I was pondering what the best shift points would be for the Elise -- specifically, what speed would correspond to 6000 rpm and 8200 rpm in each gear, the range where the engine creates maximum power. My thought is, if I'm driving along at, say, 40 mph or 55 mph and want to downshift for max acceleration, what gear should I pick?
Well, I have a VibeGT with the same engine, tranny and axle ratio the Elise will have. Of course, the 16-inch wheels on my Vibe probably have a slightly different outside tire diameter, so I would need a conversion factor. But I rather guess that the 17-inch Elise rear Yokohama tires are lower profile than my Continental original equipment tires, so they might be pretty close.
Anyway, here's what I figured out, if anybody is curious. I checked my speed in each gear at 3000 rpm:
1st: 17 mph
2nd: 25
3rd: 34
4th: 43
5th: 53
6th: 67
Doubling that would give me the car speed at 6000 rpm, and mulitplying by 2.73 gives me the speed at 8200 rpm. Here are the ranges of car speed at 6000--8200 rpm:
1st: 34--46 mph
2nd: 50--68
3rd: 68--93
4th: 86--120
5th: 106--145
6th: 134--183
Of course, wind resistance inhibits speed at the top end, so the upper values are theoretical. But the answer to my original question is apparent. At 40. I could actually downshift to 1st for a quick boost, but I probably wouldn't, since I'd lose enough time just after that shifting into second. At 55, though, I would find the sweet range in 2nd gear.
Anyway, hitting 6000 rpm, my VibeGt noticably cranks up. The Elise will scream in those ranges. I think for common driving, or I guess for racing, it would be good to memorize those ranges, or whatever they correspond to in the Elise.
One other interesting point. I remember reading in this forum somewhere that the 1st to 2nd shift pulls the engine back to the lower valve cam setting. That looks to be the case, as you can't quite get to 50 in first gear.
Well, I have a VibeGT with the same engine, tranny and axle ratio the Elise will have. Of course, the 16-inch wheels on my Vibe probably have a slightly different outside tire diameter, so I would need a conversion factor. But I rather guess that the 17-inch Elise rear Yokohama tires are lower profile than my Continental original equipment tires, so they might be pretty close.
Anyway, here's what I figured out, if anybody is curious. I checked my speed in each gear at 3000 rpm:
1st: 17 mph
2nd: 25
3rd: 34
4th: 43
5th: 53
6th: 67
Doubling that would give me the car speed at 6000 rpm, and mulitplying by 2.73 gives me the speed at 8200 rpm. Here are the ranges of car speed at 6000--8200 rpm:
1st: 34--46 mph
2nd: 50--68
3rd: 68--93
4th: 86--120
5th: 106--145
6th: 134--183
Of course, wind resistance inhibits speed at the top end, so the upper values are theoretical. But the answer to my original question is apparent. At 40. I could actually downshift to 1st for a quick boost, but I probably wouldn't, since I'd lose enough time just after that shifting into second. At 55, though, I would find the sweet range in 2nd gear.
Anyway, hitting 6000 rpm, my VibeGt noticably cranks up. The Elise will scream in those ranges. I think for common driving, or I guess for racing, it would be good to memorize those ranges, or whatever they correspond to in the Elise.
One other interesting point. I remember reading in this forum somewhere that the 1st to 2nd shift pulls the engine back to the lower valve cam setting. That looks to be the case, as you can't quite get to 50 in first gear.
