wwb (01/03/83)
In response to the request for info about a 5-speed for a turbocharged chevy: ( I tried to send this as mail, but it didn't get through) Chris, Re your request for a five speed, I'm sure you've thought it out already, but why not use an automatic. Because turbo speed is all important to power generation, the slip you get from a torque converter keeps the engine producing more power. Several comparisons have been done using 5-speed vs. automatic Saab turbos and 5-speed vs. automatic 280ZXs. In each case, the automatic was much faster. For the Z-car, more than a second faster in the quarter mile. In addition, HP 3-speed automatics for you chevy are well understood. The B&M parts available will allow you to build just what you need to transmit that horsepower. Having said this, I understand why you still might prefer the 5-speed. If the decission were mine, I would have trouble weighing the benifits of the automatic vs. the desire to be in complete control with a manual. I guess it becomes a somewhat emotional issue. (We don't drive cars like the one you are building just to get to the grocery store quicker.) Walt Barnes ...!ihuxn!wwb ps: The Porsche 930 turbo uses a 4-speed even though they have a 5-speed for the 911 that is a perfect fit and can accept the power. After extensive testing, Porsche found no advantage to the 5-speed, the engine has so much torque that the additional gear is not needed. They also found each shift was so costly becuase of the turbo speed drop that the 4-speed was quicker.