How do YOU drive your MSP?

[MSP#735]

Ok, i jsut recently purchased a boost gauge and actually know how much im boosting (5 PSI (jerkit) ) which kinda sucks but anyway.....prior to my purchasing my gauge i shifted around 3000 or 4000 (not knowing when i boosted) now that i know, i shift at around 2800 to 3000 (minimizing the amount i boost).....my question is, is it better to shift at higher RPM or lower? i was told that when shifting at higher RPM it doesnt cause as much stress on the engine/turbo. The way i shift now, it seems like im ALWAYS boosting....what do i need to do??

[jeffmsp]

you do not have to go into boost, I drive around town all the time without going into boost, saves gas.

[JONBOY688]

i drive my msp balls to the wall!!!! haha had to do it

[celdridge]

i drive my msp balls to the wall!!!! haha had to do it


I would have to agree with balls to tha wall.

[jersey_emt]

I almost always boost. When driving 'normally' to work I'll shift around 4K, boosting to about half of full boost. That mixed in with going to redline several times a day as well as the random stoplight battle to the speed limit or when a lane merges, nets me 25-27mpg on average.

[MSP#735]

so.........does 'normal driving' put less or more stress on the turbo/engine?

[ARunto]

i drive it like it's supposed to be drivin. i usually get into boost all the time driving around town. on the freeway though i don't boost too much since those are the times i'm conserving gas. but sometimes i can't help it and just have to hear the turbo spool, intake noise, and the bov. woosh wooosh!! :)

[BradC]

Like I stole it! (thumb)

[jflo]

i'm trying to get the most mileage out of my car these days since gas is expensive...so i usually don't go into boost unless i can't take it anymore. shift at around between 3000 and 4000 rpm, keeping the boost needle under or @ 0. and try keeping the same speed driving on the highway without too much variance. also try staying at 70mph at most, or keep it under 4000rpm in 5th.

[goku4658]

but sometimes i can't help it and just have to hear the turbo spool, intake noise, and the bov. woosh wooosh!! :)
thats me exactly!

[BOOSTR]

Whats the point of keeping a turbo car out of boost? I just do not get that. If you are after low mpg's than normal aspiration is better suited for you.

I guess the answer to your question depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you want to get the most MPG's possible, then low rpm shifting is the way to go. If you want to really enjoy the car and work the turbo, you will need to use some more RPMs.

But to me, this car is made to be driven hard in a controlled fashion.

[TheJohnny]

Jersey, how the hell are you getting 25 mpg..???? insane I tell you. I get 19 to 21 at the most with 91 octane here in Vegas.

Anyway, I drive my car hard as well... stock boost level. Nothing really near the redline but around 4k shifts most of the day. Oh stock boost is around 7.

[noclue119]

boost every gear... I'm on my second turbo with 14k miles.....

[mazdaowner123]

I drive it like Jersey_EMT with the same results.

~brian

[ONRAILS]

You are shifting below 3k-4k rpms in the 2-4th gears. So when you are that low on the rpm range, it will need to get up in the boost to get going!

You know how I drive mine! Shift 5k-6k in 1st-3rd gear... daily driving, redline when racing... I like the rpm's up high!

Also, you are not necessarily going WOT when shifting at higher rpm's.

[jersey_emt]

Jersey, how the hell are you getting 25 mpg..???? insane I tell you. I get 19 to 21 at the most with 91 octane here in Vegas.

Anyway, I drive my car hard as well... stock boost level. Nothing really near the redline but around 4k shifts most of the day. Oh stock boost is around 7.

I have no problem getting well over 400 miles out of a single tank if I drive like a granny. I've gotten over 35mpg when I needed to...of course it was no fun

[protegeV]

DAMN(shocked)

the most, and i mean MOST Ive ever gotten out of a tank was just over 325miles..I average about 275miles per tank...SO either the MSP has a bigger tank, or my car sucks, literally.

[BlkZoomZoom]

I beat this thing so bad.......I'm soo mean too it.

[jersey_emt]

DAMN(shocked)

the most, and i mean MOST Ive ever gotten out of a tank was just over 325miles..I average about 275miles per tank...SO either the MSP has a bigger tank, or my car sucks, literally.

I can drive the piss out of my car and still get 275 miles out of a tank.

[protegeV]

damn, P5 must have a smaller tank cuz I get well under 250miles driving it like that

[Dr.Sound]

i gots to get my dose of turkey every day......
what can i say, i'm an addict.

[yashooa]

When it was new I was real easy on it but that all ended a while back. Now it's full throttle jabs on and off the Highway and steady 12PSI runs through the curves whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Funny thing is I get about 400 miles out of 12 gallons even with the way I drive. Of course I do spend way too much time stuck in stop and go traffic in between the fun bits :(

[yashooa]

i gots to get my dose of turkey every day......
what can i say, i'm an addict.TURKEY WHORE...

[Dr.Sound]

TURKEY WHORE...yes....yes i am :(

[yashooa]

yes....yes i am :(Well that's good cause I be the TURKEY PIMP and I needs my money!
Work you little feathered bitches WORK!

[low_psi]

I drive mine to the bodyshop. Oh wait, drove behind it...

[Dr.Sound]

^ LMAO @ yash!!!

[Demonic-Speed]

I drive Naked:)

[protegeV]

way to quote yurself ;)(lol2)

[jflo]

yes....yes i am :(
me too sadly...

[dupa12345]

i feel sorry for those of you that say that you try not to hit the boost .. i know those are not really high rpm cars but still if yout sole purpose is to preserve gas and accelerate slow why did you get an msp - just for the badge? .. youd be better off with the regular protege -turbo.

[EvilMSP]

I almost always boost. When driving 'normally' to work I'll shift around 4K, boosting to about half of full boost. That mixed in with going to redline several times a day as well as the random stoplight battle to the speed limit or when a lane merges, nets me 25-27mpg on average.
Your the same as me (nana)

[NeverSober]

Hard

[peepsalot]

Jersey, how the hell are you getting 25 mpg..???? insane I tell you. I get 19 to 21 at the most with 91 octane here in Vegas.

Anyway, I drive my car hard as well... stock boost level. Nothing really near the redline but around 4k shifts most of the day. Oh stock boost is around 7.
(werd)
I get about 20mpg pretty consistently. I drive pretty hard, stock boost, no hardcore mods.

[chillinmcmillan]

drive it hard, why the hell not, if your not boosting then trade it in for a base 3

[speedhawaii]

just dont get on the gas so much. i shift at 3k

[thunder]

fast but smooth... heel and toe all the time...

[acidbbg]

<~~~~~No MSP!

But my IHI turbo spools so f_ken quick..that it's hard not to go into boost.

I find myself constantly boosting on the highways...And city driving is even worst..i alwayz hit boost..with light throttle in 1st & 2nd!

About your question..it's better to stay out of boost to save on fuel.

But otherwise..balls to the walls! rofl

Chas

[geomatics_tech]

With a blunt...................... ..........................or two

[Rich24km]

i drive my shit pretty damn hard. But I drive it smoothly and don't slam it into the next gear unless i'm trying to get up to speed as fast as i can. I spin through 2nd every couple weeks or when someone challenges me and won't leave me alone. BUt i try not to race too much. Cops suck. But i also get the same gas mileage jersey does. :) I love my mazdaspeed.