4+3 overdrive questions
#21
Safety Car
If I'm not mistaken you only need to hit the clutch when you initailly engage the overdrive, once it's on it will stay on until it's turned off. That's why you don't have to hit the clutch to engage the overdrive in second, third, and fourth when starting off in first if the overdrive is already on.
#22
Drifting
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 1,897
Received 164 Likes
on
136 Posts
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Plain and simple of it. Operate 1st through 4th gear just like any 4 speed transmission. You may not even want to use overdrive. But if you do want to, use the overdrive only as a fifth gear. You only need to use the clutch once when you switch the overdrive on after 4th gear, and once when you want to turn the overdrive function off. No one drives a 4+3 the way described here. Unless they're an idiot. It's not a 7 speed transmission. 2nd gear overdrive feels like 3rd gear. 3rd gear overdrive feels like 4th gear. And 4th gear overdrive feels like a fifth gear. Fairly simple.
#23
Safety Car
Being that you have a 4+3, I'm sure you understand my next statements. But for those who don't know this, true, you can downshift in overdrive all the way down to 2nd gear without turning off the overdrive. When you come to a complete stop, the overdrive disengages automatically through the use of a vehicle speed sensor. If you leave the overdrive on, it will automatically engage back into overdrive in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. 1st gear does not have the overdrive capability. Thus the 4+3 designation.
#24
Drifting
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 1,897
Received 164 Likes
on
136 Posts
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Being that you have a 4+3, I'm sure you understand my next statements. But for those who don't know this, true, you can downshift in overdrive all the way down to 2nd gear without turning off the overdrive. When you come to a complete stop, the overdrive disengages automatically through the use of a vehicle speed sensor. If you leave the overdrive on, it will automatically engage back into overdrive in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. 1st gear does not have the overdrive capability. Thus the 4+3 designation.
#25
Le Mans Master
This is how I use it. Only on the highway because spinning ~3k at 75 mph scares me a little... Sounds cool though.
The following users liked this post:
Bfenty (04-25-2018)
#26
Safety Car
That's exactly how it was designed to be used. GM originally designed it for fuel conservation regulations back in 84-89. Some people actually think you have to shift it 7 times going down the road. Lots of bad/wrong information has been spread from know it all's who actually know nothing.
The following users liked this post:
Bfenty (04-25-2018)
#27
Drifting
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 1,897
Received 164 Likes
on
136 Posts
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
That's exactly how it was designed to be used. GM originally designed it for fuel conservation regulations back in 84-89. Some people actually think you have to shift it 7 times going down the road. Lots of bad/wrong information has been spread from know it all's who actually know nothing.
The following users liked this post:
Bfenty (04-25-2018)
#31
Drifting
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 1,897
Received 164 Likes
on
136 Posts
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I don't think you can. Not enough room in the tunnel.
AND: The reverse idler gear shaft is part of the overdrive assembly. IIRC, the best way to assemble the OD to the 4-speed is vertically, so you can center the idler gear, then drop its shaft (which is attached to the overdrive) down onto it. Attempting to do it horizontally (as installed), the idler gear drops down, and the shaft won't go into it.
AND: The reverse idler gear shaft is part of the overdrive assembly. IIRC, the best way to assemble the OD to the 4-speed is vertically, so you can center the idler gear, then drop its shaft (which is attached to the overdrive) down onto it. Attempting to do it horizontally (as installed), the idler gear drops down, and the shaft won't go into it.
#32
Le Mans Master
Yea my carrier bearing is whining... I just don't feel like pulling it. It otherwise works fine.
#34
Le Mans Master
#35
I don't think you can. Not enough room in the tunnel.
AND: The reverse idler gear shaft is part of the overdrive assembly. IIRC, the best way to assemble the OD to the 4-speed is vertically, so you can center the idler gear, then drop its shaft (which is attached to the overdrive) down onto it. Attempting to do it horizontally (as installed), the idler gear drops down, and the shaft won't go into it.
AND: The reverse idler gear shaft is part of the overdrive assembly. IIRC, the best way to assemble the OD to the 4-speed is vertically, so you can center the idler gear, then drop its shaft (which is attached to the overdrive) down onto it. Attempting to do it horizontally (as installed), the idler gear drops down, and the shaft won't go into it.