usually does it for me

 

[carl]

8,000 rpm, although it starts the soft rev cut just before. I'd like to get the limiter raised on mine.

 

[Beedub]

i ususally change up @ 7900-7950..... that s54 was designed to rev!!!!
i try to avoid clipping the softcut limiterhowever.. sometimes its unavoidable however to the speed in which the revs rise.........

in cruise mode i lov changeing at around 5500 rpm, lots of Tq in this range for me and just a few PSI blowing into the engine..... Really satisfying wave of Tq here....

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Max torque is around 5,000 rpm, so in theory keeping the revs around that level should give maximum acceleration. However, the torque curve is pretty flat throughout the rev range. This means that when accelerating from rest to a given speed, the potential gains from changing up appropriately to keep the engine around 5,000 are easily offset by the time saved through reducing the number of upshifts required if the engine is allowed to rev to the red line.
Of course, changing up early also denies you the opportunity to enjoy the full glory of the screaming animal under the bonnet :evil:

I'd say, shift up at the red line (but before the limiter kicks in) when accelerating, but try to exit corners in an appropriate gear to start that acceleration from around 4,500-5,000 rpm.

 

[2dogs]

i ususally change up @ 7900-7950..... that s54 was designed to rev!!!!
i try to avoid clipping the softcut limiterhowever.. sometimes its unavoidable however to the speed in which the revs rise.........

Don't think I made my post to clear
I was thinking more of a daily small hoon not an out right red line
I.e.: would you shift between 2000-4000 or may be 3000-5000 that sort of thing
I shift up about 3500-4000 is this too soon?

 

[Beedub]

i ususally change up @ 7900-7950..... that s54 was designed to rev!!!!
i try to avoid clipping the softcut limiterhowever.. sometimes its unavoidable however to the speed in which the revs rise.........

Don't think I made my post to clear
I was thinking more of a daily small hoon not an out right red line
I.e.: would you shift between 2000-4000 or may be 3000-5000 that sort of thing
I shift up about 3500-4000 is this too soon?

arhh ok, on a light drive ill change up @ 4500-5500, see my original post, now edited

 

[milu]

Never redlined mine......been close though on a few occasions.
I generally change up before 4k I reckon,only winding past this relatively infrequently.

 

[2dogs]

i ususally change up @ 7900-7950..... that s54 was designed to rev!!!!
i try to avoid clipping the softcut limiterhowever.. sometimes its unavoidable however to the speed in which the revs rise.........

Don't think I made my post to clear
I was thinking more of a daily small hoon not an out right red line
I.e.: would you shift between 2000-4000 or may be 3000-5000 that sort of thing
I shift up about 3500-4000 is this too soon?

arhh ok, on a light drive ill change up @ 4500-5500, see my original post, now edited

So it would look like i shift way too early need to have a rethink.

Max torque is around 5,000 rpm, so in theory keeping the revs around that level should give maximum acceleration. However, the torque curve is pretty flat throughout the rev range. This means that when accelerating from rest to a given speed, the potential gains from changing up appropriately to keep the engine around 5,000 are easily offset by the time saved through reducing the number of upshifts required if the engine is allowed to rev to the red line.
Of course, changing up early also denies you the opportunity to enjoy the full glory of the screaming animal under the bonnet :evil:

I'd say, shift up at the red line (but before the limiter kicks in) when accelerating, but try to exit corners in an appropriate gear to start that acceleration from around 4,500-5,000 rpm.

Sorry BMWZ4MC miss your post! so 4500-5000 would be about right,
can you download these torque curve?

 

[alfamale]

The point of reving high is to make sure the engine is still spinning in the optimum HP and torque band after its lost momentum during the gear change, it seems a bit pointless to own an M car and granny shift all it's life

 

[original guvnor]

The point of reving high is to make sure the engine is still spinning in the optimum HP and torque band after its lost momentum during the gear change, it seems a bit pointless to own an M car and granny shift all it's life

+1

I actually don't think it's healthy for an M to be driven almost exclusively at low revs. As I think Beedub said, these engines are designed to be revved. They didn't set maximum power at 7,900 rpm for no reason.

 

[Paza3]

:evil: .... it’s addictive. Even my Wife hooned the beast today... and loved it full 2nd and 3rd with sport on , she turned to me after and for the first time said " Be careful"

 

[Beedub]

The point of reving high is to make sure the engine is still spinning in the optimum HP and torque band after its lost momentum during the gear change, it seems a bit pointless to own an M car and granny shift all it's life

+1

I actually don't think it's healthy for an M to be driven almost exclusively at low revs. As I think Beedub said, these engines are designed to be revved. They didn't set maximum power at 7,900 rpm for no reason.

yes yes yess... completely agree, im not saying abuse the car but damn... get those revs up, enjoy the engine and let the engine work in a constructive way.... i see now harm in using the upper rev range on a motor that was designed to be used that ay, warm her up properly and enjoy it.... its a proven fact high performance engines just pootled about constantly is not good for it....

saying that i do enjoy granny shifting as well but when i get the chance i use every last drop of those revs!!

 

[2dogs]

Bugger! where did i put my pension book ldman:

 

[original guvnor]

You need to change the name to Paza4 now mate !

 

[Paza3]

You need to change the name to Paza4 now mate !

 

[Wondermike]

If you don't use all the revs you're missing the fun of the car. The only issue is the gearing, for me it's still too tall. Over 100mph in 3rd really only leaves 2nd for red lining.

 

[toplad]

Never redlined mine......been close though on a few occasions.
I generally change up before 4k I reckon,only winding past this relatively infrequently.

What a waste

 

[WLH]

If you don't use all the revs you're missing the fun of the car. The only issue is the gearing, for me it's still too tall. Over 100mph in 3rd really only leaves 2nd for red lining.

Exactly my problem as well....well there are exceptions....

 

[milu]

Never redlined mine......been close though on a few occasions.
I generally change up before 4k I reckon,only winding past this relatively infrequently.

What a waste

It's not a waste if I enjoy the car is it?
I get plenty of performance going to around 6k when pressing on.
As mentioned above the only gear you can really wring out is 2nd. I've always enjoyed 3rd but unfortunately the redline is too quick for most circumstances.
The bassy exhaust note turning to more of a rasp is enjoyed from lower revs too!