Is it safe to shift there? Meaning will it harm the motor? Yes, I believe it's safe, I mean it's not going to damage anything if that's what you mean by safe. However, I think that the MPG's will suffer VS shifting earlier at say 3K or so.

That's just my opinion though, and you know what they say about those

 

Alright thanks. The only reason I asked is because I love quick acceleration. I'm only going to do this on the highways though. Thanks

I'd say there is more torque available in the 3,500 - 4,000 RPM range with the TD04, by 5,000 it's seriously running out of breath. I'll shift around 4K driving spiritedly, and around 3K in normal situations.

Stan

Thanks a lot Stan.

For the original poster your questions are quite vague and thus difficult to answer.

It is true that 09-10 naturally aspirated (i.e., non-turbo) Foresters make most torque at higher rpm than the older models did (peak at 4400 instead of 3800-4000); that usually means that you will want to upshift later better acceleration, and that the low-end will feel slightly more "sluggish". It is still safe to shift whenever you want, for as long as you do not (1) lug the engine (rpm too low, e.g. below 1500), and (2) go above redline (rpm too high, above 6500). As to exactly when I shift, it all depends on circumstances (speed, gear, needed acceleration or deceleration, road conditions, curves, other cars, surface conditions etc. etc. etc.)

Thanks.

 

I'd say there is more torque available in the 3,500 - 4,000 RPM range with the TD04, by 5,000 it's seriously running out of breath. I'll shift around 4K driving spiritedly, and around 3K in normal situations.

Stan

 

Agreed.

 

For the original poster your questions are quite vague and thus difficult to answer.

It is true that 09-10 naturally aspirated (i.e., non-turbo) Foresters make most torque at higher rpm than the older models did (peak at 4400 instead of 3800-4000); that usually means that you will want to upshift later better acceleration, and that the low-end will feel slightly more "sluggish". It is still safe to shift whenever you want, for as long as you do not (1) lug the engine (rpm too low, e.g. below 1500), and (2) go above redline (rpm too high, above 6500). As to exactly when I shift, it all depends on circumstances (speed, gear, needed acceleration or deceleration, road conditions, curves, other cars, surface conditions etc. etc. etc.)

 

As long as you are not hitting a readline or lugging than you good. I shift right at the peak if I am in the mood for spirited driving. But in most situation this is not necessary and just wastes gas.

 

I shift right at the peak if I am in the mood for spirited driving. But in most situation this is not necessary and just wastes gas.

For real spirited driving, you need to bring it to redline (that gives you best acceleration in older NAs on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts; 3-4 goes at ~6100-6200 rpm; with higher torque peak in '09-10, it'd definitely be faster to go to redline on 3-4 shift as well).

P.S. Going to redline means shifting at redline without hitting rev limiter.

P.P.S. Further gains can be had by doing really fast shifts with clutch dump with only a brief pause on throttle (this is especially impressive on 1-2 shift, even for NA's puny 170 hp); slight increase in clutch wear is to be expected, but totally worth it.

 

You love quick acceleration? Hmmm...NA Fozzy does not have that.

However, if you get a CBE that powerband opens up and it's pretty fun. But you do lose some low end...which again, sucks for that acceleration.

Don't mind me. I want a 07 XT manual.

 

Ethan-
Noting your post count, your avatar with a 5 speed knob, and your '01 Forester ownership, I'd answer your post this way:
1) everything's relative...your Forester is non-aspirated, which is to say, without turbo. In the context of all FOresters, the 01 and other non-aspirated Foresters might be considered sluggish (by those of our elitist contingent of this forum).
2) To get the most acceleration out of the n/a Foresters, 4000 to 5000 rpm shift points might be about right...the horsepower/torque curves would suggest that anywhere between 3500 and 5500 rpms would allow for more spirited driving, as needed by circumtance.
3) To be using these shift points, you must consider your surroundings and safe operation at the speeds these rpms generate. I can think of a number of curvy roads with great preview of coming curves, where second and third gear hard running would be lots of fun. Notice that I said contingent on preview of roads, so that there are no suprises!
4) I drive an 04 FXT, arguably the fastest stock year and model Forester yet made by SOA. With a 4EAT, the shift points can be forced as low as 2500 rpms and as high as redline. With the turbo (small as it is, and nothing like those selected by modders on this forum), running full throttle from 3500 rpms and up quickly becomes a handful in tight corners, and I'll usually lock in first or second in this context (track or favorite twisties), selecting third for larger radius curves, where access to second is still available on demand (shifting down manually at speeds less than 55 mph).

I think the thing to remember is that it is only superb engineering that permits SUbarus and Porsches to get the outputs and engine speeds they get from a boxer engine design. Low end torque permits 'shortshifting' with still good acceleration, and much longer engine life.
Higher engine speeds and outputs are much easier (read cheaper) to obtain from inline engine designs (one of my favorites, the Honda S2000, which generates more horsepower than the larger turbocharged Subaru 2.5 liter engine, from an engine that isn't supercharged and is only 80% of the engine size. But at 10,000 rpm. The S2000 is a dog if upshifted in the 3500 to 5500 rpm range...but hang on when running 8500 and up~!~!
-Quick

 

2) To get the most acceleration out of the n/a Foresters, 4000 to 5000 rpm shift points might be about right...the horsepower/torque curves would suggest that anywhere between 3500 and 5500 rpms would allow for more spirited driving, as needed by circumtance.

Sorry, but this is not true. The aforementioned shifts points will results in the (NA) engine being in powerband most of the time (i.e., producing most torque), but that does not translate into faster acceleration, as you also have gear ratio to worry about. So it's redline shifts for us AN guys for quickest getaway (and most stock XTs, too, btw - just floor it and see where you AUTO transmission shifts).