walkerstreet Member 27 Member For: 17y 3m 14d Posted 15/08/07 04:11 AM Share Posted 15/08/07 04:11 AM Hi everyone,I've been driving my XR6 Turbo ZF 6 speed in manual mode since I got it in February. I've generally been abiding by the following lack-lustre recommendations from the Ford Manual:Maximum Speeds in each gear:1st - 50 km/h2nd - 753rd - 1154th - 1605th & 6th - Nil specifiedThe tacho never budged much beyond 3,500 rpm using these guidelines, and I think I was using the car often below any boost from the turbo (I.e. below 2,000-2,500 rpm). I note that the above guidelines in the Ford Manual are intended for every Falcon using the ZF (I.e. normally aspirated, turbo and XR8 all).Then ....I discovered the wonders of 3rd! This gear can rocket you up to 140 km/h (up a hill) with the tacho at only about 4,750! It's nowhere near the redline but way above the Ford Manual's recommended maxiumum speed in 3rd (115 km/h).Is there anything wrong (for my gearbox and engine) with breaking the guidelines in the Ford Manual on maximum speed, especially by using 3rd to its potential? Am I going to break my engine if use 3rd around town and on the freeway (at mostly between 3,000 and 4,500 rpm)? I'm referring to everyday spirited driving.Out of interest, for maximum performance (I.e. dragway type conditions not every-day conditions) from a standing start, what speed do you guys shift at with the ZF 6 speed auto in manual mode?1st to 2nd? ...... km/h2nd to 3rd? ......3rd to 4th? ...... (will 4th take you to your top speed in a ZF?)4th to 5th? ...... (if ever)5th to 6th? ...... (if ever)I'd be really grateful for your thoughts .... WalkerBF MkII XR6T sedan6 speed ZF autoEgo, Luxury Interior Pack, Reverse Sensors, MP3 input Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcl Toughest BA Turbo Lifetime Members 3,408 Member For: 21y 4m Gender: Male Location: Sydney Posted 15/08/07 04:35 AM Share Posted 15/08/07 04:35 AM I've never read the Ford manual (sorry).I'm sure you'll find that most of us break the guidelines set by Ford everyday, and these boxes and motors are more than strong enough to cope with Fords recommendation. The overall gearing is very tall, except 1st, which is very low to get the weight moving.Diff is very tall at 2.73, compared to the manual 3.73.Theoretical Speeds (give or take a few %) in each gear at 5800 revs are:1st - 592nd - 105 3rd - 1624th - 215 5th - 2826th - 356No one would ever use 5th or 6th on the dragstrip.4th gives strong overtaking on the freeway.Never try to use 6th to accelerate on the freeway ... it's just way too tall; it's just an economy ratio.I'd expect you will break your gearbox well before your motor.The guys that drag race can tell you when they shift, but it probably depends on the level of modification, as the point of maximum torque is always a factor.Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagabond Bored Member Administrator 35,722 Member For: 21y 5m 11d Gender: Male Location: Dé·jà vu Posted 15/08/07 05:07 AM Share Posted 15/08/07 05:07 AM WTF... driving by the Ford manual.... sorry couldnt help myself.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blonk Iconoclast Donating Members 4,330 Member For: 19y 6m 29d Gender: Male Location: CH Posted 15/08/07 07:55 AM Share Posted 15/08/07 07:55 AM F6's have a shift change about 500rpm below spark cut......My car has hit rev cut so many time I had to get a soft cut installed..... All before it had 3000km's on it!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkerstreet Member 27 Member For: 17y 3m 14d Posted 15/08/07 10:29 AM Author Share Posted 15/08/07 10:29 AM Thanks Brian. That's exactly the kind of info I was wondering about re: gear speeds in real life and theoretically on the drag strip.I was wondering about perhaps using 3rd on the freeway to overtake as I seem to be able to get 140km/h on my T in 3rd while only hitting just over 4,500 revs. Would you endorse it for overtaking in some situations?Thanks Dags for the well deserved mockery of me ( ),Interesting about F6's blonck.Cheers,Walker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconic Bionic My engine bay is Bionic Donating Members 3,726 Member For: 18y 1m 6d Gender: Male Location: Freeways Posted 15/08/07 10:34 AM Share Posted 15/08/07 10:34 AM Definately my favourite gear for overtaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tab Sucker Moderating Team 32,303 Member For: 20y Gender: Male Location: Brisbane Posted 15/08/07 12:50 PM Share Posted 15/08/07 12:50 PM You'll also get higher revs in perf mode holding it flat to the floor...the computer pushes the engine a bit harder when it's looking after the gear changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mildman Member 149 Member For: 18y 5m 14d Posted 17/08/07 01:59 PM Share Posted 17/08/07 01:59 PM You'll also get higher revs in perf mode holding it flat to the floor...the computer pushes the engine a bit harder when it's looking after the gear changes. I'm sure when running in that third was still going at around 180kph... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Blue Powered by Ford's 3.7 V6 = Zoom Zoom Zoom! Member 890 Member For: 19y 5m 25d Gender: Male Location: Tweed Heads Posted 17/08/07 07:41 PM Share Posted 17/08/07 07:41 PM I would suggest this for your guideline:1) Find quiet deserted long private driveway.2) Put car into auto mode.3) Press right pedal hard to floor and hold.4) Record notes of speed at the point where each upshift is made.5) Use these notes as a guideline and try to stay within these speeds when driving in manual mode.6)If you accidentally have a slip up, computer safety management will intervene and cut your revs to save your engine and gearbox.NOW GET OUT THERE AND DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley Scott www.australianflag.org.au Donating Members 6,763 Member For: 18y 9m 8d Gender: Male Location: Brisbane Posted 19/08/07 01:51 AM Share Posted 19/08/07 01:51 AM Polictically incorrect, but never the less sound advice. Just one one of the many private roads, that members on here seem to have, then no trouble.Scotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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