Fifth Gear

[speedracer]

Speedracer,

You know that yellow line on your tach? When the needle gets there is when you should start thinking about maybe shifting to the next gear.

No kidding.

I hear you, but if you read through this thread you'll know that I was more apprehensive then most to rev this little engine so high. So no worries, I don't beat on my car and I don't abuse her. I'm just learning that she will rev freely at higher rpm's than most cars with little to worry about.

[djape1977]

http://www.dodaj.rs/?1V/rK/oubQ2Y8/dsc1480.jpg

[phaetn]

I'm just learning to really thrash it and keep revs high and stop poking about at 2500 to 3k revs around town when 4 to 5k would do instead -- plus produce that wonderful sound!! (I have no mid-resonator or cat, just the 4-2-1 straight thorough to the rear muffler so it may be louder than most.)

Yesterday I took it on the highway to visit family friends about 15-20 mins away. It was really the first instance that I had
hit sustained highway speeds for any length of time. At one point, when on the power and going slightly dowhill, I shifted from 4th to 5th. Imagine my surprise when it actually felt like I was revving higher in 5th than I had been in 4th!!

I'm sure it had actually dropped by a few hundred, but perception is reality -- I was likely expecting a bigger drop and the slope kept up some of my speed. I had one of those Keannu Reeves "woah!" moments... Then I grinned and really put my foot down.

The car cruises very happily at 70mph and I took it up to 90 a couple of times. Still have a flat spot to sort out on the carb so I'll order the Redline jetting kit.

Cheers,
phaetn

[BERGFIAT]

I always chuckle when I read these threads. Invariably, many will respond to the TC inherent "need" to operate in the same RPM range as an F1 motor. There is NOTHING enjoyable about taching 4500 going down a straight road and barely hitting 73 mph. The only "singing" you are hearing is accelerated engine wear and increased fuel consumption. Even with 60's technology, a car that weighs less than a Prius should manage 30 MPG hwy. The final gearing in these cars, while adequate for the 55 MPH era, is terrible for todays driving. Any out of town excursion lasting more than 30 minutes has one wishing for their old 85 Celeberty. I have found that these cars are infinitely more enjoyable when equipped with what I would call UPDATED gearing.

[TX82FIAT]

Take back roads when driving distances try to vary engine speed. Nothing wrong with elevating the RPMS every now and then. Your not on the track, so for a typical drive you may not ever exceed 6000 RPM's. In fact, you are doing a dis-service to your car if you tool around at 2000 RPM's or less all day. It may take you a little longer taking back roads but you will enjoy the ride more and your car will perform better across a wider RPM band. Just north of 3000 RPM seems to be a sweet spot. Updating the drive gears for highway driving is reasonable. Enjoying the engine on back roads is passion.