Okay, this is my first stick car. Although I'm adapting well, I still don't feel as if I'm doing this well enough to get the most out of the car.

Has anyone worked out the optimal shift points on the base cooper?

 

That's a good question. My old car was at 12, 24, 36, 48 mph respectively. About 2100 RPM'S. My MINI seems to like shifting around 3200 or so RPMS, although I haven't figured out the speed points (as I hardly ever look at the speedometer!). I'll try to check this more when I take the car out later.

 

I'm bumping this back up for ya EP ! I like the question.

I still stick by my 3200 RPMs. It's at that point that I either shift, or lay off the gas a bit. That's during periods of normal accelleration.

 

You are probably babying it a bit much shifting at 3000 rpm. A small 4 cylinder engine is just starting to really produce power at the point you guys are shifting. Let it go a bit, you don't have to take it to redline, but if you took it half the distance between 3200 and redline, you might have a lot more fun!

 

1st gear will do nearly 40, 2nd around 60... I tend to run th9ose two gears up everytime I accelerate if noone is in front of me, I'm a believer in getting up to speed quickly, then holding it. ESPECIALLY ON ONRAMPS!!! Why do people have to get on 'em so slooowww?

But, I'd say the best shift points would be around 4700 rpm, as you can really feel the torque biting in around 4200. Take advantage of it!

 

I agree. Shifting at 3000 rpm is like getting your most coveted toy for christmas and never taking it out of the box to play with it. . . .

 

I think there's a big difference between optimal shift points, and where you might have the most fun driving the car.

 

evil 1 :smile:
you are not baking a cake or mixing a drink here.....
optimal?????
it's all about feel.....
if you are practicing learning on your cooper....this is not a good thing in my opinion...
find a friend...enemy.... or someone..who will let you ....practice on a car...that ...is ...let's call it...LESS IMPORTANT :smile:

i've been driving a stick for about 33 years and i very rarely look at the tac....
you want a guideline....4k-5k...is safe....or lets call it optimum
6k & above...not we start having some fun

Peace
D

 

. ESPECIALLY ON ONRAMPS!!! Why do people have to get on 'em so slooowww?

Pet Peeve number 2! Right after wet socks! Everytime I want to put in a little cornering time, someone in an SUV on a cell phone blows it for me!