chevyman

I noticed when I drive that I rarely use 2nd gear. I rev to about 2000-2500 in first [ on purpose because of the chambers - they sound awesome ] then I go right to third without hesitation. When I go to second It feels like downshifting. Is it because I shift to high from first. Is this safe on my tranny.

Chris Fowler

When I pull it hard I will sometimes go 1st, 2nd, 4th, skipping 3rd.

I don't think I ever go 1st straight to 3rd.

If shifting to second feels like downshifting you're shifting too slowly. :D

bence13_33

I would tend to think that you are revving 1st gear out too long. 1st gear is only to get you started, try shifting around 1500 RPMs to second...the transition should be somewhat smoother. Whenever I have my girlfriend in the car with me I always skip gears (i.e. 1st to 3rd, 2nd to 4th) to make the shifting as smooth as possible. Whenever I'm by myself or have a buddy with me I wind all the gears up to let the side pipes sing :)

63Banshee

If you have low gears you can get away with not using 1st.

Flareside

Chevyman, if your engines got the torque, skip away. You're not going to hurt anything. Most of us skip gears at times. With my gears, I sometimes skip second just like you do. Going through all the gears under light acceleration is pretty unproductive.

-Joe

79MakoL82

Actually, I think it was GDaina or Ganey who said that they usually shortshift 1st-2nd at the strip. First is great for a lot of torque, but it makes more sense to get into 2nd earlier, so that when you hit second, your lower on the torque curve and don't spin as much, then wind it out in 2nd. Don't see much purpose to winding out in 1st and hitting 3rd at the low end of the torque curve when you're probably NOT going to spin your tires in 3rd. My suggestion, go 1-2-3-4 and short shift 1-2, or go 2-3-4.

Turbo-Jet

funny story:

when i was first test driving my car, i slowly pulled out of the lot in second gear (thinking it was 1st) and goosed it. I was impressed with the power, but i looked down and thought, holy poopie, that was 2nd! so i slowed, dropped it back to 1st, broke tires loose and was even happier.

Jughead

Interesting---my Dad told me that in the past and a couple weekends ago Parnelli Jones was interviewed. He said unless he was drag racing(which he didn't) he'd always start out in 2nd.

73Ken73

When I get on my car I shift from 1st to 2nd at about 4000 RPM and leave about 20'of rubber. Third does come quick. I don't think that I have ever gone from 1st to 3rd. I have started out in third by mistake.

73 LS-4

If you have an M-21 car with 3.08's you can do the 1-4 shift. Albeit you have to be pretty hard on it through first :D

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

mrvette

Obviously it depends on the terrain, and engine torque, and rear axel ratio of course....but with the original carb, my '72 muncie vette needed 1st on level ground, then third....when I went to L98 injection as the ONLY mod, the charactoristics changed...so completely I took to driving 2nd to forth all the time unless it was a VERY steep uphill start, or needed precise controll....
I had a 336 rear gear...same as today...

GENE

Matt Gruber

don't shift out of first until you check the mirror for cops

Caution: i stayed in 1st and they still came after me today

parttime

i love playing with the stick shift (no pun intended)...
so i always go 1-2-3-4, what's the point of driving
a manual if you don't play with all the gears

70L46

I only got 4 gears, I'm using every damn one of 'em :jester

R. Bruno

Ditto w/ others. I think because of the rear ratio I can start in 2nd no problem- 1st seems really LOW.

69bblock3x2

I always start in 1st then shift into 2nd. However, if I am just out cruising I will skip 3rd and shift right into 4th. It's no problem with a M21 and a Big Block.

John

81vette

I only have 4 gears, and I use everyone. If I had a 6 speed I'd use everyone of those too. Come to think of it....if I could get an 18 wheelers tranny in my car that would be even more fun. Has anyone done this mod yet??? :lol: :lol: :lol:


[Modified by 81vette, 9:03 PM 11/17/2001]

Bill W

I often go 1st to 3rd if I'm not getting on it. The first two gears are so low in the M20 that even with a 3:36 rear and a small block you can go 1st to 3rd and out accelerate most cars in normal traffic.