i don't think the argument is about whether it's possible in reality. we know it's possible to stay in lift after the 1-2 upchange. i think the point is that you shouldn't have to slip the clutch or perform any super fast super fancy slick shift to stay in the powerband, just like in the typeR. and also if u have to slip the clutch on the upshift then u're not transferring all the power to the ground, blah blah blah, but still, we know that staying in lift gives u that much more speed after the upchange. so yeah the point in contention is if toyota makes the hi-cam zone so narrow, why isn't the gearing matched any better so that all u only need to do is a decent brisk upshift to stay in the powerband. and if toyota matched better gearing, wouldn't it make the stivo nicer to drive? :) ... or maybe a wider hi-cam zone :P btw, where's that boost gauge video!! Unless you're talking matching a CVT with the 2ZZ-GE the gearing will always be a compromise. Lets get this straight, we are not arguing about gear ratios but rather how close the ratios of consecutive gears are. that is what keeps you in the power band on upshifts once you get there. If you want the gearing any closer, you'll probably need an 8speed tranny. LOL a 1.8ltr hi revving engine (tuned for top end) is always going to have a narrow power band no matter how many CAI's you put on it. You can't widen the power band by simply making lift kick in earlier, as the engagement point is a biproduct of how much air the pistons can suck into the engine - and being a 1.8, that's not much (hence the high revs needed). Forced induction (as with Bill) or bigger displacement (stroker kit) are the only solutions. So with that said, i thik Toyota have done the best they can with the powerband and the gearing for street/highway drivability.