4 spd vs 5 spd pros and cons

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Just giving you my opinion, but I wouldn't want a 2.88 final drive ratio. For one thing, getting out of the hole in 1st gear would not be optimal, sluggish really and could lead to premature clutch wear.....

Time I weighed in with my opinion. I don't understand that with a light weight car like a Cobra replica, and especially with big block torque, how can getting out of the hole be a problem for anybody? Sluggish ? I would have thought that with a lower rear end ratio of around 3.5 to 1, avoiding wheelspin out of the hole would be the major problem....no?
My FIA replica will have a 2.92 diff ratio combined with a WR Toploader. That's like a five speed without a first gear, but I can't see any problems getting off the line with it. If it's flat or downhill and I'm in no hurry, I start in second gear in my old Alfa (150-odd thousand miles, and still the original factory fitted clutch)....no problem whatsoever because it's so torquey, so I can't see any sweat at all with my aluminium chassis'd replica with mild 302 engine. 60mph in first gear will be available, and so will good highway ability.

Just thought I'd stir the pot a little more. 6 pages??



Cheers,
Glen