your slipper setting is up to you but they work well if you bottom it out then back it out 1/8 to 1/4 turn depending on surface you running on. and as far as the shift point still sounds like its taking to long to shift it shouldn't take half a straightaway to get into second gear should be shifting about 10 feet or so out of the turn the .18 has enough power to pull that second gear with ease. my o.s. .18 runs around 210 to 220 depending on weather