Gear Ratios & Final Drive Was: Speaking of manual boxes

[KSCRIM]

I drove a NC recently and was frankly disappointed. The 6 speed box seemed a
bit of a waste due to the greater torque available from the 2 litre engine.
I found I was deliberately missing some gears as I didn't need them!!!. Yes
the engine revs are lower for a given road speed, but that is due to the
lower diff ratio. I also found the gear changes coming up too fast. Quite
frankly I felt that for most purposes the 5 speed box would be a more user
friendly unit in the NC.
However, for those who like to keep the engine singing in the upper rev
range, the 6 speed box is more to play with. More gears in the boxes seems
to be the fashion these days.
The only way to reduce the engine revs at highway speeds is to change the
diff ratio.
My 2 cents worth.

Kevin

[...]

[ianbell]

My MX5 5 speed doesn't rev as high as that at 100kph. Do you have low profile
tyres on? The difference in tyre size from a 185 - 65 x 14 to a 185 - 55 x 14
is 6.21%, quite a difference in revs I would think. Here is a good link for
info & calculations:
http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbible ... t=8258c079
50ea6164

Ian

CHN433

From chris.tankard@aderant.com Fri Apr 27 17:58:55 2007
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Subject: Re: Topgear reviews new MX5
Date: Sat, 6 May 2006 11:21:40 +1200
Thread-Topic: Topgear reviews new MX5
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From: "Chris Tankard" <chris.tankard@aderant.com>
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I have read that google have taken them all off just recently for copyright reasons. I have a copy that I can lend - its in the office at the moment but I can send Monday.


(Sent from my BlackBerry)

[EricW]

Yes, this was my experience of the NC as well. If I were buying one, I think
the auto with paddles would be more fun

Eric