My GT seems kinda' high strung.

[White2.5GTLimited]

Since I got her registered & insured yesterday, I thought I'd drive her around to be to get to know her better.
The issue: When I had my old L auto, it didn't mind 65mph @ 2500rpm. My GT does 65mph @ 2900rpm. I figured that if I replaced the fluids, the speed relation to rpm would lower but it didn't. The fluids (transmission & both diffs) have been replaced & the speed at high rpm is still the same. At 3000rpms, my engine really knocks from the bad rod bearing & I'd like to keep it below that. Is this low speed at high rpm because of the kind of gearing this car has? All wheel bearings are good btw.

[Huffer]

What size tires do you have on the car?

[harrymaneuvers]

If my understanding is correct... the speed that your engine spins when in a certain gear is a static thing. There shouldnt be a circumstance where it is more or less because assuming that the clutch isnt slipping... your engine is pretty much forced to run at a certain RPM when going a certain speed. They are figuritivly connected at that point and the speed of the engine is going to be dependant upon which gear your tranny is in.


The size of the gear will determine how many revolutions of the engine it will take to move you a certain distance (at level cruising speed)...


Think of starting the car by popping the clutch. With the car in 1st (or 2nd) and the car rolling... as soon as you let go of the clutch... the engine will be connected to the driveline and be forced to run at whatever RPM is equal to the speed you are traveling.


That was the best way I could explain it... anybody else want to jump in here?


Huffer makes a good point about tires... but assuming that two cars are completely stock... a 99 2.5gt with 1500 miles on it should run the same speed at the same RPM as a one with 200k miles on it.


Anyone feel free to jump in here and expand on the concept or correct me if I am wrong.

[White2.5GTLimited]

What size tires do you have on the car?
P205/55 - R16 all around on 'snowflake' rims.

[ouch1011]

Manual or auto trans?

And what harrymanuvers said is 100% correct. The gear ratios don't change regardless of fluid condition or age. There are things that can affect the engine speed in gear, but they are all destructive (basically clutch slippage or on an auto, torque converter problems)

From what you are describing though, that sounds about right from what I remember from my GT being a 4EAT. Thats part of the reason why I opted to swap to a 2.2 trans when I swapped to 5MT. Plus it was easier to find, easier to setup (cable clutch vs hydraulic). And now I get 30mpg on the highway :)

[NGTD]

GT's (and Outback's) are geared lower than L's (at least with MT's they are).

[Huffer]

Since I got her registered & insured yesterday, I thought I'd drive her around to be to get to know her better.
The issue: When I had my old L auto, it didn't mind 65mph @ 2500rpm. My GT does 65mph @ 2900rpm. I figured that if I replaced the fluids, the speed relation to rpm would lower but it didn't. The fluids (transmission & both diffs) have been replaced & the speed at high rpm is still the same. At 3000rpms, my engine really knocks from the bad rod bearing & I'd like to keep it below that. Is this low speed at high rpm because of the kind of gearing this car has? All wheel bearings are good btw.

The GT auto has a 4.44 gearing. The L models also run 15" wheels.

But that rod knock should be your primary concern.

[White2.5GTLimited]

Manual or auto trans?

And what harrymanuvers said is 100% correct. The gear ratios don't change regardless of fluid condition or age. There are things that can affect the engine speed in gear, but they are all destructive (basically clutch slippage or on an auto, torque converter problems)

From what you are describing though, that sounds about right from what I remember from my GT being a 4EAT. Thats part of the reason why I opted to swap to a 2.2 trans when I swapped to 5MT. Plus it was easier to find, easier to setup (cable clutch vs hydraulic). And now I get 30mpg on the highway :)

It's an auto. I mean, I get good gas mileage too but only when I'm at about 2500rpms or lower but I'm also usually doing a little below the upper speed limits as well. There is also a pretty good 1-2 shift 'kick' but I remember my first L 4EAT doing that too so I don't really have too many concerns with that. As for the 5spd, I'll get it one day. I miss my 5spd L a lot & can't wait to put one in this car. It looks & feels like it NEEDS a 5spd.


The GT auto has a 4.44 gearing. The L models also run 15" wheels. But that rod knock should be your primary concern.

It is but that's why I don't drive her unless I really need to since I have to use it for work & such. The knock hasn't gotten any louder but I'm dreading the day it does. And about the 4.44 gearing, you're saying that this drivetrain is set for acceleration purposes & not cruising speed? Tch. I remember my L 5spd having '3.900' etched into the rear differential when I replaced the fluid. That car got me excellent gas mileage.

[ouch1011]

The 2.5 is a completely different animal with a 5spd :cool:

The 1-2 shift shock is pretty common on the older 4eats. Mine did it too. Also shifted really slow on the 2-3 shift. I've heard lots of ideas on why they do this, but every 1st and 2nd gen legacy I've driven with a 4eat did the same. None of the 3rd gens or similar vintage foresters or imprezas seem to.

[Baddog]

Yep mine does it. But oddly if I put it more to the floor it doesn't shift hard. I think personally a clogged valve body.