Shift Light thoughts/recommendations??

I've been pondering on getting a shift light cause I always find myself trying to glance at the tach to shift at the right RPM and trying to prevent hitting the red line. I was looking at the G-tech at first but its more than what I need and its too fancy. recommendations...thoughts?? thanks Anyone has experience with this Sparco SL-P1 or S1??

When you become famiiar with the engine and tranny sounds, you won't need to watch the tach. The is no problem see the tach anyway, so a light would be reduntant.

Thanks, but I've been on a couple of DEs, and thinkng of the apex, heel to toe, passing, and looking at the tach to see if I have enough torque left to push the gear is sometime overwhelming for me. A shift light for me will definitely help. In short, by the time I glance at the tach and refocus on the road, I could have utilized that split second to make the right timing to shift. Also for me, by the time I become familiar with the tranny sound .. it would be worn out befor I get the hang of it.. the light will surely help on the longetivity of the gear box. I'd like to set the light to take more advantage or torque/power bandwith.

So what do you do for the light on different gears, since your power range will vary gear to gear? Feel the car. It is quite easy especially at higher RPM's to know where your power starts to peak and fall. Why distract yourself with anotherlight while going through a curve with another car close to you? JMO.

Ya know , its not a bad idea, I know i have sometimes wished i had one, I might look into an stand alone autometer solution..

I'd like a shift light very much. I don't get much of a chance to drive my car hard, and when I do I forget how fast you get to the limiter.

Get a Pivot the only way to go!

Exactly!! That 2nd gear runs out pretty fast.

By the way guys, a tech here said that on my car, the no. 7 pin(green wire I think) on the OBD II receptacle is a tach wire. That plus a 12V and a common ground is all you need to run it.

I looked at those too Paul. I'm leaning on this SL-P1 so I don't to drill holes on the dash..jsut velcro. OT to Paul: By the way, I was there in Brampton last Friday. Arrived Thursday afternoon and took off Saturday morning. I wasn't able to bring the puurrrrsha 'cause of the short notice. Before Brampton, I was at my brothers place in Kincardine. What a gorgeous place/town!! Sun sets over lake huron.. coble stone side walk downtown!! The water was warm too.. I fell in love in that relaxing place!! I ws kicking myself for not taking the car on the tariler.. maybe next time. I will surely hookup with you boys there up north for some Fri/Sat fun drives to those hang outs you're talking about.

How is it that the pivot requires no wiring except power? Is there enough ignition noise on the power lines to measure?

You guys should forget the computer controls and pay attention to your car. It is really not that difficult to "feel" where to shift in each gear, including downshifting. Driving is all about getting to know your car. Forget the traction control, ABS and the like and drive the car - don't let it drive you. Otherwise, you might as well get someone to drive for you.

Point taken. But why do you think even the most advance drivers, like the F1s(Schumachers/Montoya) have the shift lights right on their steering wheels??

You ever driven a formula 1? Can't hear a thing during a race. Also, I am not saying that the light or other signal is not helpful, however, you should first learn to shift at the points the engine wants you to before using a light. You have to find those points before you can even determine at what rpm's you want the light to signal a shift. I know alot of dragsters that use them, but I never found it necessary. They were used more in the old cars because there was no rev limiter and it help you keep from over reving.

Mike, FWIW, I agree with 1999Porsche911. Of course you can and should do what you want, but I think you will be wasting your money merely to give yourself another unnecessary crutch. Just my two cents, TD

Does the engine cut off when you redline? I thought it makes a buzz as well. If so, a light doesn't do much purpose. It's very nicey IMO. What you need most likely is some practice that keeps you in the right gear when you're tracking. A light won't help you there. Try driving w window down to hear engine more or better yet, get a louder exhaust! Just my 2 cents since you are seeking advice.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the insights. Thats what I'm looking for in posting this. I do want to point out though 1999Porsche911 that I know where the shift points are, where the HP and Torque starts to drop. I have the charts for my MY. Thats is exactly why I'm looking at these lights. FWIW I consider myself too be a good shifter. I grew up with nothing but standard shifters and been driving them for 24years now.

Yes, the gas cuts off when you hit redline. It does not buzz. On the track (and on the street actually), you just know when you are close. The only time I get very close to redline and sometimes bounce off the limiter is coming out of the esses at Watkins Glen. I am always a little hesitant to shift while tracking out of the last curve at such a high rate of speed. As such, I try to feather right when I am about to hit the limiter (I sometimes hit it) and then shift as soon as the gs reduce to the point that I am not worried anymore.

Lutzo, The master mechanic for Race Prep Motors whom cars you see racing at Grand Am, says they use the red line sometimes taking corners.

Thanks.

Mike: I hope you didn't take what I said as you not knowing what your doing...as it was not my intent. Yourshift points will change depending on track conditions, air temps, etc, so unless you can accurately dial in the correct point the light will come on each visit to the track, you're stuck listening to the engine.

Oh no, not at all. This is the beauty of this forum. Discussion to bring up the best points.

I'm gonna weigh in on the 1999Porsche911, TD, et al, side of this debate. I agree that one should learn to "feel" the car and what is happening rather than "reading" it from a tach or light. I think you should know your car well enough to know if an upshift or downshift is desirable rather than having to read an instrument to find out. Also, engine load is as important in determining shift points as rpm. How will a rpm-signaled light analyze engine load in telling you when to shift? For example, going uphill, one might hold a gear until redline due to the increased load; short shifting on a downhill section of lesser load may be advantageous to greater speed. Making these decisions and others, and implementing them, is the essence of driving, IMHO.

Mike anytime, and as long as I live there you always have a place to stay, Garage could be a little tight , but they WILL go in...!!It's too bad you werent in B-Town longer!!

Lee and all, I have the Pivot Super Shift Lamp M and X in my two cars and I can't complain, totally reversible installation since rpm signal is picked up from the cigarette ligter socket. Check out: www.the-pivot.co.jp/index2-e.html Ciao, Johannes E. GT3 CS

Ok I want to purchase this, I can't seem to find someone that has it, any one if one of our sponsors sell it?? Its cheap enough that i am willing to try it.. Thanks in advance Paul

Paul, Are you talking about the Sparco above in my post? Not affiliated, but they are available at www.ogracing.com here in VA for the price posted above. they said shipping maybe around 8 to 10 dollars. I'm about to pull the trigger. I posted this same thread in the Racing & Driver's Ed Forum and they posted a lot of different shift lights if you're still deciding which model. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...58#post2397158 But it looks like that the sparco above has the best quality. Next one I'm looking at is the data tool rev light.

Johannes, Thanks. Is it pretty accurate compared to the cars tach being connected just from the lighter?

Could just get a tiptronic..

Mike, It's accuracy doesn't matter since you set the shift point. Rev the engine to desired rpm to where you want the ligt to come on, push the set button and you are done. It saves the shift point in it's memory even after unplugging it. Pivot's products are super for trackday junkies and DE events. Ciao, Johannes E. GT3 CS

Picks up everything from the lighter connection right? I'm thinking thats for power only, does it work like the Gtech, where there's g sensor inside the unit? No tach sensor wire right?

Mike, Picks up the rpm signal from the cig lighter and powers the unit. No Gtech g sensor at all, just rpm pick up and shiftlight function. Ciao, Johannes E. GT3 CS

By the way, my primary for getting this is to warn me than I'm about to hit red line. Not to tell me when to shift. I'm gonna start by setting it about 500rpm less than the red line so a have a split second to react.