Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimman
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deslock
Why wouldn't you upshift to 6th? (this car should make enough power after upshifting to continue accelerating)
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Because the rpm drop of the overdrive gear(s) usually puts top gear rpm/hp too low to fight the aero drag at that point.
Top gear would be top speed provided you have the power to fight drag. |
According to the spreadsheets at
http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=541682, the FT has plenty of power to overcome air and rolling drag at 136-144 MPH after upshifting to 6th. I guesstimated 5800 RPM/135 HP at the wheels after the upshift, CoD = 0.27, frontal area approx 19.5-20.5 ft^2, sea level, and 65 F.
Even if you drop down to a slightly lower RPM, or if those spreadsheets aren't quite accurate (because they ignore increased losses due to internal friction or other factors), it seems there is enough of a margin to continue accelerating in 6th.
However, I have no experience calculating top speed and I've not driven more than 135 MPH, so I'm far from an authority on this. And I don't care about top speed anyway... I'm just curious because of the comments that it's limited by redline rather than the computer (perhaps it was a mistranslation).