OK. Started to hijack another thread with this, so I thought I'd do the right thing and start my own thread on it.

I was wondering why 6th is geared so low. My RPM's are up there when cruising on the highway. I was wondering if it's possible for a trans guy to pop that gear out of there and put a taller one in.

In my original comments, I was saying my RPM's are up over 4,000 when cruising on the highway, and I thought that was somewhere around 95-110 MPH. I wasn't sure though and said I'd check.

OK, so at 90 MPH I'm at about 3,400 RPM in 6th. If I drop down to 5th, it's 3,800 RPM. Not much of a spread there. I'd like to drop at least 1,000 RPM going from 5th to 6th.

 

I was actually going to start a thread about this myself. My issue is that I never use 5th gear... literally, never. Maybe 10 times since I owned the car. I go right from 4th to 6th... there is little reason to go to 5th. 4th does all the acceleration I need.

5th simply isn't far enough from 6th to provide passing power too...

 

My shift pattern is usually straight across, for the most part. Mostly 2-4-6.
If I'm starting on a hill, then I'll usually do 1-3-5-6, unless it's a steep hill, then I may throw second in there.

Passing on the highway, once you're above 90, 5th is usually fine.

Getting onto the highway - 3rd coming off the ramp and, if there's a bit of traffic and I need to work my way to the left lane, stay in 3rd so I can work on/off the gas, then blast off in the left lane.

 

I believe it would be easier to throw tallergear in the rear end than just one in the tranny, The lay shaft and power shaft gears are kinda designed as a complete set so they fit together.

I may be wrong here but normally, to get a higher output in thetop gear one steps up the rear end vers the tranny.

This would also give first gear a better longer launch but not a faster one.

Fot the record, I often skip 5th as well going up. But it sure comes in handy during traffic. Third is great in heavy rubbernecking as you can stay off the brake and the clutch mostly.

roadster with a stick

 

Just for the record whenever I have followed a 6 speed manual while in my 5 speed Auto-stick I find that the rpm's in your 6th gear are exactly the same as my rpm's in the 5th gear.


85mph @ 3000 rpm's

 

Follow manuals a lot I presume?

no surpise there Gary. Damm auto sticks are always behind us 6 spds.

roadster with a stick

 

But man the auto stick's 3rd gear is so much fun while drive'n da twisties!

 

Franc, I know your mother warned you about telling tall tales.....

 

I didn't listen to her either.

My 6 spd Autostick shifts just fine Doc. But thanks for asskin'.

 

which stick were you talkin' about then? have a nice day....

 

Well not "Exactly" Gary.


5 speed Automatic

Trans. Gear Ratio/Overall Ratio_________60 mph at 2250 rpm

3.93:1________12.85:1
2.41:1_________7.88:1
1.49:1_________4.87:1
1.00:1_________3.27:1
0.83.1_________2.71:1

6 speed Manual

Trans. Gear Ratio/Overall Ratio_________60 mph at 2200 rpm

4.46:1_______14.58:1
2.61:1________8.55:1
1.72:1________5.63:1
1.25:1________4.07:1
1.00:1________3.27:1
0.84:1________2.74:1


These statistics come from Motor Trend and Road & Track magazines.
What I can't figure out is how the 6 spd with its "lower" final drive ratio of 2.74:1 vs the automatics 2.71:1 turns 50 rpm "less" than the atomatic does at 60 mph.

Joliet J. Your least expensive (and probably only way) to lower those highway RPM's would be to go to a taller rear tire.
Just by increasing your tires diameter by 1", it would put your final "overdrive" ratio closer to something in the 2.55:1 range. Of course, it would raise all the other gear ratio's as well, so it would slow your acceleration some what. It's a trade off, and a decision only you can make according to the kind of driving you prefer.

 

i need to talk to you about shifting in this car. I didnt know how to drive a stick shift and i bought a rossfire from tulsa oklahoma drove it to nashville tn no major concern i knew how to shift but its the downshifting im not so sure about on this car can anyone help

 

Since the subject came up on down shifting, I'd be interested in thoughts/comments.

When coming to a (normal) stop, is it better to downshift, which would help slow the vehicle, or just go to neutral and use the brakes...???

I always thought going to neutral on a stop was better/smarter, as why wear on the clutch, which is an expensive fix/replacement, then wearing on the brakes.

I'd be interested in comments...

Thanx...

 

When I feel like it I will downshift but mostly I use the brakes. Around town you should read the traffic and judge when you can freewheel and when to put it back into a suitable gear. Going through the gears uses gas, your clutch and gearbox. Being cheap I'll freewheel it, this car is an easy roller and why waste gas when you do not have to and your going nowhere fast anyway.
In snow and ice its a different story, but mine never sees either.
My car is going to get one last wash and polish before I put it down for the winter.

 

Well, technically, it's illegal (in Illinois) to coast or stop with your car in neutral, so there's that.

On a normal stop, I typically don't do either. I just apply the brakes, with the car in whatever gear it's in, and push in the clutch right at the moment where it's necessary. I think, technically speaking, that is the "right" way to do it.

Coming to a quick stop, or just having a good time, I drop to a low enough gear and pop the clutch out so it locks up the back tires for a second. Not as easy to do in the car as it is on my bike.

 

Do you own an AMCO transmission shop franicise ?

 

Do not put that in your advert when you're trying to sell this car, but we will remember so maybe you should not put the ad on this site.

 

When I'm done with a car or any other vehicle, it's pretty much going for scrap.

 

you use less gas when engind braking than you do coasting because once you let off the gas in gear it cuts almost all of the fuel supply.

 

Some people drive their stick shifters like they were automatics. Press gas for go press brakes for stop. Nothing wrong with it.

However there are those who wish to participate more with the movement of the vehicle over the ground. They tend to downshift and upshift based on the management of momentum.

Jane Bridges told metheir is actuallya form of racing called momentum driving. As i understand it,those guys spend a lot of time bumping into each other. Not recommended for our Crossies.

It is not an effort to save gas or brakes. it is simply a deeper engagement of the driver to the activity of the vehicle.

Downshifting to slow for stops signs iss more habit than anything but doing so to make a turn actually improves steerig control. By placing the power thrust reversal tothe back wheels andleaving the front wheels to simply steer the action of the front wheels is100% directional control.

During aggresive turns, the resistance of the rear wheels tends to let them slip to the out side of teh turn, theus helping the car navigate the corner.
In a final assement, as you have downshifted, you are tranferring the momentum of the car into the rpm's of the engine allowing for higher available HP for coming out of the turn.

And, you are already in the lower gear making the entire process efficient.

Some fools (myself included) drive this way all the time. Habit. They don't even think about the action, the clutching, the motor revs. It just happens automicaly, like breathing.

Which is why I claim that my 6 spd manual shifts smoothly and automaticaly, unless I think about it.


roadster with a stick

"the way it should be"