Maximizing speed/torque?

melecioSi

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Hey everyone, I am new to the car scene as well as this is my first car with a turbo. My question is, how can I maximize the performance in my Si? Iv'e noticed that when I am on 2nd or 3rd gear, if I get to about 3k RPM right before the boost kicks in and I floor it by stepping down on the gas the full way, my wheels will begin to spin and I'll lose traction and wont start out as fast compared to when I creep up to 3k RPM and then slowly pump the pedal in, I feel the torque more and I do feel like my car picks up faster. Iv'e just been under the impression that stepping on the gas the full way and flooring it, is how you maximize the speed, but when I do that I lose traction. Whats the proper way of doing it? Also, what RPMs are ideal to shift for maximum torque? I know on our dash we have a setting where there is green, yellow and red light and the green light means to shift, is that the ideal shift point?
I have a 2018 Si 10th gen, bone stock with stock all season wheels.
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amirza786

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There is no need to floor the accelerator especially in first and second gears. It is better to go down slowly about a quarter or half then shift about 4500 rpm, that is if you need to get up to speed fast. If you are new to driving a MT, I would take it easy until you are good at it

Coming from NA V6, it took some practice to figure out how to optimize the boost to my advantage. You will figure it out once you adjust to the car
 

ycehcky

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Just remember the gas pedal is not an on off switch for a reason. Modulate the throttle and figure out the ideal input throughout the rpm range. Also, as stated tires will help.
 

caspar21

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with the large numbers of weak cars for people to learn to drive on, they are suprised when they try to drive a more powerful car that requires throttle control.
learn to find the limit of traction when accelerating hard.
train yourself to go as hard as you can without the traction control kicking in.
thats the way of performance driving.
 


amxandy

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Hey everyone, I am new to the car scene as well as this is my first car with a turbo. My question is, how can I maximize the performance in my Si? Iv'e noticed that when I am on 2nd or 3rd gear, if I get to about 3k RPM right before the boost kicks in and I floor it by stepping down on the gas the full way, my wheels will begin to spin and I'll lose traction and wont start out as fast compared to when I creep up to 3k RPM and then slowly pump the pedal in, I feel the torque more and I do feel like my car picks up faster. Iv'e just been under the impression that stepping on the gas the full way and flooring it, is how you maximize the speed, but when I do that I lose traction. Whats the proper way of doing it? Also, what RPMs are ideal to shift for maximum torque? I know on our dash we have a setting where there is green, yellow and red light and the green light means to shift, is that the ideal shift point?
I have a 2018 Si 10th gen, bone stock with stock all season wheels.
Lowering your tire pressure will give you more tire surface area and grip. Try lowering a little and see if you have more traction.
 

Neps18Si

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I like the 1 to 2 shift and the that LSD chirps the tires. Also don't WOT in 5th or 6th gear and try not to full boost in those gears either...I will soon being doing a by either the Ktuner or Hondata. I want to stretch the life of the clutch if I can.
 

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melecioSi

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I like the 1 to 2 shift and the that LSD chirps the tires. Also don't WOT in 5th or 6th gear and try not to full boost in those gears either...I will soon being doing a by either the Ktuner or Hondata. I want to stretch the life of the clutch if I can.
I’ve heard a couple of people mention not to WOT or boost in 5th gear, how come? I catch myself doing that in the highway to pass people.
 

gtman

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Lowish RPM + High load (overdriven gears) = More stress.
 
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MuffinMcFluffin

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Apparently because the gear ratio is less than 1:1 in those gears, it's not suggested to do so as a form of instant acceleration.

If you're at a high RPM, I don't see why you can't ease on the throttle more as you go, but I don't think "stepping on it" would really be wise. I don't know how much boost you can give though, as I'm asking people that same question here.

Anyway, I don't think I've yet to eclipse 50% or so on the throttle yet through about 2,000 miles. What lies on that other side with this stock vehicle, I wonder? :hmm:
 

COOL COUPE

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with the large numbers of weak cars for people to learn to drive on, they are suprised when they try to drive a more powerful car that requires throttle control.
learn to find the limit of traction when accelerating hard.
train yourself to go as hard as you can without the traction control kicking in.
thats the way of performance driving.
...curious... your thoughts on a measured and controlled slow and steady "rev 'till the car coughs approach" For example drinking 10 bears in 3 hours is much different than drinking 10 beers in 10 hours. Do you see a longevity issue with the motor with simply driving to "near" redline ... feeling the cough ... learning how to approach the cough and then beginning to shift just prior? Essentially not a MANIC approach to speed but consistently "rowing through the gears" in a slow and measured way taking advantage of the full bandwidth approaching 6400 rpms S L O W L Y over time? I think I surprised the salesman at test drive since I rarely need the break in this car! I downshifted to reduce speed in a slow and controlled manor looking more than 12 car lengths ahead of me ... same idea .. "row through the gears" leaves me thinking of a quiet pond or lake. This is how you get the most out of the HP / TQ ... slow and steady wins the race ... Right?
 

MuffinMcFluffin

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For example drinking 10 bears in 3 hours is much different than drinking 10 beers in 10 hours.
I think drinking even a single bear in any amount of hours will always be different than drinking any number of beers!

Anyway, do the gear ratios have anything to do with which RPM's you'd want to shift?
 

caspar21

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...curious... "row through the gears" leaves me thinking of a quiet pond or lake. This is how you get the most out of the HP / TQ ... slow and steady wins the race ... Right?
are you taking about breakin or when to shift on a regular basis?
for breakin definitly work your way up the rpm band over time.
on a regular basis i only use hi rpm if the mid rpm range doesn't have the power i want. so generally if i am close to redline its pedal to the floor because i need/want the power. i don't generally use redline as the tires break easily at lower speeds without it. redline is hard on engines so i only use it if there is a strong need/want.

i am regularly putting around town in1500rpn-2500rpm untill some kid goes by me that needs to be shown what a turbo does.
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