RPM shift ratios for 1990 240SX

[Fastback Jack]

Hello. I've been driving my 240SX for about a week and a half now. I learned stick the day after I bought the car and am doing much better now than I did when I first started driving it. My question is are there specific RPM ranges that I should be shifting at? I've just been listening to the engine as it revs to gauge when I should shift. However, sometimes I don't think I rev it high enough before I shift, and the car seems like it loses power after one of these short shifts. Also, I notice that if I do a short shift, it's harder to disengage the clutch and get the gas going, and sometimes the car shudders a tiny bit when this happens. Can someone help me out with this issue please? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[onosqv]

I think it would depend on your driving goal. Obviously, the lower rpm you shift, the better mpg you but the less power you get/feel.

The "standard rule" is to shift before 3k rpm for normal driving. If you are trying to max out on mpg, you'd shift lower - as low as your car will allow w/o stumbling, which slightly varies car to car - somewhere around 2.5k.

If you are trying to max out on power, obviously, you'd shift way later, around 5k-6k depending on your particular car's power curve (this is where a dyno chart of your car comes in handy).

"Typical gear to mph":

1st gear - 0-15mph2nd gear - 15-30mph3rd gear - 30-45mph....

[Fastback Jack]

Thanks That helps a lot. Also, it makes sense now that my car seems to eat up so much gas. I've ben going up to 5-6K between shifts. The power and accelleration feels great, but it obviously burns up gas much quicker. Guess I'll save that kind of driving for the track from now on