I was thinking that my VIAS was bad considering when me and my friend(stock) go at it, he would just pull so much harder than me(intake, exhaust). I checked to see if the "L" piece moved up when i hit 5k and it did. I never really noticed the engine work harder until i read up the article on the VIAS. I hit wot and i noticed that it worked just a LITTLE bit harder after 5k. I also noticed that my gears shift at 6k with O/D on and 5 1/2k with it off. Is this right? Isnt the car supposed to hit redline and then shift at Wot? I never really noticed it b4 but maybe this is why my friend pulls harder than me? And i was also wondering what the point of the Vias was if it only lasted b/t 5-6k. I have an auto. Is this working correctly?
Since the "L" piece moved i was considering cleaning out the Vias box. I saw on someones writeup that it was very dirty in there. Should i even bother? Hearing that the Cup in the VIAS is sensitive, i dont want to take it off and then end up breaking a perfectly fine VIAS (if it is working fine)
All feedback is VERY appreciated. Im trying to figure this out..
Thank you

 

Yup, your VIA seems to function properly. Mine opens too when it hits 5K. Your shifting is fine too, it will auto-shift at about 6.1K. With manual shifting you can get it closer to red line though beware as it will cut out as soon as you hit it. IMO, nothing to be cleaned in VIA unless it is mulfunctioning and then it needs repair..

 

the easiest way to see if the VIAS is broken would be to get 3 pulls on the dyno. check local shops for dyno days which in my area typically go for around 40-60 bucks for 3 pulls with a/f. the actual power valve in the manifold gets dirty but cleaning it will do nothing in relation to fixing it. the cup is sensitive and is most likely the culprit if yours is broken.
as noted above, the shifting is fine except that yours shifts at 5.5k rpms with the o/d off. i hit 6k in every gear in drive and no different when o/d is off. i typically manually shift mine to hit right before redline to get most of out it.