1 to 4 shift pattern?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 87
From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I know a guy who had a close ratio in a 67 and didn't like it. He always started out in 2nd gear and shifted to 4th. Not for fuel savings but just because he did not like shifting that much. He runs a 427 with a solid lifter cam and felt he had enough torque to do this without all the "un-necessary" shifting. He converted his M21 to an M20 and likes it much better. I personally don't think you would save that much fuel by doing this but I could be wrong. Maybe someone here has tried it and made a serious attempt to confirm or deny this possibility.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
So you wind the car up in 1st enough to make a smooth transition 3 gears higher...doesn't sound like you'd save much gas and if I were beside you in traffic I'd think you were a crappy driver...in fact, I'd pretty much be sure of it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,608
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From: Oceanside CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 942
Likes: 3
From: Louisville KY
Like Frankie says, turning 5,000 rpms in 1st so you can shift to 4th probably is not saving you gas. Heck owning a 67 Corvette is not saving you gas. If the guy really wanted to save gas, you should feather the gas pedal and use more gears, shifting at about 2250 each time. Or put in a six speed with overdrive. Or sell it and get a Prius.
Last edited by Lou64; Apr 21, 2012 at 04:34 PM.
Enjoy while you can.
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From: 10th District Court OHIO
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 6
From: Troy New York
Call me what you want but I've done it many times over the past 50 years in my 59.... several times yesterday...never at high power, tho...car handles it extremely well as the 4:11 rear end makes it easier to take....was even smoother when it had a 4:56...
Why?? Sometimes I feel lazy ... definitely not for gas mileage...
Why?? Sometimes I feel lazy ... definitely not for gas mileage...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Skipping gears and easy acceleration up to road speed in higher gears is an easy way to save gas if you're so inclined to do so. I do it all the time (not in an old Corvette)
If you try that on busy roads though, you'll likely get run over and if you try to wind it up in lower gear to make up for the one(s) you skipped, you won't save a dime in gas money!
If you try that on busy roads though, you'll likely get run over and if you try to wind it up in lower gear to make up for the one(s) you skipped, you won't save a dime in gas money!
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 95
From: Denver, NC
My Z06 has the 1-4 "feature" which supposedly helped GM avoid the gas guzzler tax. It's a nuisance - usually while easing through an intersection and being surprised that the move from 1st to 2nd is locked out and you're really not carrying enough rpms to go to 4th. My first modification was the <$20 CAGS Skip Shift Eliminator. I see no value in a 1-4 shift for someone who can afford to own any year Corvette.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
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From: Greenville, Indiana
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,640
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From: Livin' large and havin' fun in wonderful Oklahoma
b
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Why not, I do that most of the time for years... and some times the 1-4 shift........it don't hurt any thing ...Hell, with the 4.56 I sometimes take off in 4. ...no big deal, however you could say i`m lazy and its not a gas mileage situation ither...if you cant afford gas, you would be better off with a compact......
