metroplex

A girl at work said she starts in 2nd gear with her car (6-speed manual) and it got me thinking... would this even be practicle or safe?

The TR-3650's 2nd gear ratio is 2.00:1 which is close to the AOD's first gear ratio (2.40:1) and within range of the 4R70W (2.84:1). Sure it won't win any races but would the clutch, drivetrain, or powertrain be damaged if I always started off in 2nd gear w/ the GT?

It seems like I have to shift out 1st gear very early if I want any decent gas mileage or smooth driving. The owner's manual even recommends shifting into 2nd at 11 mph which is like a few feet from the starting position.

SteelTownStang

Sure you can, but why? Maybe a rolling stop, but no benefit in doing "that" from a dead stop.

metroplex

I'm not sure. Would there be a slight boost in gas mileage? 1st gear revs up pretty fast and I find that I have to shift out of 1st fairly quickly. Using the AOD's 1st gear ratio of 2.40, I'd only be ~1-3 mph off for the first 2000 RPM using the TR-3650's 2nd gear ratio of 2.00 (so they are pretty darn close).

manystangs

Silly Girl!

theedge67

It will not hurt anything other than you will have to slip the clutch a little more each time. You might wear out the clutch a little bit sooner, but then again you don't have to use it for the 1-2 shift, so it might be about a draw there. I start out in second sometimes, usually not on purpose. If I do it, I don't sweat it, no big deal. Heck, yesterday I started out in 3rd on accident and thought it was second until I was like "hey, this is really doggy, I'm really having to slip it like crazy to go here." Rather than engage the clutch and shift down to 2nd or 1st I just kept going. It works. No harm no foul.

Little Black Pony

I start in 2nd quite frequently. Especially if i'm pointed down hill or doing a rolling stop. Sometimes 1st just has too much HP when you are crawling in traffic.

I guess it boils down to... If you already have some momentum going forward and you don't need a full on throttle blast then starting in 2nd is fine.

Northwest GT

Start in 2nd in slippery conditions or snow. I've done it in shift cars and autos for a long time. No problems.

Little Black Pony

Yery good point! I did that in our last snow storm with great success.

05GT-O.C.D.

I start in 2nd quite often. Doesn't harm a thing. That girl sounds like she knows how to drive a manual.

clintoris

Actually, it puts a lot of strain on the throw out bearing. I can't say exactly how... but I know that when I was workin' construction, we used to drive 24' trucks all the time. It was a PITA to start them in granny gear, mainly because they wouldn't downshift into granny unless the truck was completely stopped. In traffic... that was a real batch.... so we always started them in 2nd. I can't tell you how many ***-chewings we got because the boss had to keep having the TOB replaced on the trannies. I wouldn't recommend it...
But the fact that she has a 6 speed doesn't make it any different.... most of the time, the lower 4 gears aren't really reduced in ratio at all.... the 6th gear is just a second over drive.

metroplex

TR-6060 (6-speed in GT500):
1: 2.97
2: 1.78
3: 1.30
4: 1.00
5: 0.80
6: 0.63

TR-3650 (5-speed in GT):
1: 3.38
2: 2.00
3: 1.32
4: 1.00
5: 0.62

AOD:
1: 2.40
2: 1.47
3: 1.00
4: 0.67

4R70W:
1: 2.84
2: 1.55
3: 1.00
4: 0.70

So starting in 2nd gear with the TR-6060 might actually be a bit worse than starting in 2nd gear with the TR-3650.

theedge67

This brings up another question to mind regarding the gear ratios. It looks like the 6 speed and 5 speed all end up at the same ratio by the time 4th comes around. With the tons of torque and hp available at all rpms with the big GT500 engine, why would it not be faster with a 5 speed? Every time you shift you lose a little time. It seems to me that the main benefit of having a 6 speed is to keep the engine in it's powerband, which are usually narrow. The powerband on the GT500 is huge, so it doesn't need to be kept between say 5000-6000rpms to make it's power. Just put it in gear and go, less shifting = quicker time???

AWmustang

The other thing to consider is the rear ends gear ratio. That contributes to the overall gear ratio. So if you just look at the transmission ratios you aren't comparing apples to apples.

praztek

Any extra wear on the clutch by shifting from 1st to 3rd and then to 5th?

Thanks

theedge67

Not really, maybe just a little bit, but it is probably more than offset by the fact that you only have to shift twice to get to 5th, rather than 4 times.

metroplex

Since the weather was fantastic, I took the Stang out for a spin and tried starting 2nd gear. It wasn't too bad and the car had decent acceleration for starting off.

theedge67

I don't rely on matching the rpms to what the manual suggests...do your own thing is what I say. Shift it how YOU want to shift it, it's your car. Some people prefer to shift at higher rpm's, some at lower. Just my opinion though.

metroplex

I agree but the manual's recommendation is supposed to yield the best fuel economy. I think it's fun to wind out first gear once in awhile but keeping it under 2k RPM seems to be easier on the gas.

theedge67

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't really implying you should wind it out in first. More like 2500-2800rpms for a normal shift. That will get you to around 20mph or so, and not feel like your shifting so early in first. I usually shift around 2200-2500 for the rest of my shifts. Experiment with different shift points under different throttle loads/conditions. It will take a while but you will eventually get a feel for when the CAR wants to be shifted. Keep in mind there is no RIGHT or WRONG shift point, it's all relative.

MooreGT

Man, I drive totally different than you guys.. but I guess I like to be put in my seat a little at most stop lights.. so the MPG is measured in "smiles per mile.. the more smiles, the less miles"