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Old 12-21-2016, 12:18 PM   #14 (permalink)
kafer65
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 284

Silver - '15 Mazda CX-5 Sport
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bhazard View Post
I had a 2002 5 speed and usually managed in the 28-30 range.

Gearing is the killer. The 5 speed has 4.11 diffs and the autos have 4.44's.

You could look for a 5 speed setup from an early Impreza or base model Legacy. They had 3.90 diffs. WRX's had a taller .71 5th gear too I think. vs .8 or so in the Forester.
Yes, that is the compromise right there in the diff ratios. I'm wanting less gearing in my Mazda at 3.70, for efficiency, but I really enjoyed the launches with the 4.44 in the Forester!

We had two Legacys before the Forester and all of them automatics. They would get 26 mpg on highway in normal non-ecomodder setups. Not bad for what they were and how they were driven.
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