Whats the best gear

**UKFIVEO** · 12-12-2002, 10:52 AM

fanglemeister wrote

Remember that you must not use WOT in 5th gear!

Oh dear!

I didn't know this

Had my car up to 154mph in 5th (5200 rpm) WOT all the way. Is 5th particularly weak? I had heard AOD cars were a problem but not manuals

Jeff

**fanglemeister** · 12-12-2002, 02:58 PM

Yep 5th gear is the teeny-weeny gearset, no meat to it at all! It's not "if" but "when", it lets go, if you use it under WOT very often. You'll get a couple dozen hard pulls out of it, but let's just say many many guys have BTDT, & have the official mug and Tshirt. :)

I'm running a Tremec 3550 now, it should be a little better in this regard due to the wider gear case packaging, & the T56 is even better. But the packaging of 5th gear in any of the popular 5 speeds is not too great, mostly it's just in there for cruising along at relaxed rpm. I haven't heard much of this problem with the T56s but anything beyond 1:1 in an oem stick tranny is suspect in my book.

**Doug** · 12-12-2002, 09:43 PM

I have ran all of them (4.10,3.73,3.55,3.27,3.08,and 2.73) over the years. In my coupe with the AOD(10.8@126 on a 26X10.50x15) I ran a 4.10 and I ran out of gear at 124 shifting at 6,000rpm. I switched to a 3.73 and a 28x10.50x15 just so I could get more mph without hurting my 60 foot times. On my daily driver I run a 3.55 with a 5 speed. It still runs 8.30@86mph in the eighth with gears, exhaust and an SN2000(6 pounds of boost). If your car has a mild motor and a Novi 1000, I would suggest 3.73's.
Doug

**UKFIVEO** · 12-13-2002, 04:16 AM

Doug,

I currently run a 26x9 Hoosier slick and 3.55s, I have ordered 28x10s to replace them with. Still unsure if this is wise or not, I am getting a 50/50 split from anyone with an opinion!

I do hope to make more power next year, but do not want to slow down with too large a tire. What do you think?

Thanks

Jeff

**Doug** · 12-13-2002, 09:15 AM

Hey Jeff,
I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think I read a post from you that said you were upping the boost or the HP? You may run the same MPH or a couple MPH faster if you up the power level, but your ET will drop alot and your top end stability will be greatly improved. You will also get better 60 foot times because you can leave at higher RPM's and not spin so much. You may have to do a little clearancing of the inner fenderwells and roll the fender lips to get them to clear. Don't forget, these tires grow ALOT over 100 mph. Your ET is only 4 mph slower than mine, but almost a second slower. You are either spinning alot, your car is really heavy, or you shift like my grandmother
:D . I have seen cars run 10.90's@123, so there is no reason why you shouldn't run mid 10's next season. I guess when my wife and I go to Europe next year, we can come stay at your house and I can make a couple of passes for ya.
Doug

**1sicklx** · 12-16-2002, 12:29 AM

my vote is for 3.73 for a street/track car...

**99GT-UJSTLST** · 12-16-2002, 01:04 AM

i say 373
410 are high for high way

**UKFIVEO** · 12-16-2002, 09:37 AM

Vey funny Doug:)

At least mine is a 5 speed:D Must be the track!!!

Seriously I can't bring myself to powershift this car, my foot allways seems to lift:o I will get it in the tens somehow! Are you really coming to Europe, I live in Cambridge which is around 50 miles from London and is a famous university city. If you are headed this way be sure to visit. You can have a go in the 5.0 at the track as well if you like.

Jeff