What's your favorite gear in your ZHP? Why?

[quikryptonite]

Mine is 2nd. I love going from 15 to almost 50 mph in the same gear.

[gr330zhp]

3rd gear here. I love a back twisty road and holding third at 4k+ rpm! Oh the feeling! Life starts at 4k rpm!

[ryankokesh]

I like reverse. Only way I don't chip up my bumper/hood. :shifty

[UdubBadger]

:rofl

[UdubBadger]

I'm a big fan of 2nd but 3rd is very close for highway entrance ramp fun ;)

[Meric]

3rd I love it when you touch the gas pedal it throws you to the seat.

[Oli77]

Second over here just cause I'm mostly in the city. If had twisties though...3rd probably.

[BRGcoopahS]

I dont have a ZHP, (yet) but between my current car (mini) and my last car (944) 3rd gear has alway been my favorite gear. Ialways thought 3rd gear has the best combination of power and speed. I love winding out 3rd gear. Its always a nice pull in my mini because the powerband steadily increases until redline (supercharger) and its got enough torque to feel it as well.

[M0nk3y]

I was a fan of 2nd in my E46, I couldn't get any power in 3rd+

I love 2nd gear and 3rd in my current car. Although I really like any gear, there is always power ;)

[nike001]

3rd here.

[imola red zhp]

3rd gear good for passing...

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[Johnmadd]

For fun I like second gear because its easiest to redline and chirp into the next gear. For purpose I like sixth gear because of mpg'$.

[danewilson77]

3rd

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[gr330zhp]

For fun I like second gear because its easiest to redline and chirp into the next gear. For purpose I like sixth gear because of mpg'$.

Also very true! I could never own a car without a 6th gear again

[brettbimmer]

Top Gear! :p

Actually a big fan of 3rd too!

[SoarinZHP]

Top Gear?!?! AWESOME!

[az3579]

First. It's the gear where you feel the car has the most pulling power. Unbelievably fun when you're at a light, you know the guy in the right lane is going to cut you off because his is a turn only lane and he intends on going straight. Light turns green, and off you go, slammed into your seat in first, despite only have *maybe* 200hp to the wheels. Still feels friggin' fast when you're in first.

[nike001]

For fun I like second gear because its easiest to redline and chirp into the next gear. For purpose I like sixth gear because of mpg'$.

You chirp in to 3rd? Weird. I rarely get any peeps from 1-2 shifts. 3rd gear is the best because IMO it pulls the best and it's you don't have to be going too slow like 2nd. 6th gear is awesome because you can feel the torque.

But when people ask me if my car is quick, I slow it to a roll in 1st @ 3K RPM and punch it. That usually answers their question. Plus that, and watching them go forward in their seat when clutch is in and then right back when I get in to 2nd is hilarious. My mom freaks out and I love it :rofl

[UdubBadger]

You chirp in to 3rd? Weird. I rarely get any peeps from 1-2 shifts. 3rd gear is the best because IMO it pulls the best and it's you don't have to be going too slow like 2nd. 6th gear is awesome because you can feel the torque.

its cuz you need a tune that has the torque limiter removed. ;)

[nike001]

its cuz you need a tune that has the torque limiter removed. ;)

What does that do?

[UdubBadger]

the torque limiter? well when you remove it, you'll churp the tires in at least 2nd gear, possibly 3rd.

[Johnmadd]

No tune needed, haha. Seriously, I am stock as far as my po records state and I can chirp it going in 3rd, a decade of driving big trucks with stick make a car seem easy, and a brand new flywheel and clutch is pretty good too.

[Newjack]

the torque limiter? well when you remove it, you'll churp the tires in at least 2nd gear, possibly 3rd.

Deleting the CDV makes this easier too no?

[Hermes]

I gots the twisties near me, therefore 3rd

[ryankokesh]

I need skillz... :facepalm


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[M0nk3y]

I've never chirped in 3rd.

Been able to chirp in 2nd with CDV, wondering if I can get 3rd to chirp with CDV removed.

I like 1st gear as well, especially when you suddenly add 150 HP to your previous car, go from AWD to RWD, and still think you should do a launch at the same RPM as before. Video for proof:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgUlKXAVgwU&feature=player_embedded

[UdubBadger]

Deleting the CDV makes this easier too no?

VERY much so.

[UdubBadger]

I need skillz... :facepalm


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we can go practice up and down golf rd :rofl

[bimmeryota]

2nd...especially when you nail the perfect heel toe downshift heading in to a corner and power out of it!

[danewilson77]

Fwiw, John is chirping in 2nd, going into 3rd.

Hell, idk... Maybe not. Too early to think.

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[az3579]

Shouldn't be chirping at all, guys. Get them rev matches right! :biggrin


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[ryankokesh]

we can go practice up and down golf rd :rofl

Hahaha... I'm sure the Portillos police man would appreciate that!


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[llll1l1ll]

3rd-a-roony here. I almost chose 2nd, though.

[Johnmadd]

Fwiw, John is chirping in 2nd, going into 3rd.

Hell, idk... Maybe not. Too early to think.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

This.

[static667]

Second for the tight twisties. Next would be third for the short stretches and fast corners.



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[nike001]

Weird. I still have yet to figure out if I have the CDV Delete. I'm too lazy to go under it and find it. I'll ask the tech tomorrow when he does my brake fluid. All i know is I can barely get peeps out of 2nd gear. I just always blamed it on sticky 255's on a car with 200whp.


2nd...especially when you nail the perfect heel toe downshift heading in to a corner and power out of it!

I seriously cannot heel toe. Either my feet are too big, or the pedals are too close together. Something.. I don't know. I've tried it and I usually end up hitting the brake harder while trying to reach the gas.

[M0nk3y]

Weird. I still have yet to figure out if I have the CDV Delete. I'm too lazy to go under it and find it. I'll ask the tech tomorrow when he does my brake fluid. All i know is I can barely get peeps out of 2nd gear. I just always blamed it on sticky 255's on a car with 200whp.



I seriously cannot heel toe. Either my feet are too big, or the pedals are too close together. Something.. I don't know. I've tried it and I usually end up hitting the brake harder while trying to reach the gas.

Gotta do the big foot technique:

Take half your foot and put it on the brake, then use the other half of the foot and ROLL it over to the gas...

Instead of using your whole toe and heel, you use the balls of your foot.

[llll1l1ll]

Gotta do the big foot technique:

Take half your foot and put it on the brake, then use the other half of the foot and ROLL it over to the gas...

Instead of using your whole toe and heel, you use the balls of your foot.

That's what I do!

[nike001]

Gotta do the big foot technique:

Take half your foot and put it on the brake, then use the other half of the foot and ROLL it over to the gas...

Instead of using your whole toe and heel, you use the balls of your foot.

So half like left/right half? Or half like top/bottom half? It seems like in your first statement you said left/right half and end up hitting the gas with the side of your shoe. Correct?

I can't use the ball of my foot to press the gas while my toes are on the brake. I just end up accidentally hitting the brake hard trying to reach for the gas. I'm not sure where to put my foot on the brake, and where to hit the accelerator with what part. All so confusing.

[M0nk3y]

So half like left/right half? Or half like top/bottom half? It seems like in your first statement you said left/right half and end up hitting the gas with the side of your shoe. Correct?

I can't use the ball of my foot to press the gas while my toes are on the brake. I just end up accidentally hitting the brake hard trying to reach for the gas. I'm not sure where to put my foot on the brake, and where to hit the accelerator with what part. All so confusing.

Half Left side on the Brake...half right side on the gas. It doesn't matter how hard you hit the gas, just smash the crap out of it...lol. You just need to blip the throttle.

Keep your control on the brake, and just nail the gas.

It takes alot of work. Practice.

[Crickett]

Second here, followed closely by third (literally :rofl). I love kicking the tail out ever so slightly around 90° corners, & keeping the revs right in the 3500 – 4000 Performance intake butter zone; she sounds soooo amazing in that range!


2nd...especially when you nail the perfect heel toe downshift heading in to a corner and power out of it!
+1 :thumbup


Gotta do the big foot technique:

Take half your foot and put it on the brake, then use the other half of the foot and ROLL it over to the gas...

Instead of using your whole toe and heel, you use the balls of your foot.


So half like left/right half? Or half like top/bottom half? It seems like in your first statement you said left/right half and end up hitting the gas with the side of your shoe. Correct?

I can't use the ball of my foot to press the gas while my toes are on the brake. I just end up accidentally hitting the brake hard trying to reach for the gas. I'm not sure where to put my foot on the brake, and where to hit the accelerator with what part. All so confusing.
Yup, gotta use the left & right halves of your foot for "heel-toe"ing in the E46. I have the majority of my foot on the brake, & only the outside toe or two on the gas during downshifts.

[nike001]

Alright guys, I'll try practicing it :rofl

[Hochspannung]

I find it easier to use the ball of my foot on the brake, angle my foot in pigeon toed style then blip the gas with my heel

[nike001]

^I've thought about that as well. I guess it depends on what you're comfortable doing. I just haven't tried doing it lately.. I stick to brake, rev-match, brake.. lol

[az3579]

Gotta do the big foot technique:

Take half your foot and put it on the brake, then use the other half of the foot and ROLL it over to the gas...

Instead of using your whole toe and heel, you use the balls of your foot.

This is what I did, right up until I got my E46.
Transitioning from my E30 to E46, I found the pedal stiffness to be a problem. In the E30, I could be almost locking up the brakes and barely be touching the brake pedal (it was FIRM). In the E46, I had to go much farther down to get to the same point. As a result, when I tried to heel and toe like that, I found myself not pushing the brake quite as much as I would have liked, otherwise I would have been pressing the throttle at the same time. Big feet tend to do that to ya.

That is why I only heel and toe like that on the street where I'm barely pushing the brake pedal (I take my time braking, no last second braking here). This can still bite you in the azz if you need to do a hard braking because then either 1) you'll find yourself smashing into the back of a car from trying not to press too much on the brake so you don't hit the throttle, or 2) get into a ton of foot pain from the weird contortions you'll have to do to press the brake down HARD with only the left half of your foot without pressing the throttle.

One trick I learned at the track from an instructor was that I was heel-and-toeing incorrectly. He said that your foot should be on the brake without your heel touching the floor. This way you can better modulate the brake while having better swinging capability to blip the throttle. It does work; I've tried it, but it requires a LOT of getting used to. You obviously use a lot more energy in your thighs from keeping your foot from touching the floor, but I found that once you get used to it, you can modulate the brake properly while swinging your foot. It just takes a lot of getting used to. A lot.


That is why one must go back to: do whatever works best for you. Instructor method works for me but makes me feel uncomfortable, so I alternate between the two depending on the situation.

[Crickett]

[ . . . ] That is why one must go back to: do whatever works best for you. Instructor method works for me but makes me feel uncomfortable, so I alternate between the two depending on the situation.

Ok, now I'm gonna have to try this out. I haven't tracked the ZHP yet, so I've yet to need non-street braking. But I'm still going to try this method. :biggrin

[danewilson77]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4MS5pNGbOU&feature=related



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuoZeuSgEj4&feature=related

[az3579]

Thanks DW.



Maybe, just maybe, I might make a video too, just for fun. You know, for us drive-by-wire sufferers. :biggrin

[nike001]

Thanks DW.



Maybe, just maybe, I might make a video too, just for fun. You know, for us drive-by-wire sufferers. :biggrin

That'd be nice!

[M0nk3y]

Thanks DW.



Maybe, just maybe, I might make a video too, just for fun. You know, for us drive-by-wire sufferers. :biggrin

Lol, brings up a funny story, slightly OT.

A friend of mine buys a brand new Subaru, and is showing me and a couple others his engine. He makes a quote "Hey I really love this drive-by-wire throttle." Everyone else is confused and is trying to look for it, people are pulling out flashlights from their car...etc.

He just turns around and gives me the biggest grin. What a loser ;)

[Hornung418]

LMAO...

I love my cable driven throttle body.

And 2-3 is my favorite shift. I love hitting 100 in 3rd :)

[gr330zhp]

Cable throttle body FTW! Such a lag with drive by wire

[das boots]

6th. This is my DD and a great cruiser. I love the twisties. But I won't be using the ZHP for the twisties. I have a special for those occasions....and she's a screamer.

[Newjack]

How much of a difference does a sprint booster make?

[Johnmadd]

6th. This is my DD and a great cruiser. I love the twisties. But I won't be using the ZHP for the twisties. I have a special for those occasions....and she's a screamer.

The crown jewel.

[das boots]

That's the One....

[az3579]

How much of a difference does a sprint booster make?

Minor.


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[danewilson77]

Minor.


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You have one? Nice!

[jreyes19]

I am an avid supporter of 2nd and 3rd gear, also is it odd if
My car hits 60 mph in 2nd gear just before red lining. Every one always says it should only be able to hit just below 50

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[danewilson77]

I am an avid supporter of 2nd and 3rd gear, also is it odd if
My car hits 60 mph in 2nd gear just before red lining. Every one always says it should only be able to hit just below 50

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Mmmm...will check. I know 80 in 3rd gear is 6000 rpm in mine. The only data point I have.

[Crickett]

I am an avid supporter of 2nd and 3rd gear, also is it odd if
My car hits 60 mph in 2nd gear just before red lining. Every one always says it should only be able to hit just below 50

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Bokchoys' gear ratio calculator (http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/e46_gear_ratio_calculator.htm) says you should be able to get 60 in second.

[S85FTW]

:scratchinghead I can get over 60 in second gear

[Crickett]

:scratchinghead I can get over 60 in second gear

You have the ZHP 6-speed gearbox, no? Different ratios, different top speeds.

[S85FTW]

Yes I do. I am 99% sure I hit 65 in second.

[Crickett]

Yes I do. I am 99% sure I hit 65 in second.

Calculated as 68.61 mph, ~65 sounds just right.

[danewilson77]

I just did it on the way home. 65 mph @ 6500 rpm.......ish.

[ryankokesh]

Haha....guess in theory you only need second gear!


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[Hornung418]

Nothing like cruising at 7000rpms...LOL

[RVAzhp]

you guys should get some stickier tires if you're "Chirping" 3rd gear. i've never known a 200hp car to chirp third...

"Chirping" second has greatly decreased since getting new tires last year.

Edit: i voted 3rd. great for those country roads :-)

[az3579]

That 65mph is more like low 60's. Indicated speed is more than actual speed.
Having the Shark Injector makes a difference as well; you get 200 extra RPM with it.

[nike001]

you guys should get some stickier tires if you're "Chirping" 3rd gear. i've never known a 200hp car to chirp third...

"Chirping" second has greatly decreased since getting new tires last year.

Edit: i voted 3rd. great for those country roads :-)

That's what I was thinking.

For god's sake.. I couldn't get my old Pirelli's to even peep going in to 2nd gear. I freaking loveeeed those tires. My Hankooks now are a little bit easier, but need to be warmed up be as sticky as my Pirelli's seemingly were when cold.

[Hornung418]

That 65mph is more like low 60's. Indicated speed is more than actual speed.
Having the Shark Injector makes a difference as well; you get 200 extra RPM with it.
My GPS has confirmed that my Speedometer is pretty accurate and not extremely optimistic as others have claimed. Plus, bokchoy's has confirmed the theoretical speed in each gear.

[Hermes]

My speedo usually is overestimating by 2-3 MPH

[M0nk3y]

My speedo usually is overestimating by 2-3 MPH

+1

Usually depends on tire wear. As you get to the end of your tire life the span increases, and vice versus.

[Hermes]

Bokchoys' gear ratio calculator (http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/e46_gear_ratio_calculator.htm) says you should be able to get 60 in second.

According to this my step should be able to hit 69 in second @ 6800 rpm (and 188 in fifth)... not sure about this calculator

[danewilson77]

According to this my step should be able to hit 69 in second @ 6800 rpm (and 188 in fifth)... not sure about this calculator

Sounds right. My actual was 65 mph @ 6500 rpm, in second.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Hornung418]

According to this my step should be able to hit 69 in second @ 6800 rpm (and 188 in fifth)... not sure about this calculator
Keep in mind these are theoretical. All determined by calculations and nothing more. No Shift point measurements, limiter engagements or the like.

I hit 100 in 3rd and capped out at 124 in 4th...need the speed limiter removed ;)

[Hermes]

^ agreed, I know it's all theoretical... I guess I'll have to test it out one day and see what I can do in second

[M0nk3y]

Keep in mind these are theoretical. All determined by calculations and nothing more. No Shift point measurements, limiter engagements or the like.

I hit 100 in 3rd and capped out at 124 in 4th...need the speed limiter removed ;)

If you had a 6spd, you can redline in 5th, then go into 6th and you'll have no limiter.

Alittle trick we can do on our cars. Too bad I'll never do it unless I'm on the track and if I'm reaching speeds of 155 on straights then something is wrong with that straight because it's really long, lol.

[nike001]

If you had a 6spd, you can redline in 5th, then go into 6th and you'll have no limiter.

Alittle trick we can do on our cars. Too bad I'll never do it unless I'm on the track and if I'm reaching speeds of 155 on straights then something is wrong with that straight because it's really long, lol.

What? Isn't that the point anyways in a top speed run? To redline and catch the next gear? So what youre saying is that if I shift out of 5th early (ie. 5500rpm) and then go to 6th then I'll have a limiter? But then if I go full 6800rpm in to 6th then I can go free? That's odd

And this one time in Mexico I was
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 155 and the straight wasn't that long. Going 120 is relatively easy to get in these cars I'd say..


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[M0nk3y]

What? Isn't that the point anyways in a top speed run? To redline and catch the next gear? So what youre saying is that if I shift out of 5th early (ie. 5500rpm) and then go to 6th then I'll have a limiter? But then if I go full 6800rpm in to 6th then I can go free? That's odd

And this one time in Mexico I was
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 155 and the straight wasn't that long. Going 120 is relatively easy to get in these cars I'd say..


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Ideally, in 5th gear...you get above 155. So when you shift into 6th, you get past the limiter already...and you don't deal with it.

I don't know if this will work with the Non-M E46s. On a day in Mexico...getting on the on-ramp triple digits was really easy. Just saying not many tracks allow lengths to get past or close to 150+

[WOLFN8TR]

"D" :rockon

[jreyes19]

I have a 325i
so i wasn't sure but i hit 60 mph at 6500 rpms
but then my car just loses power just after that where the white lines get condensed
(this is a rev limiter to protect the car from redlining correct?)

I hear the shark injector takes out the rev imiter and would let me hit 7000 rpms which would push me to 65 in second gear

[az3579]

"D" :rockon

"D" isn't a gear in your car. :biggrin

[WOLFN8TR]

Your right "D" is all my gears. :rockon

[Stu]

6th, cause I <3 the gas mileage on the highway :)

.......but I love 1st gear too for obvious reasons ;)

[ryankokesh]

:headbang


ah crap... that's the wrong one.

[Oli77]

Holly thread resurrection Batman! Almost 5 years later.

I remembered this thread recently when while driving, I came to realize that it wasn't a specific gear I liked, but rather a specific RPM.
My 325 is awesome starting at 3K RPM (in any gear really).

[ETAction]

I like reverse. Only way I don't chip up my bumper/hood. :shifty

hahaha

Brilliant answer!

[NoVAphotog]

The 3.46 changes things but 2nd for me. I've had the most fun in 2nd with autox, winter donuts and all. 3rd would be a close.............2nd.

[slater]

The 3.46 changes things but 2nd for me. I've had the most fun in 2nd with autox, winter donuts and all. 3rd would be a close.............2nd.

+1... ha.

[ELCID86]

2nd and 3rd. #3.38FTW