I didn't say shifting at 7,000 was the optimal shift point. I said the engine was easily capible of it. I haven't been able to find a torque or HP curve on the 215 HP motor ( you wouldn't happen to have one you might share with us would you Eric?), but since the peak HP for the 215 motor is advertised at 5,700 rpm, 6,000 aint maken it as the optimal shift point. 6,500 rpm would be closer to optimal - considering there is an approx 1,200 rpm loss between gears. One thing is for sure, if you wind it up to the rpm limiter (6,000 rpm), the party is over, cause it's like turning the key off!