According to the info I have ('94 through '98), that is correct. The details
are somewhat interesting.
Mazda kept the same gear ratios in the 5-speed tranny from '94 to '98 (and
maybe later but my data stops at '98 and I'm too lazy to check the other
years). In '98 they "shortened" the diff ratio from 4.1 to 4.3, but they also
increased the wheel size by an amount that happens to be the same percentage
(coincidence??), so the differential change is negated by the increase in
wheel size and the overall speeds in gears should be exactly the same for all
of these cars, and none of them can hit true 60 mph in 2nd gear. They should
hit redline (7,000 RPM) in 2nd gear at a true speed of approximately 56-57
mph.
This probably looks like 60 on the speedo. Most of the speedometers I've had
in my cars both past and present read 2-5 mph higher than actual speed.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Scot Zediker
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 16:08
To: Rich Urschel; Glenn Ellingson
Cc: ba-autox@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Classes and course speeds
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Urschel" <OSP13@attglobal.net>
To: "Glenn Ellingson" <geewiz@mac.com>
Cc: <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: Classes and course speeds
> Yes, which gear you are in is also car dependent. For SCCA
> courses (not AAS):
>
> "Courses must be tight enough so that cars run the
> entire course in their lower gears. Speeds on straight
> stretches should not normally exceed the low 60's (mph)
> for the fastest Stock and Street Prepared category cars."
>
> If we interpret 2nd gear as the highest permissible "lower"
> gear and use my car as a bench mark, top speed would
> have to drop below 55mph.
Good point. Low 60's (real, not indicated on the speedo) for a Miata is 3rd
gear no matter which manual tranny you have.
Scot
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