HaklePrime

This is what the sequence should look like, all things working perfectly.

-1.0 sec Your energy tics to 42-46, w/e
-0.5 sec You Shred
0.0 sec- You get 4 points up and you have 0/2/4 energy
0.0-.25 sec You shift up, you white hit
0.25-0.5 sec You shift down- you have 40 energy
1.0 sec You have 60 energy(This is the part people have a problem understanding, and where the timing is crucial.)
1.5 sec You Shred
1.5 - 2.0 sec You white hit
3.0 sec Your energy tics to 38, you white hit
3.5 sec Mangle fades
4.0 sec You white hit
5.0 sec Your energy tics to 58, you white hit
6.0 sec You Rip, you white hit
7.0 sec Your Energy tics to 48, you Mangle, you white hit
8.0 sec Your Rip tics, with a nice hot cup o' mangel

I'm not really sure why you aren't seeing the importance of the timing required for the shift up/down. You understand that the 2 second "Energy Timer" never stops, right? It never resets, it tics constantly. The timing is very much the most important element to powershifting. I strongly suggest you try it, instead of theorizing.

Another point about Mangle/Shred vs 2 white hits and 2.5 seconds, is the fact that Mangle/Shred power Rip, through CPs, whereas white hits do not. So, logically, powershifting allows for faster CP generation, which in turn allows for less time between Rips.