Just Wondering...

**weberje** · 04-10-2010, 12:53 AM

For the M6's out there: When do you kick into 6th gear?

**Too Fast** · 04-10-2010, 02:38 AM

It really all depends on how I'm driving, but I usually don't get into 6th until 55 or higher. Sometimes on the highway I'll slow for traffic and get as far down as 45 in 6th, like 800 RPM or so, then you can ease back on the gas and get back up to speed, no problem. Shows how wonderfully tractable these LS1 engines are. You can go from 25 MPH to top speed in one gear, 5th, with the stock 3.42s.

**WS6S** · 04-10-2010, 03:08 AM

4.10,s out back,so 45 to 65 when normal driving.

but then why drive normal !

**Too Fast** · 04-10-2010, 12:20 PM

^^^Damn right. Why drive normal indeed. I need some 4.10s. Do yours make much noise? Are they Richmond or what?

**Knight** · 04-10-2010, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by WS6S

4.10,s out back,so 45 to 65 when normal driving.

but then why drive normal !

+1.

**blackbird0230** · 04-10-2010, 01:18 PM

I keep mine in 5th through the majority of highway, 65mph+ =6th gear for me

Going Fast: Never

**V8MUSCLE** · 04-10-2010, 03:12 PM

5th till 50 if its your average hilly road. if the road is flat then 45 for 6th

**egod** · 04-10-2010, 07:25 PM

whatever keeps me below 2k rpm when cruising. 55

**Baluchitherium** · 04-10-2010, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by blackbird0230

I keep mine in 5th through the majority of highway, 65mph+ =6th gear for me

Going Fast: Never

Pretty much the same here!

**Too Fast** · 04-11-2010, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by blackbird0230

I keep mine in 5th through the majority of highway, 65mph+ =6th gear for me

Going Fast: Never

Originally Posted by Baluchitherium

Pretty much the same here!

Why not use 6th before 65? Especially if you are just cruising or maintaining speed. I like to use lower gears also, but just to maintain speed, especially with low traffic, I'm all over 6th.

**WS6S** · 04-11-2010, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

^^^Damn right. Why drive normal indeed. I need some 4.10s. Do yours make much noise? Are they Richmond or what?

all over 6th as well,with the 4.10 gears its just a different drive.i put in a motive gear part # g875410x in my 01 ws6.no not noisy and if they were it wouldnt matter.

**egod** · 04-11-2010, 09:55 AM

I hear that the Richmond are noisey as hell

**Too Fast** · 04-12-2010, 02:35 AM

^^^that's what I've heard here as well.

**egod** · 04-12-2010, 07:30 AM

One of the shops I go to in villa park , il told me that a long time ago when I was still driving my 75 lemans. I don't know why but that's what he always recommends, that or gm gears

**Baluchitherium** · 04-12-2010, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Why not use 6th before 65? Especially if you are just cruising or maintaining speed. I like to use lower gears also, but just to maintain speed, especially with low traffic, I'm all over 6th.

Honestly most of the areas here that are highway speeds are 65 or more...

Generally I try to keep the rpm around 1500 when just cruising along... I notice that I get the best mpg that way as well.

When I scooting around traffic for position or merging,I tend to keep a gear that keeps me in the 2-2500 rpm range... nothing crazy,then once I'm where I want wo be,back to a gear that keeps me at the 1500 cruising altitude..

**Too Fast** · 04-12-2010, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Baluchitherium

Honestly most of the areas here that are highway speeds are 65 or more...

Generally I try to keep the rpm around 1500 when just cruising along... I notice that I get the best mpg that way as well.

When I scooting around traffic for position or merging,I tend to keep a gear that keeps me in the 2-2500 rpm range... nothing crazy,then once I'm where I want wo be,back to a gear that keeps me at the 1500 cruising altitude..

I was in Texas a few years ago, drove Too Fast there with my wife and 2 small kids. We were there for a family reunion in Nacadoches, it was cool how the 2 lane state highways have speed limits of 70, you never see that here in conservative IN. It is 55 for 2 lane, 55-70 for interstates.

**Baluchitherium** · 04-13-2010, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

I was in Texas a few years ago, drove Too Fast there with my wife and 2 small kids. We were there for a family reunion in Nacadoches, it was cool how the 2 lane state highways have speed limits of 70, you never see that here in conservative IN. It is 55 for 2 lane, 55-70 for interstates.

Sammy Hagar's song "I can't Drive 55" suddenly came to mind...

**Too Fast** · 04-13-2010, 03:18 PM

^^^Yeah, Kyle (my 5 Y. O. son) and I went for a drive today. Perfect weather, sunny and 80. We were sitting in the local fast food joint and Sammy Hagars' "Bad Motor Scooter" came on. Couldn't believe that Sammy was now part of elevator music LOL! Then later in the day, we heard some from Chickenfoot.

**Firebirdjones** · 04-13-2010, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

I was in Texas a few years ago, drove Too Fast there with my wife and 2 small kids. We were there for a family reunion in Nacadoches, it was cool how the 2 lane state highways have speed limits of 70, you never see that here in conservative IN. It is 55 for 2 lane, 55-70 for interstates.

Come out a little further west in Arizona and it's 75 mph.

**Firebirdjones** · 04-13-2010, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by weberje

For the M6's out there: When do you kick into 6th gear?

I use 6th gear anytime I'm at 45 mph or more, with the stock 3.42's still. Even with a mild cam it chugs down to 40 mph in 6th, and easily picks up speed if need be.