Manual Transmission T56 | T5 | MN12 | Clutches | Hydraulics | Shifters

T56 Experts...question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 02:55 PM
  #1  
DeepBlueZ's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Default T56 Experts...question

Why in the hell am I reading these posts on another board stating that, for the sake of the transmission, you should NEVER use 5th or 6th gear unless you're on the highway?

some people say don't drive under 1500 RPM in 5th or 6th, some people say it's 2000 RPM in 5th or 6th and one guy even posts up that he keeps his car above 2250 ALL THE TIME on highways (meaning he either drives 90+ mph or flat-out doesn't use 6th).

What the hell is the point of HAVING a 6th gear if you're going to **** away 2200+ RPM worth of gas at cruising speed? All of a sudden I'm going to damage my 6-speed by using all six gears???

I use 5th on surface streets all the time anywhere after about 40 mph (only about 1400-1500 RPM).

a T56 is nothing but a box with a bunch of shafts and gears inside it...Why does it matter which gear ratio you're in at what RPM???

Usually i wouldn't even ask this question because it sounds flat-out stupid but there are enough of these people agreeing about this to make me wonder if I'm missing something here...

Why have I never read about this with vettes or f-bodies? Next thing ya know, I'll be reading that the Australians warn us not to use the clutch when we shift so we don't wear it out and to always shut the car off at red lights because idling will damage the motor....
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 03:11 PM
  #2  
MeentSS02's Avatar
Kleeborp the Moderator™
20 Year Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10,316
Likes: 6
From: Dayton, OH
Default

And the internet mechanics strike again
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 05:59 PM
  #3  
DONAIMIAN's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
From: NW Houston, TX
Default

I cruise at 70mph/1600rpm all the time. Sometimes if I have to slow down on the highway, I wont shift out of 6th untill the RPM's get to around 1200.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 06:07 PM
  #4  
BlackBirdWs6Zzz's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Default

people are idiots. But make us laugh at the same time. I cruise the same way and have never had problems. The guys are just rambling on like they know something.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 06:23 PM
  #5  
SladeX's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 2
Default

I usually drive in 5th or 6th until the rpms go below 1500 rpm, even then I will not downshift unless I am under 1500rpm AND need to accelerate a significant amount. Most of the time it's too much effort to downshift to 5th only then to go back to 6th for my desired speed.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 09:16 AM
  #6  
jermzz's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Bay area, ca.
Default

Originally Posted by DeepBlueZ
Why in the hell am I reading these posts on another board stating that, for the sake of the transmission, you should NEVER use 5th or 6th gear unless you're on the highway?

some people say don't drive under 1500 RPM in 5th or 6th, some people say it's 2000 RPM in 5th or 6th and one guy even posts up that he keeps his car above 2250 ALL THE TIME on highways (meaning he either drives 90+ mph or flat-out doesn't use 6th).

What the hell is the point of HAVING a 6th gear if you're going to **** away 2200+ RPM worth of gas at cruising speed? All of a sudden I'm going to damage my 6-speed by using all six gears???

I use 5th on surface streets all the time anywhere after about 40 mph (only about 1400-1500 RPM).

a T56 is nothing but a box with a bunch of shafts and gears inside it...Why does it matter which gear ratio you're in at what RPM???

Usually i wouldn't even ask this question because it sounds flat-out stupid but there are enough of these people agreeing about this to make me wonder if I'm missing something here...

Why have I never read about this with vettes or f-bodies? Next thing ya know, I'll be reading that the Australians warn us not to use the clutch when we shift so we don't wear it out and to always shut the car off at red lights because idling will damage the motor....
lower rmp puts more stress on the motor and causes carbon build up.

Not a prolem under 1200 or so rpm for a sustained amount of time.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 02:29 PM
  #7  
daryl2cb@yahoo.com's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 0
From: Greensburg,PA
Default

hmm, I sometimes get into sixth at 45mph, cars got power might as well use it. sound like bs to me.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 09:51 PM
  #8  
wrencher's Avatar
wrencher
20 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Default

I drive 6th all the time cam'n hard in some instances.(big cam)
Heck I run at the least 1400ish sometimes w/ a 4.10! LOL at the keyboard mechanic's.
There are 2 overdrives & are meant to be used when possible.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 10:05 PM
  #9  
ponyhater27's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: Lewisport, KY
Default

Werd, I use my 6th gear just about everytime I drive my car. I also drive alot on highways where the speed is 55 but I cruise at around 65ish in 6th.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 10:44 PM
  #10  
Spenser309's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Coppell,TX
Default

yea right, carbon build up. sure, so the 14.7 afr your running at cruise is gonna build up carbon. Thats only for initial startup, and even then it stops after your car warms up.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 11:08 PM
  #11  
Wesmanw02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 4
Default

I don't know why people feel the need to spread around bullshit like that.

Use as high a gear as you want for your speed, so long as the engine isn't struggling/bogging. That defeats the purpose
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 12:18 AM
  #12  
Red_Dragon's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Oswego, IL (~40 miles west of Chicago)
Default

Just throwing this out there but i really doubt gm got the 27mpg rating driving at 2k or above in 6th.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 08:48 AM
  #13  
SladeX's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 2
Default

considering the engine management system of these engines, I can't possibly see how the hell in the world would you get any more carbon build up at low rpm than at high rpm. In closed loop at any given moment, the pcm is going for stoich ratio for air/fuel.

Due to the nature of the gears, if you want to accelerate in sixth, go right ahead. It's your time your wasting trying to accelerate from a low rpm. Also since an engine PULLS air in, flooring it in sixth gear will make no difference to the engine as going 1/8 throttle in a lower gear. It still can only flow x amount of air through the system only difference is one is restricted by mechanical load, and the other by air restriction.

It is by the grace of god you can accelerate at all in 6th. Most other cars would not budge an extra inch in that gear when so far out of its power band.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 03:00 PM
  #14  
Wesmanw02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by SladeX
considering the engine management system of these engines, I can't possibly see how the hell in the world would you get any more carbon build up at low rpm than at high rpm. In closed loop at any given moment, the pcm is going for stoich ratio for air/fuel.

Due to the nature of the gears, if you want to accelerate in sixth, go right ahead. It's your time your wasting trying to accelerate from a low rpm. Also since an engine PULLS air in, flooring it in sixth gear will make no difference to the engine as going 1/8 throttle in a lower gear. It still can only flow x amount of air through the system only difference is one is restricted by mechanical load, and the other by air restriction.

It is by the grace of god you can accelerate at all in 6th. Most other cars would not budge an extra inch in that gear when so far out of its power band.
Good post, I agree completely. If the engine is only pulling in a certain volume of air at any given RPM, it will only be using a set amount of fuel, since the ECU wants to keep the A/F ratio right. This isn't so true with a Carb, since flooring it will dump in tons of fuel and most lilely flood the engine

Also gotta love the low end torque of a V8, most 4 bangers gotta turn 4,000 RPM in O/D just to maintain 65MPH on the highway
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 08:13 PM
  #15  
SUTTERERMAN85's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (42)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 2
From: North Fort Worth
Default

i heard somebody say that you should never use 5th or 6th...ever






j/k i had to
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 09:42 PM
  #16  
Wesmanw02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by SUTTERERMAN85
i heard somebody say that you should never use 5th or 6th...ever






j/k i had to

LOL it seems that way with some of the **** people say on here
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 10:49 PM
  #17  
wrencher's Avatar
wrencher
20 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Default

If you really drive the car, carbon build up will be nill.......
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2006 | 11:13 PM
  #18  
P Mack's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix
Default

Originally Posted by Wesmanw02
If the engine is only pulling in a certain volume of air at any given RPM, it will only be using a set amount of fuel, since the ECU wants to keep the A/F ratio right. This isn't so true with a Carb, since flooring it will dump in tons of fuel and most lilely flood the engine
That's not completely true. Once you pass 64% throttle it goes into power enrichment. Just nitpicking your post though, i'm not saying you shouldn't use 6th to accelerate. I use 6th all the time.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2006 | 12:27 AM
  #19  
B.W.'s Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: GB, MD
Default

Originally Posted by SUTTERERMAN85
i heard somebody say that you should never use 5th or 6th...ever






j/k i had to
lmao

I'm in 6th most of the time in my car. I do a lot of highway driving though.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 09:48 PM
  #20  
z-ya's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: minneapolis,mn
Default

Sixth gear came in real handy when I was running 456 gears.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:14 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE