Fifth Gear

[speedracer]

No, I'm not talking about the TV show, Fifth Gear.

I'm talking about the 5th gear in the Spider. In terms of RPM, I only get a drop of about 300 or so shifting from 4th gear to 5th. Not exactly what I would call an overdrive, although I can't really remember if their was such a thing as overdrive in the 70's. It's certainly better than having just a 4 speed box, but it would be nice to see more of an RPM drop.

So is the 5th gear in the Spider just another gear? And why such a small drop in RPM's?

[Redline]

4th and a half. It's normal, they like to rev.

[garion]

4th and a half. It's normal, they like to rev.

Thats expected advice from someone who calls themselves "Redline"

[Redline]

True, but it's lovely how happy they are to just hum along at 4000 rpm on the motorway in 5th, and acceleration is just a prod of the pedal away, instead of a downshift. My old twin-cam Toyota had the same frantic 5th gear and I wouldn't want it any other way. If I want relaxed cruising and fuel savings, we take our diesel.

[focodave]

No, I'm not talking about the TV show, Fifth Gear.

I'm talking about the 5th gear in the Spider. In terms of RPM, I only get a drop of about 300 or so shifting from 4th gear to 5th. Not exactly what I would call an overdrive, although I can't really remember if their was such a thing as overdrive in the 70's. It's certainly better than having just a 4 speed box, but it would be nice to see more of an RPM drop.

So is the 5th gear in the Spider just another gear? And why such a small drop in RPM's?

Definitely normal for these cars. I turn about 4K RPM at 70 MPH.
My Ford Expedition revs at less than 2000 RPM at 70- MPH!
As Americans, we are conditioned to think that an engine continuously revving at 4000 RPM is unnerving, because we are so used to our big American engines cruising the highway at half that RPM.
You just have to get used to it. In time, you will think nothing of it.
But it does take some getting used to.
These cars also make a lot of noise at highway speeds.
Think of it as a symphony of sounds, as opposed to a cacophony of sounds.
Part of the "charm".
Enjoy!

[speedracer]

True, but it's lovely how happy they are to just hum along at 4000 rpm on the motorway in 5th, and acceleration is just a prod of the pedal away, instead of a downshift. My old twin-cam Toyota had the same frantic 5th gear and I wouldn't want it any other way. If I want relaxed cruising and fuel savings, we take our diesel.

Well said Redline.

I also like the way these twin cams can rev so freely mile after mile and as you said, more power is just a pedal push away, no downshift needed! It just takes some getting used to, since modern cars lope along at 2000 to 2500 RPM at highway speeds.

[speedracer]

Definitely normal for these cars. I turn about 4K RPM at 70 MPH.
My Ford Expedition revs at less than 2000 RPM at 70- MPH!
As Americans, we are conditioned to think that an engine continuously revving at 4000 RPM is unnerving, because we are so used to our big American engines cruising the highway at half that RPM.
You just have to get used to it. In time, you will think nothing of it.
But it does take some getting used to.
These cars also make a lot of noise at highway speeds.
Think of it as a symphony of sounds, as opposed to a cacophony of sounds.
Part of the "charm".
Enjoy!

Looks like I posted my last post at exactly the same time as you just did!

Yes, a little unnerving at first, but I'm happy to hear that little engine rev!

[wiggo]

...I only get a drop of about 300 or so shifting from 4th gear to 5th.

Hi speedracer,
This german company have a conversion which they claim drops 800 RPMs.
http://www.fiat124spiderservice.de/html ... inst_.html

[Daniel]

4th and a half. It's normal, they like to rev.

Thats expected advice from someone who calls themselves "Redline"

your funny

[Daniel]

Hi Jim

Many small cars of this era rev'd high like our spiders on the fwy they just geared them low compared to american steel
and others with more power. Ask Csaba when he is going to get that 5 larger gear over drive that he has copied maybe
we can start bugging him and he'll take enough orders to want to do this...

[Redline]

My motor is just getting into its sweet spot when my differential is hitting its nasty spot.

120 kph is when all hell breaks loose in my world.

[TX82FIAT]

Hi speedracer,
This german company have a conversion which they claim drops 800 RPMs.
http://www.fiat124spiderservice.de/html ... inst_.html

"That's what she said." I should have taken German or Chinease in high school.

Wir führen auch größere Alu - Getriebeölwannen mit Mehrvolumen und großem Kühleffekt, sowie Ölzusätze usw. So wird Ihr Getriebe lange Zeit problemlos laufen. Ebenso kann gleich bei der Reparatur ein langer 5.Gang mit ca. 800 Umdrehungen Drehzahlreduzierung eingebaut werden.

[azruss]

type it into the computer and see if you get a translation.

[Tobi]

They don't just sell the parts, one would have to send the transmission to Germany so they could do the work.

[speedracer]

They don't just sell the parts, one would have to send the transmission to Germany so they could do the work.

Way to much work!

I'll keep my Spider just the way she is...