1/4 mile shift points for STOCK LS3 Camaro

[rocketman 12]

Next Sunday(7-17) will be my first time EVER down a drag strip, so I could use some help... At what rpm is it best to shift the LS3 Camaro at for drag racing? From the dyno graphs I've seen on here the HP peaks around 5k, while the torque tops out around 6 and the two seem to intersect around 5,200, so it seems to me that that is the optimal rpm. So maybe 5,500 is where you'd shift in a race? I rarely take it over 5k when "playing" on the back roads around here.

The car is stock other than a muffler delete, I plan on dropping my rear tire pressure to 30psi, and from what I've read in other threads, 2k is a good launch rpm. Any other pointers will be appreciated.

[epkmvuoq]

I shift at 6200. Feels right to me

[Three of Swords]

Originally Posted by rocketman 12

From the dyno graphs I've seen on here the HP peaks around 5k, while the torque tops out around 6 and the two seem to intersect around 5,200, so it seems to me that that is the optimal rpm.

Because Horsepower is just a number based on an equation from Torque, they will always cross at 5252 RPMs. If they do not, something is wrong w/ the dyno graph.

Equation:
Horsepower = (Torque x Engine speed) / 5,252

[Bad70supreme]

Shifting under 6 is not even close to optimal! You want to shift these things just past peak HP... thats about 5900-6000 but they keep pulling hard past that, 6200-6500 will be the best shift points, then you will be higher in your power band in the next gear as well. When I shift mine at 6500 it pulls noticably harder. Speed in the top end is so high with these motors because of the power band up top... they hold close to peak power for a long time and the higher revs make more speed.

[blufin]

6K for me.

[rocketman 12]

Thanks, guys! I'll have to make some practice runs this week shifting between 6-6,500 and see what feels best.....

[SSDan]

OP - much like you the one and only time I went down a drag strip was in my stock 2010 LS3. If your experinece is like mine - it will be the launch that is the challenge. I shifted right as the tach swept past 6 K and managed to miss the rev limiter every time so I thought the shifts were right on and optimal for maximum acceleration. Remember due to the multiplier effect the lower gear is still pulling harder even just past max HP than you are going to get in the next gear. Its the launch in the LS3 6MT that is tough. I didn't master it my day at the track (too much wheel spin). From what many others have posted who have gotten a good 60 ft. - they have rode the clutch out a little and rolled into the throttle vs. the temtation to floor the gas and dump the clutch.

Also, I didn't worry about reaction time as I wanted to find out what the car could do w/o that added pressure since I knew I was no professional and unlikely to beat anyone with a good car anyway.

Good luck - have fun. I did. My car did great as I trapped a 108 with a bad 60 ft. of 2.444. So the car had the stuff - just not me - yet!

[rocketman 12]

Thanks.....I'm pretty sure I'll screw up the launch, either bog it down or do a nice burnout, lol. I just don't want to be short shifting the heck out of it once I get moving. I'm tempted to leave the TC on so I don't go up in smoke, what's everybody's opinion on that?

[Bad70supreme]

NO traction, I did that on mistake once and it was a mess!

[SSDan]

For what it is worth I made my 3 runs in about as stock of a configuration as you can get. I left all nanny controls on. Used normal tire pressure. Didn't even turn off the a/c. Drove around the water box. Did not do any burn out. Completely stock powertrain including leaving the engine cover on. So I drove it just like I got it from the dealer. It was past break in mileage wise and I did wring it out by shifting as late as I could without bouncing the rev limiter. Like I mentioned the car ran great hitting a 108 trap speed even with me (the rookie) launching it.

I would recommend you leave the electronic stability control on even if you disarm the traction control. Last time I was at a Gen 5 meet w/ a drag strip available - I watched a couple of guys get crossed up and they came close to the wall.

I didn't try the launch control for two reasons - I got the 6MT because I want to control everything (even if I'm not so good at it) and I've read a lot of bad things about launch control on this forum ( half shaft failures - etc.).

To specifically answer your question I'd say try a run both ways - with and w/o traction control. See what you like and what makes you comfortable and in control. Honestly at the strip and on the road I have never found the traction control to be overly intrusive. It will let me spin the wheels in 1st, 2nd and 3rd ( just a chirp in third) unless I just dump the clutch on the start.

[rocketman 12]

Originally Posted by SSDan

For what it is worth I made my 3 runs in about as stock of a configuration as you can get. I left all nanny controls on. Used normal tire pressure. Didn't even turn off the a/c. Drove around the water box. Did not do any burn out. Completely stock powertrain including leaving the engine cover on. So I drove it just like I got it from the dealer. It was past break in mileage wise and I did wring it out by shifting as late as I could without bouncing the rev limiter. Like I mentioned the car ran great hitting a 108 trap speed even with me (the rookie) launching it.

I would recommend you leave the electronic stability control on even if you disarm the traction control. Last time I was at a Gen 5 meet w/ a drag strip available - I watched a couple of guys get crossed up and they came close to the wall.

I didn't try the launch control for two reasons - I got the 6MT because I want to control everything (even if I'm not so good at it) and I've read a lot of bad things about launch control on this forum ( half shaft failures - etc.).

To specifically answer your question I'd say try a run both ways - with and w/o traction control. See what you like and what makes you comfortable and in control. Honestly at the strip and on the road I have never found the traction control to be overly intrusive. It will let me spin the wheels in 1st, 2nd and 3rd ( just a chirp in third) unless I just dump the clutch on the start.

I was definitely NOT going to use launch control, I tried it once on a back road just to see what it was like, I didn't like the hesitation and big THUNK I heard/felt just before the car took off.

I'll probably try TC on for the first run just so I feel more comfortable, we'll see how it feels after I get that first run under my belt.

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by rocketman 12

I was definitely NOT going to use launch control, I tried it once on a back road just to see what it was like, I didn't like the hesitation and big THUNK I heard/felt just before the car took off.

I'll probably try TC on for the first run just so I feel more comfortable, we'll see how it feels after I get that first run under my belt.

Rocketman - good luck. I'm sure you'll have fun. Post up how you do.

[K1SSRSS]

Originally Posted by Bad70supreme

NO traction, I did that on mistake once and it was a mess!

Second that.

[GQ4Life]

take it as close to rev limiter as possible. Eventhough HP may drop you still are in a better gear which multiplies the power being put to the ground.