The redlines?
 

How to get over the redline?

put it in first, and jam on the gas. or cruise in fifth, and put it in first gear really fast.

:D

dont do it.

the "redline" of your engine is the point where it will BREAK if you push it any further...

to INCREASE the redline you need lightened valvetrain components like springs and retainers...

the less reciprocating mass and friction the higher the redline (at somepoint it becomes too much for even the lightest assembly... valves start to float (stay open longer then they should) and start slapping pistons..

Who would wanna run pass the redline anyway? As explained clearly by nonov, it must have those modifications/upgrade to be even worth doing it. Any car should not be driven pass the "peak horsepower and/or peak torque". Anything above that is useless.

Clarify? Ideal shift point to stay in the powerband is probably a little higher than peak power.

Does anyone else get the impression that pbateson didn't post a well-formulated question?

Well... I'm with mushroom on this one...

My civic hits peak around 6800 or so... but if you don't rev it out (while it looses power) to redline you will be dropped into the next gear WAY below vtec there by giving poorer 1/4 times...

I think what Paul's concern is that he has an automatic transmission, and it probably shifts a few 100 RPM's shy of the redline. Paul, if you really wanted to go above the redline (again, a bad idea) you can get a new computer that might boost it up a bit higher.

-Ducky