LT4 6 speed
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
LT4 6 speed
Hello folks , just wondering what MPH you guys cruise in 5th & 6th gear,I have a DRM Modded LT4, 3:45 gears, and it seems sluggish at 100-110 in 6th gear still, am I to expect normal highway cruising should be done in 4th & 5th and 6th for top speed cruises.above 130mph range, or should I go by the RPM to determine what gear to use.
Thanks
Damn I luv this car!!!!!
Thanks
Damn I luv this car!!!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Madison WI
Your question is confusing to me. I thought people cruise at 60 to 80mph depending on the speed limit using 6th gear which isn't powerful but with the cruise on it doesn't matter as it's an overdrive. I race on a track at 100 to 110 in the top of 3rd or in 4th and have plenty of power. Top speed will not be in 6th gear but in 5th. If you are cruising over 100 I would be in 5th as 6th is geared really tall and is said to be weak as well.
Last edited by Toy90; Mar 11, 2010 at 04:38 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 182
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
6th gear wasn't meant for "power" runs. It's an overdrive meant to allow very low rpm cruising for the best fuel economy.
At 70 mph, mine runs approx. 1800 rpm.
It will run down the interstate at that rpm all day long, and get 30-32 mpg doing it.
The engine has enough torque to make easy passes and go up grades, but if you need to make a spirited pass you can downshift.
Usually going down to 5th is all that's needed, but if you want to accelerate full throttle you should downshift even lower.
At 70 mph, mine runs approx. 1800 rpm.
It will run down the interstate at that rpm all day long, and get 30-32 mpg doing it.
The engine has enough torque to make easy passes and go up grades, but if you need to make a spirited pass you can downshift.
Usually going down to 5th is all that's needed, but if you want to accelerate full throttle you should downshift even lower.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
6th gear wasn't meant for "power" runs. It's an overdrive meant to allow very low rpm cruising for the best fuel economy.
At 70 mph, mine runs approx. 1800 rpm.
It will run down the interstate at that rpm all day long, and get 30-32 mpg doing it.
The engine has enough torque to make easy passes and go up grades, but if you need to make a spirited pass you can downshift.
Usually going down to 5th is all that's needed, but if you want to accelerate full throttle you should downshift even lower.
At 70 mph, mine runs approx. 1800 rpm.
It will run down the interstate at that rpm all day long, and get 30-32 mpg doing it.
The engine has enough torque to make easy passes and go up grades, but if you need to make a spirited pass you can downshift.
Usually going down to 5th is all that's needed, but if you want to accelerate full throttle you should downshift even lower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
It's rare I ever use 6th, even at 70. Seems I'm turning about 22-2300 in 5th at 70 mph. I guess if ever found myself cruising any faster, 80+, 6th would come into play.
Agree,..love this car!
BTW, how fast will a stock LT-4 go? 140?
Agree,..love this car!
BTW, how fast will a stock LT-4 go? 140?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 182
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
6th gear wasn't meant for "power" runs. It's an overdrive meant to allow very low rpm cruising for the best fuel economy.
At 70 mph, mine runs approx. 1800 rpm.
It will run down the interstate at that rpm all day long, and get 30-32 mpg doing it.
The engine has enough torque to make easy passes and go up grades, but if you need to make a spirited pass you can downshift.
Usually going down to 5th is all that's needed, but if you want to accelerate full throttle you should downshift even lower.
At 70 mph, mine runs approx. 1800 rpm.
It will run down the interstate at that rpm all day long, and get 30-32 mpg doing it.
The engine has enough torque to make easy passes and go up grades, but if you need to make a spirited pass you can downshift.
Usually going down to 5th is all that's needed, but if you want to accelerate full throttle you should downshift even lower.
Couldn't say it any better and welcome to the LT4 family.
Spend some time getting to know your car, take some driving lesionsget some track time and you should be able to get more than 140 out of her.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 3
From: Chandler Arizona
when do you get an opportunity to go 140+mph (or even 120+mph) for any extended period of time? I get nervous doing 80+mpg (with the number of cops around).
Of course, I also use 6th gear around town at 40+mph (at least it's practical in the wide open/flat stretches of roads in Az).
Of course, I also use 6th gear around town at 40+mph (at least it's practical in the wide open/flat stretches of roads in Az).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
original owner LT4
Its your car, the owners manual mentions 6th gear is for 60+ when driving. Below 60 say the speed limit is 55 I use 5th. I do not want any tickets and was stopped for 61 in a 55 once. Was so happy to just get a warning.
