This 88 Camaro is the first manual I've ever owned. I know when to shift in it, but this summer I'm dropping a 383 in to replace this 305 and I was just wondering how I can find out, before hand, what types of rpms I'll be getting. I'm shifting around 4.5 now, but some tachs I've seen go up to 10.

So, yea, basically, what determines when you shift?

 

I always shift around 5 grand when it runs outta breath :P

 

typically, you want to shift when the cam/intake mandates that you shift.
your cam specs will list a powerband, and you want to make sure you have shifted by the top range.
of course if you have stock rods/crank, you wont want to take them above 6000 rpms anyway.

if you get your car dyno'd you will see a spot where the power curve goes flat and starts to decrease.
you want to shift JUST before you start loosing power
again, if you have stock rods/crank you can ignore this and shift BEFORE 6000.

 

For drag racing, you want to shift at the RPMs that puts the engine at its max torque in the next gear.

For drag racing, you don't want a T5 behind a 383.

 

From what I've read here you don't want a T5 behind a 383 period

unless you want to gooify your gears!

 

Agreed. I was all ready to buy a rebuilt t-56 this tax season and swap it in, but no one could find a t-56 core anywhere around where I live. My t5 was on it's last legs (I was down to first, third, and fifth) and I HAD to do something, so I dropped 1800 to have the t5 rebuilt. (2400 after the new clutch and flywheel)

But the first t-56 core I find is MINE.