How many gears is too many?

[JB]

I actually spoke to a ZF rep at the NAIAS about this transmission. He said they are working on a transmission with less parasitic loss than a CVT, however still have similar characteristics of keeping the engine in its proper powerband. He also said that the CVT's have problems with reliability toward the later years of its life, since they rely on belts and pulleys to transfer power, so this 9sp will last a lot longer. The inside of this thing is unbelievable, but don't expect it to be in anything powerful because the gears are TINY. This one is built for small fwd applications...

[C4Will]

I think 6 is about the limit (for most cars). I've got a vette and honestly, as in most trannys, your not gonna race someone in 5th or 6th. At least in my vette the 5th and 6th are both overdrive and are just for gas mileage. Unless the car can go insanely fast at top speed, more gears just isn't necessary.

[mdenz3]

(01-13-2011 12:44 PM)98nismo Wrote:  ^ Nissan DOES, sr20det trannies come in 5 and 6 speed, the bellhousing and boxes are identical. I dont have a Honda nor a Corvette and could care less about anything other than what I drive bro. I have a Nissan and simply stated how I feel, and for my purposes it makes perfect sense.

I for one would love a 6th gear in my Camaro.

[Mr.Rauq]

6 speed here. 365 ft-lbs factory rating, 4th gear is 1:1, 5th is OD, as is the 0.56:1 6th gear. 2000 rpms in 6th is 79 mph. And still, on occasion, I find myself wanting an extra gear, but as a low gear. That 6th gear is why I can get 25 mpg on the interstate, but a 2:97:1 1st gear is just so tall...

[humjaba]

5 in my mustang... I wish I had 6, so my gears were closer together, and 6th maybe a bit taller than my 5th. But any more than that would be too many.

For an automatic though, the more the merrier as long as they can keep shifts smooth and smart.