backinblack06

Old school...? Am I doing something wrong, should I not decel in one gear for that amount of time.

I could be driving wrong..oops.. like I said i basically taught myself. Enlighten me wise one..

fairlane292

No, you're doing fine. What I meant was 'old school' in that carsused to continue to decellerate until you put the clutch in or stalled it. What you are describing is gonna be new territory for me.

HypromanGT

Hmm...this is my daily driver and I frequently cruise (constant speeds, level ground) at like 1600-1800 RPMs...you guys are making me think I might be hurting the car :-\. Of course for acceleration I am downshifting, but what RPM do you guys cruise at?

Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread...but I'm curious now ;-)

backinblack06

Where I live the speed limits are pretty much between 35 and 45 mph.... I usually cruise in 4th, which is about 1600-1800 as you said. I have noticed my car doesnt really like 5th gear if im goingunder 40mph. It drops the rpms to 1000 and it's like driving a brick. Usually if I'm goin over 40 and just cruising in traffic i pop her into 5th, unless im playing around or theres moderate trafficI'll do 4th , and third for passing/blowing ricers away.

NickSezz

This has to be tune or trans related because both the V6 and the GT do the same thing. I really dont like the throttle lag that the 5-speed has when up shifting and engine braking. Im hoping my brenspeed tune will fix this issue. Ill know in about a week.

fairlane292

I don't know man, I tried this a few times and lots of deceleration scenarios, nothing feels that unusal to me. You will feel less (not more) braking in third as your rpm comes down anyway. I think you are driving fine and the car is behaving as expected. Now some people will down shift as part of braking but generally I don't do that. If I'm going 50 (in fifth) and there is a stop up ahead I let off on the gas (just like an automatic) well in advance and roll up to a point where I get pretty close and just put the clutch in. With fifth gear in deceleration (not acceleration) the car isnot under any load and is happy to coast at slowing speeds. Oh, if I was on a race course I could downshift to let the tranny help in the breakingfor cornering but I'll spend a little bit of brake pad, save the clutch and have smoother approaches to upcoming stop signs, red lights etc. When I had my 69 MGC,69 Datsun 2000and 71 MGB I would heel-toe downshift to every upcoming stop signs, red light (and tight corner). With this you can get a smooth transition as you set the rpms up with the throttle rather than by forcing the rpm change withthe lower gear change (that is simplywrong and very annoyingif youhave a passenger). I don't drive the stang likea road course car. For me it's a straight-line performance car. ...for others it's often something else.

I think you are doing just great and congrats for going with the stick and learning quickly as you have.

fairlane292

Yeah, do let us know if you see a difference. Thanks!

backinblack06

Thanks Fairlane for checking it out for me and creating a great write up. I don't think it's unusual but I was just wondering because it seemed kind of weird to me. I drive like you do and I'm not big on downshifting for breaking unless i need to stop real fast or I'm just trying to show off lol.

Thanks for the props lol...It was a scary first month or so trying to learn how to drive that thing. It was like everytime I thought I had it down pat, some other scenario would occur and completely freak me out and make me think I couldnt handle the car lol.I got it and I love it. It is soooo much fun, I would never buy this car with an auto, and I just love the power, even when she was still stock the feeling of romping on it and the front end end of the car coming up and getting thrown back in the seat is something that truly amazing !!!

Thanks again for all your help.....btw.....I envy your flames every time i see one of your posts

fairlane292

Thanks, I love the black and black and black and black you got going withyour GT vert; the CAI and 4:10s must be "sick", huh?