The Automotive Thread

[Dexman PE PMP]

^^^ I was going to ask what the stock ratios were in the RX7. Bee has 3.27's (3.45 in the automatics), and have been debating upgrading to the 3.91's (stock in the 1LE package). The biggest downside is that Bee is a daily driver and I can only imagine how much that will kill whatever fuel mileage I already get.

How deep is first gear on that car, and how tall is the tire?

I have a 275/40/ZR20 rear tire on a 20x9 wheel.

Gear ratios: 1-6 & Reverse:

3.01 2.07 1.43 1.00 0.84 0.57

3.28

It's the Tremec TR-6060. From what I've seen, it's a tank of a transmission.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremec_TR-6060_transmission

 

[Supe]

I'm surprised it doesn't have a deeper first gear than that. Some of the T5's for example came with a 3.35 first, and that was with a 26" tire (granted, those were behind pretty anemic motors.) T56's were usually a 2.9X first, but again, with 26" tires like in 4th gen F Bodies.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

I think there is just too much power to justify a deeper 1st gear. If you look at the ratios in the above link between different models, the 3.01 ratio for the Camaro is one of the deepest used. The Shelby GT500 Mustang uses a 2.66.

Before I did any performance mods to the engine, I could comfortably start in 2nd gear and ride that up to 65mph before redlining. After the mods, I could start in 3rd if I really wanted to, but I would need to be baby the throttle just a little.

 

[Supe]

Heck, I run a 2.83 first gear, and that was on the deep side. Rest of the trans is pretty close ratio, but the only time I'll ever use first gear is launching at the hill climbs...

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Heck, I run a 2.83 first gear, and that was on the deep side. Rest of the trans is pretty close ratio, but the only time I'll ever use first gear is launching at the hill climbs...

A lot of the Camaro guys do the same thing.

My only real complaint with the gearing is that 5th gear (1st overdrive) is still too deep. There is very little drop in RPM going from 4 to 5, but there is too much going from 4 to 6. Gears 1-4 are for drag racing, maybe 5th is geared that way for longer straights on road courses. :dunno:

 

[Supe]

Got the motor pulled last night. Threads on timing cover and oil pan bolt holes were a disaster. Oil pump pickup had nearly a full tube of RTV in it. Bottom end looked OK. Probe forged pistons, 5140 Eagle rods (OK, but not great, good enough for naturally aspirated). Can't tell if crank is cast or forged, but again, naturally aspirated, good enough. Based on the amount of drilling and mallory metal that they used in the counterweights to balance it, it's probably an Eagle forged. They're notorious for that. Slight scuffing on the cylinder walls, but nothing major. Rear main seal was shot, and the asswipe also stripped out the oil pan stud that comes with the main seal retainer. Have a replacement coming from ebay. At least for the time being, its looking like I should just be able to replace the rear main seal and retainer, throw the new gaskets back on, fix the oil pan (it was hitting the engine cradle and has very nearly worn two holes right through the pan), and slap it back in.

Will have to do extensive firewall repair first, though. Numbnuts hacked it to bits because he couldn't get the necessary distributor clearance. Have to plate and weld it back up, but am also welding in an airbox inlet for a functional cowl induction setup.

 

[Road Guy]

RW you sell the car yet? A former scout of mine ( with a single mom, with one Autistic younger son) is looking for a cheap ride, You willing to do a goodwill case for $2K?

 

[roadwreck]

I still have the car, I actually haven't even put it up for sale yet.

I'm really not sure I can let it go for $2k even as a goodwill case. I really feel $3k is as low as I'd go on it. It's in great shape for a 10 year old car.

It's a manual too, is your friend going to want to deal with that in Atlanta?

 

[Road Guy]

send me the specifics, she is just looking for a decent car for her son, that is fairly cheap but works... if you would take $3K I will ask her..

My dad was going to GIVE away his old dodge truck to her but the thing sucks gas and the begrudgingly turned it down (my dad didnt want to take the 19 year old truck to florida with them)

 

[Road Guy]

or send me the craislist ad...

 

[MA_PE]

send me the specifics, she is just looking for a decent car for her son, that is fairly cheap but works... if you would take $3K I will ask her..

My dad was going to GIVE away his old dodge truck to her but the thing sucks gas and the begrudgingly turned it down (my dad didnt want to take the 19 year old truck to florida with them)

you can buy a lot of gas for $3k. Just sayin'

 

[Road Guy]

That's what I was trying to tell her!

 

[roadwreck]

There is no craigslist add yet. I took some photos of it this past weekend with the intent to post something on craigslist but never got around to it (see how much of a hurry I'm in to unload this thing? ).

I'll see if I can get something uploaded tonight or tomorrow and forward it to you.

So this car is for her son? I'm assuming he doesn't have much experience with a manual then? I will say, this car has one of the most particular clutches I've ever driven. Once you get used to it then it's loads of fun, but people who aren't used to driving sticks have a difficult time with it.

 

[roadwreck]

I posted the car on craigslist yesterday morning and have had 11 people inquire about it already. Most wanting to come see it immediately. Is having them all show up at once to look at the care a bad idea? highest bidder takes the car?

 

[Road Guy]

Do you have them be at your house. I always met the Craigslist crazies at a Home Depot parking lot someplace so they would come back and chop my family into little pieces

And my friend finally got her ex-husband to help their son with the car . so he's a proud owner of a little Ford Ranger

 

[Road Guy]

And I had a funny Craigslist story . last year when I sold the jeep on craigslist the very first guy that came to look at it drove up from Macon but he wanted to shave several thousand off.

Obviously I declined

But when I was driving out to Colorado last August the same guy he called me , and this was at least four months after I sold the jeep , and asked if I still had it .

he was willing to pay the original price I don't know what was up with that guy.

It kind of creeped me out that he kept my phone number that long

 

[Supe]

I've done that before (long down time). Look for a project/fun car, test the waters, if you can't find anything else you like, go back to the original choice if it was a fair asking price.

 

[Road Guy]

But 4 months later?

 

[roadwreck]

Do you have them be at your house. I always met the Craigslist crazies at a Home Depot parking lot someplace so they would come back and chop my family into little pieces

And my friend finally got her ex-husband to help their son with the car . so he's a proud owner of a little Ford Ranger

Glad your friend found a car. A little Ford Ranger is a good vehicle for a high schooler.

No, I don't have them meeting at my house. Several people have asked for my address though. I give them the address of a shopping center not far away. I figure that's where I'll meet them to show them the car.

 

[Supe]

But 4 months later?

Yep. I had a guy call me every few months for two years asking if I was willing to sell a car that wasn't for sale at the time.