Optimum highway speeds 5th/6th gear - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Neozyne · 03-02-2011, 10:26 PM

Anyone know the math to what the optimum gas speed is in a SS 6mt in 5th or 6th gear is?

In MI the speed limit is 80mph (lol) but 5th and 6th gears between 70 and 80 dont seem to sit will almost feels like I should be in 4th on the high way or maybe I missed that in the manual hah.

Any ideas?

shawn18 · 03-02-2011, 10:34 PM

If you are worried about gas prices maybe the ss isn't the right car for you

Neozyne · 03-02-2011, 10:48 PM

lol I just said that on another thread, i must be getting mocked. hah. but its more of a curiosity point because most cars are tuned for about 50-55 for optimal gas mileage in 5th but I notice a power lag between 70-80 jumping between gears & being in 6th at 1.8k-2k vs the 70-80 in 5th doing 2-2.2 or 4th near 3k..

Im sure a CAI and Header back exhaust would help tremendously because im sure it has a lot to do with the engine breathing it just seems to have some drag in that area imo.. but im not in any hurry to crack my warranty yet.

Either way gas prices arent any issue I smile next to my car at the pump every week with my 60$ fillup fee

Huck1974 · 03-02-2011, 10:54 PM

With my cam, my car has a hard time in 6th below 65mph.

mikeSS · 03-02-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck1974

With my cam, my car has a hard time in 6th below 65mph.

didnt know we were talking about camed camaros ?

KJinni · 03-03-2011, 01:23 AM

If you're going 80mph keep it in sixth.

JJ#48Racing · 03-03-2011, 01:30 AM

You can use 6th as low as 50mph easily. This is assuming your just cruising of course. You're obviously not gonna have a lot of power available in that configuation. But when you're ready to get on it, downshift 1 or 4 gears! Seriously, unless you're experiencing knocking or bucking, you're fine.

TJ91 · 03-03-2011, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neozyne

lol I just said that on another thread, i must be getting mocked. hah. but its more of a curiosity point because most cars are tuned for about 50-55 for optimal gas mileage in 5th but I notice a power lag between 70-80 jumping between gears & being in 6th at 1.8k-2k vs the 70-80 in 5th doing 2-2.2 or 4th near 3k..

Im sure a CAI and Header back exhaust would help tremendously because im sure it has a lot to do with the engine breathing it just seems to have some drag in that area imo.. but im not in any hurry to crack my warranty yet.

Either way gas prices arent any issue I smile next to my car at the pump every week with my 60$ fillup fee

$60 fill up? Are you kidding me?!
70L of regular 87 for a fill up on my v6 costs me $86

snokid · 03-03-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neozyne

Anyone know the math to what the optimum gas speed is in a SS 6mt in 5th or 6th gear is?

In MI the speed limit is 80mph (lol) but 5th and 6th gears between 70 and 80 dont seem to sit will almost feels like I should be in 4th on the high way or maybe I missed that in the manual hah.

Any ideas?

um the speed limit in michigan is 70 not 80....nevermind you are from detroit!!! those limits are just suggestions!!!

people not from here wouldn't understand.... morning rush hour cruising along at 90+ and still getting passed!!!!

Bob

Neozyne · 03-03-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snokid

um the speed limit in michigan is 70 not 80....nevermind you are from detroit!!! those limits are just suggestions!!!

people not from here wouldn't understand.... morning rush hour cruising along at 90+ and still getting passed!!!!

Bob

right!

Cam#7 · 03-04-2011, 11:54 AM

What grade of gas are you using? The SS manual in 6th gear is like a double overdrive with a .57 ratio. 4th gear is like a normal drive at 1.00

Neozyne · 03-04-2011, 03:03 PM

usually 91-93 which ever is at the pump

Cam#7 · 03-04-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neozyne

usually 91-93 which ever is at the pump

Well look at this way then. Before we worried about gas mileage or having overdrive transmissions; a 3.73 or 3.31 rear axle was pretty common. In todays world using a .57 6th gear gives you an effective ratio of 2.42 or 1.88 with those rear ends. Stands to reason why you feel your car (3.45 rear end) is lugging. This is how they can advertise the SS at 25 mpg.

If gas mileage isn't a concern; then run it in 4th or 5th gear. I don't think your going to wear the engine out by running it at less than 3,xxx rpm on the highway.

03-02-2011, 10:26 PM	#1
Neozyne Drives: Cyber Gray SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 132	Optimum highway speeds 5th/6th gear Anyone know the math to what the optimum gas speed is in a SS 6mt in 5th or 6th gear is? In MI the speed limit is 80mph (lol) but 5th and 6th gears between 70 and 80 dont seem to sit will almost feels like I should be in 4th on the high way or maybe I missed that in the manual hah. Any ideas?

03-02-2011, 10:34 PM	#2
shawn18 OWTATIME Drives: 1969 CaRaMo Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,080	If you are worried about gas prices maybe the ss isn't the right car for you __________________

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03-02-2011, 10:48 PM	#3
Neozyne Drives: Cyber Gray SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 132	lol I just said that on another thread, i must be getting mocked. hah. but its more of a curiosity point because most cars are tuned for about 50-55 for optimal gas mileage in 5th but I notice a power lag between 70-80 jumping between gears & being in 6th at 1.8k-2k vs the 70-80 in 5th doing 2-2.2 or 4th near 3k.. Im sure a CAI and Header back exhaust would help tremendously because im sure it has a lot to do with the engine breathing it just seems to have some drag in that area imo.. but im not in any hurry to crack my warranty yet. Either way gas prices arent any issue I smile next to my car at the pump every week with my 60$ fillup fee

03-02-2011, 10:54 PM	#4
Huck1974 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 833	With my cam, my car has a hard time in 6th below 65mph.

03-03-2011, 01:23 AM	#6
KJinni Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Netherlands Posts: 262	If you're going 80mph keep it in sixth.

03-03-2011, 01:30 AM	#7
JJ#48Racing Drives: 1998 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 1,115	You can use 6th as low as 50mph easily. This is assuming your just cruising of course. You're obviously not gonna have a lot of power available in that configuation. But when you're ready to get on it, downshift 1 or 4 gears! Seriously, unless you're experiencing knocking or bucking, you're fine.

03-04-2011, 11:54 AM	#11
Cam#7 Drives: 2011 2LT IBM / SIM stripe 6M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: STL Posts: 863	What grade of gas are you using? The SS manual in 6th gear is like a double overdrive with a .57 ratio. 4th gear is like a normal drive at 1.00

03-04-2011, 03:03 PM	#12
Neozyne Drives: Cyber Gray SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 132	usually 91-93 which ever is at the pump