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A Personal question

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Kryllion

Kryllion

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I'm still new here, and I know we don't know each other on an intimate level yet... but I need to ask...

When are *YOU* shifting?

The owners manual for my 1970 B (well... a '67 engine) recommends running between 2500 and 4500 RPM for optimal performance. If I get to 3500, I feel like we're gonna blow at any moment.

Maybe I just like the low growl that you get around 2000, or maybe I'm a wuss. I think the latter, because downshifting scares me to the point where I'm over rev-matching and lurching about like a fish coming into a stop sign. I end up letting the revs drop while in 2nd, and then putting in neutral to come to a stop.

Anyway, it's a little embarassing, but I have no shame /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

How do you like to work your gears?
 
I have a 73B and I shift it low if I'm just tooling down the road. I have gone to the 4500 on the freeway and everything is ok. Downshifting takes getting use to, but you will learn to use it so you can power around corners. You don't have to use the recommended shifting RPMs but they will not hurt your engine.
 
You can rev the MGB engine to 5000+ without worry of anything bad happening (if in good order of course). They are very tough units and will develope more power at higher revs. I never downshift into first since it's such a low gear, but I always downshift into the others. Just bite the bullet, go out for a drive and push the engine into the upper end of the RPM range. Let it rev at 4,000+ through a turn, then hit the gas and you will begin to understand why they are true sports cars. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I never look at the tachometer when I'm shifting. Comes from driving lots of manual transmission cars that never had them. You can tell when to shift up by the engine note.

Downshifting does take some practice, but you really don't need to do it when approaching a stop sign, just stay in the higher gear. Your clutch will thank you. It really does take lots of practice, but you'll get there.
 
If the engine in my '76 B is still cold, I at or below 3000 RPMs. With the engine warm... well, I just happen to shift based upon my driving mood. On freeways I've had the engine spinning 4500 RPMs... I get a little nervous sustaining those speeds, but so far it seems to handle it ok.

Down shifting... eh... that's another driving mood thing for me. Normal driving I'll just coast in neutral to a stop light or sign, and down shift a gear (or two if it's tight enough!) as I approach a turn...
 
I like to keep her under 3000 RPM until she warms up and I am out of my residential neighborhood, but then use the power of the higher rpm's for driving the more open roads and expressways. I seldom go over 5000 rpm, as my curve flattens out there somewhat, but have had her to the reline on some of the darn short on ramps we have in this area /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Downshifting is a personal matter...and not to be shared with just anyone...but I have no shame either... I love to downshift at higher rpms and let the engine slow the car and not use the brakes as much. Although some serious driving roads require some heel and toe "spirited" driving, most of the rural roads around here must be driven at the speed that the minivan or SUV in front of you is going /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Try winding her out a little on an nice open road...it can become habit forming /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
I must be a nutter: I try never to go below 2K RPM (that's "lugging" the poor dear), upshift at between 3,500 and 4,500, with occasional 5k shifts. The Old Gal is cammed up and is still producing power "up there." Downshifting is "normal" to me, as I've always used heel-and-toe to match rev's/speed. Downshift point is roughly 2,200~2,500. I've an early "crashbox" so NO first gear/reverse engagement unless the wheels are NOT turning at all. BTW: Moss Motors supplied me with a Paddy Hopkirk gas pedal extension a few years back /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Makes heel-and-toe a JOY inna B.

Segue: A friend campaigned a B in SCCA E-Prod. a number of years back and would ROUTINELY use a first gear downshift with a "crashbox"!!! His 'unique techinque' was to ~momentarily~ cram the brakes (to lock the rear wheels), match RPM, and JAM the lever into first. Never saw him rebuild a box until winter teardown... no idea how many layshafts/gearsets he went thru to perfect the method, and never had nerve enuff to try it with MY cars.

Just thought that might amuse some.
 
This is the most informative thing I ever read, and this comes from a man who was in high school at least six or seven years... keep 'em coming, I LOVE it!
 
On a 53 TD I don't rev higher than roughly 2800 till the engine is warm. Thereafter I go between 2000 and 5000. I don't sustain the 5000 revs over longer periods, though. I am still in the process og getting to really kknow the car (have had it for some 2 month now).
 
I don't look at the tach either, but I've been driving a stick since I was 16 years old. I regularly run my car at 4000-4200 rpms and on highway driving have pushed 4600, but skeers me a bit to go much more than that although I've been told that engine should (operative word being should?) run fine at 5000 rpms.

And I love the woom woom woooom woom of downshifting. Just makes me sound cooler than I already I am!
 
Depends on road conditions and if my wife is in the car.
I shift at 4000 to 4500 depending on engine temperature and the road incline except when the wife is navigator and I shift at 3500 to 4000 so I don't get accused of beating up the old girl.
I downshift all the time and I sometimes do it with the auto trans on some cars. Vroom Vroom indeed!!
I'm not allowed to heel and toe unless it's just me on a twisty road and no passengers.(I don't get to many passengers on the motor bike either, probably because I tend to grind the pegs on turns.)
 
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Depends...if my wife is in the car...when the wife is navigator...accused of beating up the old girl.


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Your wife and dahubby would get along well. Has been a year now that I've had Emma and I think his eyes are STILL glued to the tach when he rides with me.
 
I like to do the "double-clutch, heel-and-toe downshift" under hard braking ~WITH~ a passenger! Makes 'em DIZZY /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
For anyone concerned, a B-Series engine in good order can run at 4500-5000 RPMs all day without a problem. My '65 B has been doing it for well over 300,000 miles on open highways with no overdrive for the past 40 years. These are tough little engines!
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif
 
Ya'll need to tell dahubby that!
 
c'mon JB! Just rub his nose in this here thread!
 
((Pssssst, Doc, what's heel-toe?))
 
5-6K on average. 6500+ sometimes.. Of course that is with my race prepared 18V motor...Even with my old worn out motor..4-5K was not unusual for me..

These engines are tougher than most people give them credit for..

Paul
 
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