Adam,
I disagree with your assessment that a 5-speed is not a good mate for a
1600. It is the one improvement that will provide the most smiles for the
miles! Highway cruising will be a lot more enjoyable and, I have to say,
that my roadster seems to pull stronger in 5th gear on inclines than a lot
of other vehicles.
The gearing differences between a 4-speed and 5-speed are in 1st and 2nd
gears. From a standing start the 5-speed may seem a bit sluggish. However,
I gladly trade that for what seems to be greater performance range (at same
RPM, higher MPH in 5-speed). I find the 5-speed gearing much more to my
liking in the twisties where I can use 1st and 2nd gear more in the higher
RPMs which with the 4-speed would require a shift to be at the same MPH.
Joseph Roach
65 1500
San Diego
At 06:29 PM 3/4/01 -0800, Adam Bradley wrote:
> After all that, you'll probably end up with a car that is sluggish off
>the line and can't maintain speed in 5th gear on slight inclines. The
>gearing of the 5-speed is way off from the 4-speed, and the rear end of
>the 2000 is different, too. The 1600 is a great engine (I've owned 5
>1600's and they all ran even though they were junky cars, I don't
>understand this NROC club thing) but doesn't have the torque needed to
>push the 5-speed properly.
>
>A stroked 1600, on the other hand, would be a good candidate for a
>5-speed transplant.
>
>Adam
>'70 1600
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