Quote:
Originally Posted by Thenorm
i think for a manual. the key thing is a short 1st gear and a v.tall overdrive.
5 gears is probably ideal. 6 is ok, but on my 6 speed, because its close ratio i tend to skip shift. I wouldnt want a 7+ spd manual.
actually if my current 5spd on my other car, if it have an extra super overdrive above the existing 5 ratios, that'd be ok
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What, you don't like shifting? :P
I mean, for a <200hp NA engine I think generally 6 speed transmissions with a very tall overdrive are good, but after that I think 7 is justifiable. For example the 6MT 2.4L Hondas run somewhat high rpms on the freeway, but if the 6th gear had a slightly lower ratio it would not be bad at all. Same with the FRS/BRZ, RSX, Civic Si, etc., which would have very comfortable cruising gears if the 6th gear revs were just 10% lower.
The Honda S2000 would not have a very economical cruising rpm even if you widened the gear ratios out like an economy car because of that 1.2 primary reduction. The Porsche 6 speed gearboxes have a relatively tall final drive and thus 1st and 2nd gear, so the 6th gear is not as bad as on some cars, so with the 2.7 you have a decent cruising rpm in 6th but not a very good 1st gear for taking off on. The 3.4's torque makes 1st gear a little better, but then the cruising efficiency is down a good bit.