I had a question, what is maximum optimal speed that you should be down shifting to 3rd gear? I tried at 80mph and it brougth me right near 6K, I think it is not optimal at that speed, it migh actually slow the car down. I think 4th gear would be better at that speed and it brings engine near 4500K I think, not sure.

So is 70mph or so good speed to downshift to 3rd?

The reason I am asking is because, I used to own 2000 SE 5-speed and in that car downshifting to 3rd near 80mph was great.

I guess because 6-speed on my car now is close ration compared to 5-speed I had that is why the differences in rpms in gears.

 

Seems like you have contradictory concerns here. Your first sentence asks what the 'maximum speed' could be, then you go on to more of a performance concern.

Obviously the maximum speed would be that which would not cause the car to redline in the lower gear. As far as performance, that is a different story.

 

Yeah, well I was mostly asking what is the more optimal speed downshifting to 3rd. I just always get confused, because I used to downshift to 3rd going 80mph in my 2000 5-speed and it gave me plenty of power to use.
Now when I did the same on 6-speed, it felt like it was actually slowing the car down.

So I am thinking 70mph maybe a better speed to use 3rd?

 

Since I don't have a 6 speed, can't tell you specific numbers, but the short story is to try different speeds and use the one you think works best.

 

If im going around 80, and want to punch it, I'll downshift to 3rd. If you know how to properly shift, your car won't slow down at all.

 

That's not what he was talking about I think. He means that if you downshift into 3rd at 80 and hit 6000rpm, then you'll have to upshift almost immediately after getting on the gas since you'll be hitting redline.

You're talking about slowing the car down by using the clutch as the brake--different things!

I'd say you want to downshift to the gear where you'd end up around 4k rpms at the speed. That way you're hitting just below the meat of the power, and once you step on the gas, you'll be in peak power territory.

 

I've owned my 6-spd since July and have figured some of this stuff out

Ok, to downshift to 3rd, for maximum power and torque, I recommend doing it at 60 mph, that'll put you at around 4300 (peak torque almost) and you can rev it all the way to around 85ish then shift to 4th.

If you're going 70 or over, I recommend 4th, it'll help you pass cars with ease and it's not to high up there so you have to shift while you are "passing".

 

I don't even bother with 3rd gear at that speed. Now 4th gear, that is a different story. Plenty of passing power downshifting to 4th.

 

Nice, thanks for the info. I played around with my gears on the highway today and pretty much what you said is true. Donshifting to 3rd going 70mph or over is not usefull at all as it puts you around 6K rpms.

Shifting hard into 3rd going 50mph puts your right near peak torque, so this make tires chirp pretty easy.

 

Right, Cruising at 70, downshifting from 6th directly to 4th and then flooring it for about 5 seconds is a blast! However, I have missed the shift and accidentally gone into 2nd for a fraction of a second. DOH! Downshifting to 3rd would be OK too I guess, but I'd really hate to miss going for 3rd - RPMs would then be, what, about 9000???

 

don't mess with us 2k/2k1 5sp at 80mph, cuz we'll drop to third and laterz... ...of course, if equipped w/y&b-pipe, underdrive crank pulley, wai and low profile tires....it'll really be LATERZ...