Gear ratios Qs? - AR15.COM

Posted: 8/15/2005 4:24:44 AM EDT

I have 3.4L V6 with a five speed. Rarely use 5th gear unless I'm on a long highway trip because I like drive in the meat of the powerband.
Is 5th gear generally an overdrive or 1/1 ratio? It's pretty anemic driving in 5th, definitely for cruising and for passing a downshift is a requirement unless you have all day to make the pass.
And: How much gas do you think I'd save by upshifting to 5th whenever possible?

Posted: 8/15/2005 4:32:21 AM EDT

[#1]

What kind of vehicle?

Posted: 8/15/2005 4:57:09 AM EDT

[#2]

99.9% of cars 4 th is 1-1 and 5th is a .86 or .75 depending on v6 or v8 in your case id be willing to be it's a .86 -1 ratio in 5th

Posted: 8/15/2005 5:22:57 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
99.9% of cars 4 th is 1-1 and 5th is a .86 or .75 depending on v6 or v8 in your case id be willing to be it's a .86 -1 ratio in 5th

Seat of the pants testing agrees with this.

All other things being equal, would that equate to 15% mileage increase?

(it's a Firechicken)

Posted: 8/15/2005 5:29:11 AM EDT

[#4]

I do the same thing CP. I never use fifth unless I'm on the highway. I've never firgured out the gas mileage because my speedometer is broken.
At 75 miles an hour (before speedometer broke:) in fifth gear my car was revving at 2300 rpm. Dropping to fourth would bump the rev's up close to 3 grand.
It's got to help your gas mileage.

Posted: 8/15/2005 11:04:53 AM EDT

[#5]

It's worth a couple miles to the gallon. I was trying to figure how much the difference in mileage would be on a GT Mustang after changing the rear gear. After a little pencil work, I realized that 4th with the current ratio would be about equal to fifth with the new. If you are running 60 or better, slide it on up into 5th.

Posted: 8/15/2005 1:08:54 PM EDT

[#6]

Fifth is an overdrive gear. It is not a 1/1 gear. Either 3rd or 4th will be the 1/1 gear in your car. Probably 3rd.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:08:47 PM EDT

[#7]

I know it makes a pretty big difference in my cars, although I have a 3.85 FD, so it is really noticable.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Gear ratios Qs?

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