I've gone down the track about 30 times in my just about bone stock 89 Si. So, when my car is warm, it revs up to right around 7200 rpm, but when its cold, I only get around 6800, and I look like a retard hitting the limiter when I'm going down the track. What gives? And I also hear that the motor has no power after 6500 or so... Have I been running far from my potential or what? Any help I could get with shifting at a good time would be good, considering I'm racing my friend for 50 bucks at the track next Wednesday.

WHEN SHOULD I SHIFT???

 

You are hitting the "cold", vs the higher "warm" rev limit and other ecu parameters.
You can find more specific information in the factory service manual.
Warm you car up before the run will help.
Try to keep you air intake cool though, cold air intake, cold damp towel on i/m, etc.
Shift point is based on drive style, power, traction, and other factors.
In other word, you'll have to experiment to achieve the best rpm point.


[Modified by Extreme, 5:04 PM 9/13/2002]

 

Usually the best place to shift is right at the rev limit, that's where you will be closer to your peak power after the shift

 

but what if you hit the limiter, and shift at the same time when the engine sort of cuts out, that would suck.

 

yeah, any time you HIT the limiter it REALLY slows you down, even if you barely touch it