[AZ_1LE]

I don't use 6th until I'm going at least 75, and I don't shift below 1500 RPM.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by jreagle56

skip shift 1 to 4 is the definition of lugging.....

No, it's not. 1>4 is only done while driving gently and is intended to be used with very little throttle.

Lugging isn't just about rpms, it's also about how much throttle you're giving it, and also torque multiplication.

[vtirocz]

The owners manual for my old '00 Camaro Z28 (LS1/T56), which has the exact same gearing as my '17 Camaro SS, states that they recommend shifting to 6th gear (0.5:1 overdrive) at a vehicle speed of 50mph. I don't see that specifically spelled out in the '17 owners manual, but that gives you an idea of what GM has in mind for when to shift to 6th.

Keep in mind the actual rear gear was different between those two (3.73 for '17 vs. 3.42 for the '00), but the larger tire size on the '17 results in the overall ratios for each gear being essentially identical when you do the calculation.

Reference page 95: https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam...aro_owners.pdf

I have no idea why folks are only using 6th gear on special occasions while at highway speeds and just cruising. This reminds me of when 4 speed autos came out in late 80's early 90's w/ OD and people would think it's best to just shift to "D" and only use "OD" under special circumstances.

[torqueaddict]

So today I had the opportunity to use 6th at 50 mph and the RPMs hovered around 1100. For me that's too low. I can't say the engine was laboring, but I wasn't comfortable with it.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by torqueaddict

So today I had the opportunity to use 6th at 50 mph and the RPMs hovered around 1100. For me that's too low. I can't say the engine was laboring, but I wasn't comfortable with it.

It's fine but only for very gently accelerating or maintaining speed... the more throttle, the higher the shift point needs to be.

It is amazing how smooth and powerful these motors are at low rpms though.

[Boost Creep]

Originally Posted by torqueaddict

So today I had the opportunity to use 6th at 50 mph and the RPMs hovered around 1100. For me that's too low. I can't say the engine was laboring, but I wasn't comfortable with it.

Originally Posted by DaveC113

It's fine but only for very gently accelerating or maintaining speed... the more throttle, the higher the shift point needs to be.

It is amazing how smooth and powerful these motors are at low rpms though.

Exactly.
You aren't shifting into sixth at 50 while accelerating, but when you are at a steady 50 on level ground.
Sixth is for cruising not passing.

[Boost Creep]

I was looking for this, finally found it, good info in the video.
Lugging topic at 6:12.


Thought he would go into it more.

[JamesNoBrakes]

I mean, people are saying they can't possibly drive around on the highway in 6th because there's not enough acceleration, but somehow 5th is ok? Are you kidding me? It doesn't really start to take off until 4th and 3rd, and 3rd is good over 100mph. 5th ain't much better than 6th if you are at highway speeds.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by jreagle56

skip shift 1 to 4 is the definition of lugging.....

Pro-tip: don't shift out of 1st until you have at least 2000-2500rpm.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I mean, people are saying they can't possibly drive around on the highway in 6th because there's not enough acceleration, but somehow 5th is ok? Are you kidding me? It doesn't really start to take off until 4th and 3rd, and 3rd is good over 100mph. 5th ain't much better than 6th if you are at highway speeds.

Torque peak is at 4400 rpms, so probably best to just keep it as close to that as possible just in case you need some acceleration.

[torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I mean, people are saying they can't possibly drive around on the highway in 6th because there's not enough acceleration, but somehow 5th is ok? Are you kidding me? It doesn't really start to take off until 4th and 3rd, and 3rd is good over 100mph. 5th ain't much better than 6th if you are at highway speeds.

6th is geared for cruising, like overdrive in an automatic. You can pass with it, but acceleration is definitely not as good as downshifting to 5th.

[SaphfireSS]

The main reason is pre-ignition can occur more easily. And coincidentally it is one of the main reasons for having a catch can. To keep as much contaminants out of the combustion chamber. Watch this vid. It will explain.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...ad-for-engine/

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by torqueaddict

From the owner's manual:

. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine in high
gear at low speeds. With a
manual transmission, shift
to the next lower gear. This
rule applies at all times, not
just during the break-in
period.

Notice that blurb gives no actual RPM or load, just vague terms.

Also notice that the Gen V LT1 is SAE certified from 1,000 to 6,000 RPM. That means it's guaranteed to give that torque output at 1,000 RPM, no excuses. At best, someone could argue "lugging" is WOT <1,000 RPM, but it's asinine to assert that "lugging" is >1,000 RPM given the SAE certification.

[GuywithL86]

Originally Posted by Nsxmatt

These same engines are in 6000lb trucks towing 12,000lbs lugging up hills all day. People just like to overthink things. Just drive the car... even if it's 6th gear all day.

16,200lbs of total weight with me in it, tow it all the time near that weight and I am not light on the throttle.

That’s 1 camaro motor with the load of 4 camaros with a fat guy sitting in each one