In the higher gears, that's about right for what I'm experiencing... just rolling off the mark the lower gears I'm changing 1200-1500.

So this comes back to the mod's being looked at... are they going to at least hold with the stock setup at the bottom end?... or do I have to flog it to get the benefit?

Also, I'm curious as to why shifting below 3000 is not good for my engine?
I know if I have a couple of days of rushing around (maybe taking it to 2500 before shifting) my MPG goes out the window.

 

Bryan,
I am not saying your wrong and I'm right. I was taught that you should rev the engine into it's power band and shift when you were in the power band. Now without me going to look I know the Magnum 5.2 or 5.9 makes it's peak HP higher than 1500 rpm's. I drove nothing but sticks until 2004 when I was wounded in Iraq. I switched to auto's only because it helps my leg and the fact that I can't do the 2 legged clutch/brake/gas anymore. I did buy a stick pickup in 2008 and loved it but because it was a diesel I didn't have to shift as often. My Jeep use to be a stick but I had to switch to an auto with it because of my leg.

Now for my memory I think your shift point should be somewhere between peak torque and peak HP. I just feel that your not working your engine enough. But that is me and as I said I am not saying your wrong. Also redline on a stock V-8 5.2 or 5.9 is around 5,500 rpm's I think.

Got this for you;
5.2L Magnum created 230 hp (170 kW) @ 4,400rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque (410 N-M) @ 3,200rpm
5.9L created 230 hp (170 kW) @ 4,000 rpm and 330 lb·ft (449 N·m) @ 3,250 rpm

So as I said for the way I was taught your not even close to the power band of your engine. Just some food for thought.

 

So long as the engine is generating the power need to accelerate at the desired rate, it's all good.

 

Thanks for all the input guys... this is becoming an interesting thread.

Just for grins, yesterday I tried running the RPM higher than I normally do before shifting... yes she is more responsive to throttle change at higher RPM, but it sounds like I'm racing it down the street... I could see this drawing unneeded attention from the law.

If it was loaded or toeing a big trailer, I could certainly see running to the higher RPM where peak HP/torque is developed before shifting being needed, but for my way of thinking (and I'm also not saying I'm right or wrong), if the engine isn't laboring after the up-shift and continues to accelerate at the desired rate, it's fine... you're using the HP/torque needed for the situation, not running to its max/peak just because that's what it has... this also has to be a more economical style of driving... after all, isn't that why auto's use more fuel than manuals?

 

Autos use more gas because they lose more power in transsmision, thus needing more power to accelerate compared to the stick.

New autos however are so efficient they often get more mileage than stick(if you can find a stick anymore) but this probably has more to do with the fact that sticks are geared more for sport use, with short close gear ratios and autos get long gears that help with mileage. But they have increased efficiency alot

 

Today's autos seem to have a lot more gears than they use to... or be continuously variable.

 

This too. I forgot about that

 

Another thing I just thought of... By default, the shift light on the dash lights up at lower rpm than I shift... it does seem to learn your driving style, and come on less over time... then only when you run past your usual shift points.
In any event, over ~2500 it is definitely lit, and if it had sound, it would be screaming by 3000... lol

 

my 81 only hits 3400 rpm when i am doing nearly 90 mph. it usually shifts at about 3000 rpm when i got the skinny peddle held to the floor. normal hiway driving it doesn't go over 2500 rpm. in town i can usually keep it under 1500 rpm.

 

During mild acceleration, the shift indicator lights at 1600 in 3rd and 4th... under harder acceleration, it lights at 2200-2500 depending on how hard I'm accelerating.