USMCFieldMP

iTrader: (1)

Close... but not quite. Looks like he had things confused as well. The "Top Gear" he is referring to is your "Final Drive Gear", NOT your fifth gear. If you change your 5th gear... it would have NO affect on the other gears... Your FINAL GEAR, however, is changeable... and it affects ALL gears. The Grand Am Cup Cobalt changed it's Final Gear to be a little bit closer to 2.500 for faster Acceleration.
But if you look closely, he was talking about doing the OPPOSITE of what I want, as far as gear ratio... he changed the Final Gear ratio to get better acceleration... making 1st gear shorter... I want to make it Longer... be able to hit 45 mph in 1st gear. That would drop you into 2nd a little bit after the takeoff point.
My main reason for wanting to do it was to get better traction... a Longer gear takes more time to get through... therefor it is harder to spin the tires. It looks to be not worth the money it would take though.

Doc

I reduced the boost in 1st and don't spin the tires unless I launch above ~2500rpm. This is a much cheaper option it can be changed in a matter of minutes too.

rnjmur

I notice someone else also mentioned about 1st being like a towing gear, which is exactly what it is for. I was doing some research on the F35 to try and find a better gear ratio setup myself and came across a bulletin somewhere (don't remember where it was) where GM was stating that the F35 gearing wouldn't be changed from the gearing in the Saabs even though the low end gearing is set up for towing and in the US we don't typically tow with coupes.

Just thought this was an interesting fact is all. And I never did find any easy way to swap out the tranny or gears. I did see where there is supposed to be a new transmission used in the Saabs i think for this year or next, but I think it is only for the V6 models so there goes trying to bolt it on to our cars....

USMCFieldMP

iTrader: (1)

Don't I need HP Tuners? I've thought of that as well... but then warranty goes out the door. I'm trying to keep it going. But I've had the car 7 months and just hit 15000miles... so i don't imagine it will last that much longer. I think that might be my next modification purchase. I'm still gonna wait on a response from GMPD. They might have some helpful info.

Either way... its a towing gear, and that is gay. And what's funny is that when i lived in England... they really do use their CARS to tow everything. I only saw 1 truck in my entire time there... and it was imported. It is EXTREMELY funny to see a $$$$ BMW 7 series towing a camper down the interstate!!!

R&C_rallySS

I think everyone in this post can agree about the gears in our cars. I would love to be able to wind out first gear a little longer. Maybe top speed in first gear @ 55 or so around 7k rmps. It would also be nice to have a 6 speed in the car. I really don't like going over 70 in the highway cuz like someone said its like a little over 3k. Would be nice to have that extra gear for highway.

Doc

Well, yea you need to have HPTuners or access to it. As far as warranty and HPTuners, it's not that easy to see modification done by HPTuners without knowing what your looking for. There are some obvious clues, but usually the dealerships won't know.

Cobalt_Supercharged

I'm running stock tuning and from first to second I drop to 3,500rpm after going to 6,500rpm in first. I think if first were to drop you to about 4,500-5,000 going to second that would be awesome.

USMCFieldMP

iTrader: (1)

I really don't care about where it drops me... I was wanting to make it harder to spin the tires.

Cobalt_Supercharged

Well if it drops you into second higher, you won't bog as much from 1-2 which would probably help more than you think. And any higher gearing is bound to help reduce the wheel spin.

8cd03gro

you bog going into second?!

USMCFieldMP

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, if you don't shift high enough in first... you won't be in the powerband at all... and the engine sort of bogs down.

InfinityzeN

Actually, I think the ratio for reverse would be just about perfect for 1st gear. Most likely net you another 5~6mph and 500rpms when you shift to 2nd.

8cd03gro

wow maybe you guys do need to swap...LOL.

mezzanno

yeah had gm actually made a tranny meant for this car it would have been capable of high 13's stock.

Cobalt_Supercharged

Actually, I think the ratio for reverse would be just about perfect for 1st gear. Most likely net you another 5~6mph and 500rpms when you shift to 2nd.[/quote]
Blown 4-banger and I were thinking the same thing a few months ago, but not sure since I have never gone faster than 5mph in reverse.

With a damn good driver. Mid to low 14's with an average driver.

USMCFieldMP

iTrader: (1)

I'm curious now... Maybe I'll go to a parking lot today and try and Maxx out reverse... See where that puts the MPH & RPM's. Just for the hell of it.

Cobalt_Supercharged

Be careful. We know it will be over 40mph and at those speeds the car is very sensative to steering input. Also your braking ability will be all screwed up since you have more bias in the front than the back. Besure to give yourself plenty of extra room to be safe and make sure the parking lot is empty.

8cd03gro

over 40....i really doubt that. are you sure it isn't limited? i can't see gm letting reverse hit 40.

InfinityzeN

I'd actually like to see the results. Heck, in my pickup truck I hit 20mph in reverse after spinning the tires already. Watch out when you try it though, because the car will take off faster since it will be "RWD"...

Cobalt_Supercharged

I knew a guy that drove at the GM Desert Proving Grounds and said the stock C5 Corvette's will read 62 on the speedo in reverse. Always good info to have.