(4+3) Is 4th the weakest gear?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
(4+3) Is 4th the weakest gear?
I had it floored in 4th around 40mph getting onto a highway, and an eclipse in front of me was pulling on me. I've never had much power in 4th gear anyway. Should I have left it in third while accelerating?
I also learned today that if you give it too much gas in a turn, it will fishtail and scare the living poopie out of you. :nono: These cars deserve respect.
I also learned today that if you give it too much gas in a turn, it will fishtail and scare the living poopie out of you. :nono: These cars deserve respect.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
4th is very weak. At the drags strip, this is where I shift....
1st to 2nd @ 4600 ~ 40 mph
2nd to 3rd @ 4400 ~ 60mph
3rd to 4th @ 4400 ~ 85mph
I don't ever get to 4th/OD on the track, but on the highway I usually go into it around 110-115mph.
1st to 2nd @ 4600 ~ 40 mph
2nd to 3rd @ 4400 ~ 60mph
3rd to 4th @ 4400 ~ 85mph
I don't ever get to 4th/OD on the track, but on the highway I usually go into it around 110-115mph.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: (4+3) Is 4th the weakest gear? (FlyboyZR1)
Not in overdrive, 4th delivers the lowest torque and therefore the lowest acceleration. If you need more acceleration and will not run out of rpm, shift to the next lower gear (like 3rd). And yes, much respect is due C4's. The danger is that the car never breaks loose in spirited driving, and you might mistakenly get the idea that you can't break it loose, but..... as you found out it does indeed have a traction limit and usually it happens at high speed :eek: . You will have to give our C4's credit though, the 5 link rear suspension works hard to straighten you out and it has saved my butt many times. I have owned and driven every day a 64, 69, and a 74 vette and my 87 blows the doors off them in handling, acceleration, fuel mileage, and in saving my butt when I hung the rear end out too far.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: (4+3) Is 4th the weakest gear? (jfb)
Yeah I was probably doing about 25 in 2nd during the turn, with a little too much gas. She fishtailed at least 35 degress both right and left, but it felt like 90. Lucky enough though I didn't hit the curb to my left or the grand prix to my right. I think the bald tires might explain why it did this.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Re: (4+3) Is 4th the weakest gear? (jfb)
I'm with jfb. When I moved up from my '78 L82 4SPD with the FE7 suspension, to my Z51 '85 4+3 I couldn't believe how much more planted the rear end was. I've only lost it once and that was just inattentive driving on my part. Scorp's got the shift points nailed. I'm hoping the 2-3 shift will be a little less scary with the beam plates I've been reading about and hope to install soon.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 65
From: Bishopville MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: (scorp508)
4th is very weak. At the drags strip, this is where I shift....
1st to 2nd @ 4600 ~ 40 mph
2nd to 3rd @ 4400 ~ 60mph
3rd to 4th @ 4400 ~ 85mph
I don't ever get to 4th/OD on the track, but on the highway I usually go into it around 110-115mph.
1st to 2nd @ 4600 ~ 40 mph
2nd to 3rd @ 4400 ~ 60mph
3rd to 4th @ 4400 ~ 85mph
I don't ever get to 4th/OD on the track, but on the highway I usually go into it around 110-115mph.
I think that you will be changing your shift points real soon! OD in fourth will automatically engage at some point. My 87 used to do it at about 110.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Scorp,
I think that you will be changing your shift points real soon! OD in fourth will automatically engage at some point. My 87 used to do it at about 110.
I think that you will be changing your shift points real soon! OD in fourth will automatically engage at some point. My 87 used to do it at about 110.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 65
From: Bishopville MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: (scorp508)
Scorp,
Mine would engage at 110 with it disengaged. Scared me to death the first time it did it and I knew it was disengaged. Hate when a car does something on its own! Especially at 110.
Mine would engage at 110 with it disengaged. Scared me to death the first time it did it and I knew it was disengaged. Hate when a car does something on its own! Especially at 110.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
Re: (scorp508)
Scorp, you can't be serious, bro'. Aren't your rpm's way up there in third gear doing 75? My 4th kicks down nicely on the highway, just ask the camaro SS I dusted on I-75 Friday night! :lol: