I'd be interested in fuel econ & a higher top end. My cruising speed seems to be 40-45mph and I get @ 11mpg >From: "D. Dardalis" <dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > >At 01:41 PM 1/28/2002 -0600, you wrote: >> Carl.. >> Minor problem here.. take 2.76 and multiply times .78 You will >> notice it gives you a really high top end gear, yes, but do you >> have enough motor to pull it... There is a point of diminished >> returns... That being if you have not enough motor to pull the >> weight of the auto then you must compensate by giving MORE gas, >> hence, lower mileage.. >This turns out into a popular subject. An additional comment to Robb's >statement. This combination of 2.76 * 0.78 overdrive = 2.15 ratio would >result in about 1600-1700 rpm converter output at 65 (don't know your tire >size, so I am guessing). When you load the torque converter at these low >speeds climbing a hill, a lot of slippage will result which is nothing but >direct loss of energy converted to transmission heat. That's where you >need the lockup converter. The statement about higher engine load >resulting in poorer fuel economy needs to be a bit more >explained. Typically, spark ignition engines are more efficient at higher >loads, for two reasons, the most important of the two is that as the >throttle opens, the intake restriction diminishes, so the "pumping" losses >drop. However, if the load of the engine is increased to the point where >the mixture starts getting rich, then you might start loosing MPG. This >however happens fairly close to WOT, so it will have to be a very steep >hill, in which case you have the option to down shift to direct.. The >super low gear ratios like the 2.15 usually give better MPG's on the >highway but at the loss of low speed performance and economy. If I paid >the $ for an overdrive, I 'd rather use it for performance, but one could >rather choose to maintain a relatively high ratio and use it for >economy. If in the US though, it might take many years to pay back through >fuel savings. >D^2 > > _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx