Gas vs. Clutch

[95.0Stang]

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]

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

 

[Engel]

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

 

[HISSIN50]

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]

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

 

[final5-0]

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

I did it when stock with 308's

Grady

 

[The Green GT]

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

 

[HISSIN50]

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]

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.

 

[95.0Stang]

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]

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]

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

 

[Foxfan88]

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.

 

[95.0Stang]

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]

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]

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.

 

[95.0Stang]

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