[lp_pro05]

I am getting ready to buy a bone stock 1989 gt 5-spd car. I have never drag raced a 5-spd before. I am looking for any tips or techniques on shifting and launching. I figure I have to start somewhere.

[Ninety5GT]

First, you'll need to get a feel. I'm not the best to respond, but I'm going to do my best and tell you what I think with mine. As I said, get a feel for each gear, slowly, at first before just ripping on it. I actually took 1,2, and 3 to the top speed they could do at red line, so i have an idea of what a good run might look like without having to think to much. I know I'm doing well when I hit ~62 in second gear, that lets me know I'm getting on it well. I drive to 5800 each time. 1st gear, launches... depends on tires, gears, and clutch even i would say. I have a Spec 2 on a TKO500 trans,aluminum driveshaft, and 3:73 with a limited slip in the rear as well, so I don't have to worry about hurting any of that. But with my T5 i had, launch about 1500-2000 on street tires, from 2000 it'll still drop to about 1500 and traction should be alright, 1500 launch will just be on the safe side. Shift dilgently but, don't "throw" it around, mean it! Watch wear you're putting it in... Third (for me) is the one I think about the most if any. But after a while, as I do now, I just watch my tach. I don't want to ramble to much, as i said earlier, I'm not the best driver in my opinion, but wanted to give you some heads up. Best of luck, and test when you can and let your conscience be your guide, hahah safe driving!

[gtvert01]

That sounds about right. Mine is a 5 spd and I drag race it. You don't want to just dump it on the line either because you will just spin the tires especially if you are on street tires. When you launch let the clutch slip a little until the car gets moving a little then you can tromp on it.

I would also highly recommend getting an aftermarket shifter for it. The stock shifters are sooo sloppy. I have a Steeda Tri-Ax in mine and literaly it took 2 tenths off of my time because I didn't have to guide it into each gear...especially the 2nd to 3rd shift.

I would practice at some stop lights and get to know your car. I practice at least my launch and then 1st to 2nd shift by then I'm usually above the speed limit anyway.

[Charlie]

when you launch it will not be the same all the time. the street and the track are not anything alike. when you are at the track it will change because of condition. I run a 93 it has 410's and a full spool I leave at 4500 most of the time. look on this site at the videos and you will see it. good luck and keep practicing.

[mustangibew]

Bone stock? Shifting at 5800 will be too late. I had mine dyno'd with basically a stock engine and the power drops quickly after 5200. An after market shifter will be of great value. I have a Pro 5.0 and it has never let me down.
Here is some stuff I learned, Do not drive your front tires thru the water box. If on street tires, do not even enter the water box at all. Dont smoke street tires, just spin them a little to clean them. Dont power shift the T-5, it wont last if you do. Dont get discouraged if your times seem slow at first. Practice practice practice. I started out getting high 14's and whittled it down each time. Tune one thing at a time. Chirping tires is quicker than spinning them.

[mustangibew]

With the stock intake and MAS and T.b and injectors and just some long tube headers,pulleys,adj FPR, subframes and Mega bite jr's and 8" slicks with fat 50's for front tires i had run 13.7's to 13.8's all day without power shifting. This was with 3:55 gears to boot.

[GhostlyStang]

try rolling outta the clutch at 2 grand then shifting at 5grand because the cam runs out after 5 grand

[09hatchback2.3]

akso i would recomend a pro 50 shifter or the steeda tri-ax both are great. and both help shifting from 2nd to 3rd which is the hardest shift you will make

[RLG34750]

news flash this thread is over 3 years old...

the original poster should have figured it out by now.....