First observations 2011 GT
GTR Member
Joined: February 18, 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 1
From: S.E. Texas
Also, you can force the stick past the skip-shift if it tries to engage, just have to push hard enough.
Cobra R Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 0
From: London, ON. Canada
Right - I have a manual. Sounds like I should just go up to 6th on the highway. I did do that once (it's hard to find a highway around here where you can actually drive fast enough for long enough to justify 6th), and like you said, the RPM was down around 2K or lower.
I'm not sure you really understand how to drive a manual. You don't need to be at high rpm's in every gear. There is nothing wrong with being under 2k rpm's. When I cruise in the GT500 I'll be at 1200 rpm's in 5th gear quite often- even around town. Many times I'll shift straight from 2nd to 4th because I'm not needing to hammer on the gas and go fast. This is how you save on fuel.
Member
Joined: June 28, 2010
Posts: 23
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If you think the car wants to go now, you're wrong. Stock, with low mileage, they are absolute dogs. I had a case of buyer's remorse coming on until I got about a 1000 miles on it, and then got a Steeda Cold-Air kit and tune. I was pretty happy !! Then Gus sends me the upgrade. No skipshift, and OMG......now it goes!!!
This AM on the way to work, I'm begging to get caught at a stoplight. Of course, doesn't happen when you want it to. Finally, I get an opportunity to get on it in second gear after letting the bus in front of me get a lead. Three grand, punch it..............sideways!!!! Now it's fun!
Get a Steeda CAI kit and tune. It will make you LOVE your car!!!!!
This AM on the way to work, I'm begging to get caught at a stoplight. Of course, doesn't happen when you want it to. Finally, I get an opportunity to get on it in second gear after letting the bus in front of me get a lead. Three grand, punch it..............sideways!!!! Now it's fun!
Get a Steeda CAI kit and tune. It will make you LOVE your car!!!!!
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 31, 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: cleveland ohio
I took my Mustang down the track where I work, and was a little embarrassed. It was stock, I had 39 pounds in the tires, missed third, etc. But still.................my prior hot rod was a '66 VW Bug that had a 2332 in it, N/A. It was faster than my Mustang and didn't cost $36,000.
Now................with 1200 miles on it, and more importantly a Steeda CAI and tune, it's what I thought it should be. Runs great now, fun to drive. But stock.......it was a DOG.
Bullitt Member
Joined: March 31, 2010
Posts: 291
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The car is geared VERY low, you'll row through the low gears quickly. I generally cruise between 1500-2000 RPM while not on the highway, so I'm generally in 5th at 40-45, depending on traffic and hill conditions. 6th I use even going 55. Highway cruise is generally 2000 RPM, and I never take it out of 6th.
I will buy Jack Stands!!!
Joined: July 13, 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 29
From: Florida
All depends on what your used to.
I took my Mustang down the track where I work, and was a little embarrassed. It was stock, I had 39 pounds in the tires, missed third, etc. But still.................my prior hot rod was a '66 VW Bug that had a 2332 in it, N/A. It was faster than my Mustang and didn't cost $36,000.
Now................with 1200 miles on it, and more importantly a Steeda CAI and tune, it's what I thought it should be. Runs great now, fun to drive. But stock.......it was a DOG.
I took my Mustang down the track where I work, and was a little embarrassed. It was stock, I had 39 pounds in the tires, missed third, etc. But still.................my prior hot rod was a '66 VW Bug that had a 2332 in it, N/A. It was faster than my Mustang and didn't cost $36,000.
Now................with 1200 miles on it, and more importantly a Steeda CAI and tune, it's what I thought it should be. Runs great now, fun to drive. But stock.......it was a DOG.
Basically, I'm trying to know your complete logic behind your statement. I've never heard a new 5.0 called a dog, ever, so that's why I have to ask.
of that bug 
V6 Member
Joined: April 9, 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
I'm at 1750 RPM's with the 3.55's at 60mph. I shift to 6th at 45 mph. If you want to avoid the skipshift, shift around 15 mph to second.
As far as the dog comment, I relate somewhat. It felt great to me initially - can't say it was a dog at that point. But, after I tuned it, there was a huge improvement - the way the car should have come from the factory. In hind sight, I can relate to the dog comment. JMHO
As far as the dog comment, I relate somewhat. It felt great to me initially - can't say it was a dog at that point. But, after I tuned it, there was a huge improvement - the way the car should have come from the factory. In hind sight, I can relate to the dog comment. JMHO
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: May 19, 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 12
From: Chicago area
I'm at 1750 RPM's with the 3.55's at 60mph. I shift to 6th at 45 mph. If you want to avoid the skipshift, shift around 15 mph to second.
As far as the dog comment, I relate somewhat. It felt great to me initially - can't say it was a dog at that point. But, after I tuned it, there was a huge improvement - the way the car should have come from the factory. In hind sight, I can relate to the dog comment. JMHO
As far as the dog comment, I relate somewhat. It felt great to me initially - can't say it was a dog at that point. But, after I tuned it, there was a huge improvement - the way the car should have come from the factory. In hind sight, I can relate to the dog comment. JMHO
I really need to get out on the open road. I haven't gotten above 60 MPH yet.
Cobra R Member
Joined: June 17, 2010
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Virginia
I'm at 1750 RPM's with the 3.55's at 60mph. I shift to 6th at 45 mph. If you want to avoid the skipshift, shift around 15 mph to second.
As far as the dog comment, I relate somewhat. It felt great to me initially - can't say it was a dog at that point. But, after I tuned it, there was a huge improvement - the way the car should have come from the factory. In hind sight, I can relate to the dog comment. JMHO
As far as the dog comment, I relate somewhat. It felt great to me initially - can't say it was a dog at that point. But, after I tuned it, there was a huge improvement - the way the car should have come from the factory. In hind sight, I can relate to the dog comment. JMHO
I looked for the answers in your sig, but alas...
Cobra R Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 0
From: London, ON. Canada
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, with the traffic congestion in my area, it almost never makes sense to go into 6th at 45 MPH, because I'm likely going to be stopping sometime in the next minute or two, either at a red light (yes, even some highways around here have traffic lights) or because of congestion.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: April 22, 2010
Posts: 903
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I have the same issue. 40-45 in 6th is barely over 1000 RPM, very little power and the slightest slowdown in traffic means shifting to 5th and probably tapping the brakes. Around here with all the hills and traffic conditions people often don't stay a constant speed, and may suddenly drop to 35 then accelerate to 45 without much warning. Thus, I keep it in 5th in that kind of traffic. It's not a common form, but there is this one road that's become notorious to me for it. Oddly, it's rather flat, but there are various turn offs with no turn lanes and construction going on that speed often drops, sometimes significantly, and the speed limit is 45.
Anyway, that's just my experience with it. What I mean to say is that I've hit some roads where it's just easier to leave it in 5th. Spares the brakes and clutch some, and you don't really break 2000 RPM in 5th that way anyway. 5th-6th is a pretty steep change compared to the rest of the gearing, less than 2/3rds the ratio of what 5th is, so it gets to be a little tricky in that area.
Anyway, that's just my experience with it. What I mean to say is that I've hit some roads where it's just easier to leave it in 5th. Spares the brakes and clutch some, and you don't really break 2000 RPM in 5th that way anyway. 5th-6th is a pretty steep change compared to the rest of the gearing, less than 2/3rds the ratio of what 5th is, so it gets to be a little tricky in that area.
