When to shift?

It could. I shift at 5500.

I have a manual valve body. You want to shift and go thru the traps at close to the same rpm. Because of my gear and tire I only go thru the traps at about 4700... I have a stock bottom end so I don't want to get to much closer to 6000 as I'm afraid it will come apart.... If you have a good bottom end 6000 should be no problem.

If yours is shifting early it could be out of the power range of the cam/converter and will defiantly effect ET.

As you get more comfortable you will NEED to learn to watch your gauges... its very important. Get a shift light too... you cant miss your shift point then.