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Old 11-18-2008, 06:28 PM   #28 (permalink)
whokilledthejams
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredonia, NY
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Boxy Brown - '04 Scion xB
90 day: 35.48 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roflwaffle View Post
What's so bad about downshifting?
Nothing!

Even today's most asthmatic "underpowered" cars could do well with taller gearing. What happened to the days of 90hp V8s with mushy three-speeds? Oh yeah, we realized that was stupid, because 0-60 in 30 seconds is too slow even with this crowd.

It's not like we need gears so tall we have to be push-started salt flat style, but there's no need to have an engine revving at peak torque when cruising on the highway at a constant speed.

In-gear-acceleration is not just overrated, it's unnecessary, and is a big part of why cars are generally over-powered.
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