Gas vs. Clutch

9

95.0Stang

Member

Feb 20, 2003

538

1

18

Kansas

Jun 8, 2007

#1

• Jun 8, 2007

• #1

I have a 95 GT with 373 gears and a 5spd. In order to increase gas mileage I decided to start shifting at 2k rpm. That means engaging the clutch alot, I am getting about an extra 2mpg, but is that worth the additional wear on the clutch in the long term? I do mostly highway driving with the car to and from work 30.1 miles one way, and another 30.1 back home, but on my days off I like to drive the car around town, and with the O/R H, and Flowmasters I really like the sound, and so does everybody else.

 

True 5.0

Member

Sep 22, 2006

237

0

17

Southeastern Wisconsin

Jun 8, 2007

#2

• Jun 8, 2007

• #2

Just learn to only use the clutch for first and reverse.

 

Engel

Member

Apr 2, 2005

219

0

16

Currently Fort Walton Beach

Jun 8, 2007

#3

• Jun 8, 2007

• #3

ive been granny shifting like that for 2 years now and no clutch problems

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jun 9, 2007

#4

• Jun 9, 2007

• #4

Clutches are a lot cheaper than trannies (unless rebuilding your own trans, which many choose not to do). I would not even begin to consider any loss of clutch life from having to shift a little extra (you still end up in the same top gear, right).

There's a fine line between finding a compromise of decent fuel economy and engine efficiency. Shifting at 2K can cause near lugging, which means that you would have to depress the gas pedal further to go anywhere.

 

Therian

The Highlander

Founding Member

Apr 21, 2002

0

1

0

Waterloo, Ontario

Jun 9, 2007

#5

• Jun 9, 2007

• #5

Does anybody find with 2.73 gears that they go from 2nd gear straight to 5th?

 

final5-0

Mustang Master

Apr 6, 2003

6,817

12

79

DFW Texas

Jun 9, 2007

#6

• Jun 9, 2007

• #6

Therian said:

Does anybody find with 2.73 gears that they go from 2nd gear straight to 5th?

Click to expand...

I did it when stock with 308's

Grady

 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.

10 Year Member

Jan 8, 2006

1,269

19

99

Louisiana

Jun 9, 2007

#7

• Jun 9, 2007

• #7

I usually shift around 2500-3000 so I dont underpower the engine.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jun 9, 2007

#8

• Jun 9, 2007

• #8

I actually thought going from 2-5 would be a LOT easier with numerically high gears (3.73's, etc).
With 2.73's, I had a tough time shifting from 4th to 5th alone. Y'all have some HCI combos and some good low end grunt.

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Jun 9, 2007

#9

• Jun 9, 2007

• #9

I find myself (still stock 3.08's mind you) shifting from 2-4, but never 2-5 unless I just wound out first and second to get up to the limit in a hurry. What's low end grunt with a TFS1 cam, JT? Mine doesn't come alive until about 3k RPM.

 

9

95.0Stang

Member

Feb 20, 2003

538

1

18

Kansas

Jun 9, 2007

#10

• Jun 9, 2007

• #10

wow, sounds like you guys push your cars alot harder then I do mine!

2k rpm has not had a lugging type problem with my car yet, probably because of the 373s in the rear.

I hate shifting so often, I will probably go back to shifting aroud 2700rpm.

 

94-302-vert

Active Member

Aug 16, 2004

1,947

2

36

NE CT

Jun 9, 2007

#11

• Jun 9, 2007

• #11

keep it under 2k... why have a mustang... my bid is selling a honda....

For me I shift at 3-5.5k all day... treat it like it wants to be treated....

 

Twista

Active Member

May 7, 2004

510

2

29

@ the z00 in chicago

Jun 9, 2007

#12

• Jun 9, 2007

• #12

I shift 2500-4000 every day. I also fill up my gas tank alot ;[

 

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.

Sep 13, 2004

2,487

4

0

Miami, Ok

Jun 9, 2007

#13

• Jun 9, 2007

• #13

i just drive the car, its not a honda or fuel efficient car so i dont drive it like one.

i dont try to lug it around in hopes of going from horrible fuel mileage to a little less horrible fuel milage.

as far as rpms i usually go to 3k and then shift, i dont really look at the tack i just drive it until i shift lol i just dont pay attention i just drive the car.

 

9

95.0Stang

Member

Feb 20, 2003

538

1

18

Kansas

Jun 9, 2007

#14

• Jun 9, 2007

• #14

I agree, when I really drive the car, I just drive it, usually I shift in the 2700-3000 zone, and based oon my new findings I will probably continue to do that. I did the 2000 thing again on this last tank of gas and got about 1mpg out of the last tank. Just not worth it, I think I might as well drive it like I mean it.

 

JJ95GTID

Active Member

Sep 22, 2003

1,141

4

49

Phoenix, AZ

Jun 10, 2007

#15

• Jun 10, 2007

• #15

I've done the same experiment:

I shifted @ 2k and did not gun the gas which netted me 23mpg.

Driving normal shifting 2.5-3.5k with a slight lead foot and get 20mpg.

If I am gunning the gas at every stop sign shifting @ 5-6.5k then I get around 18mpg.

Got a Paxton Novi GSS supercharger ready to go on soon.
Should be interesting to see what my mpg is going to do.

 

droptopford 5 0

Member

Mar 31, 2005

427

0

17

Jun 10, 2007

#16

• Jun 10, 2007

• #16

damn... i when i drive normal i shift just over 2 grand with my 2.73's and am usually going faster than traffic so i have to shift under that... if im going for gas mileage ill shift at about 1600, and if i were to shift at 3 grand or above id be gettin on it and the o/r h would sound like im an A-hole, lol... and i dont even care about mpg's... i just dont wanna be pulled over so i dont make a ton of noise.

 

9

95.0Stang

Member

Feb 20, 2003

538

1

18

Kansas

Jun 10, 2007

#17

• Jun 10, 2007

• #17

373s change your mustang into a totally different car, when i had 273s I usually shifted around 2000.