Does about 3k RPM at 60MPH sound right in 5th gear? I've heard about the 'taller' 5th gear, just curious if that sounds right.

Thanks!

 

No...

70mph ~ 3k rpm
60mph ~ 2500 rpm

At least this is what the 3 SE's I've owned ran at.

jeryj

 

Uh oh..Mine definitely is 3K at 60.

Not a huge deal, could it be because it's an 84?

 

Your tach probably needs calibrating. I'm not sure how it's done but some folks are able to do it when they convert to a V8. I forgot where I saw the directions for that though. You can pick up a used IC on Ebay almost daily. Never hurts to have an extra one around.

jeryj

 

my 84 runs almost identicle to that...

70mpg is pegged right at 35k

on my 85 -SE 70 mph was right about 3000rpm.

that just means that you have the sorter 5th gear that it's supposed to have in 84

 

Ok, that was my suspicion, no biggie.

Thanks all!

 

My early 85 GSL-SE is about 3K at 60-65 mph....

 

mine is at 3k rpm @70mph and is an early 84 (made in december 83)

 

I don't think it's an exact model year switch... I know they switched to a taller 5th gear sometime in late84 production, but I don't know if it was at the same time as the model year change.

mine 3/84 1984 model, short 5th gear
12/84 build 85 model, tall 5th gear...

Eddie it sounds like someone did soem switching on yours, or they made a few at the beginning of the 84 with the taller one.. I dunno...

 

Actually my 85 was build in september of 84, I checked the door and says 9/84, I know its an 85 model because it has 85 characteristics such as the intake that goes all the way across to the battery area and the car was registered an 85 model by the original owner.

Is your GSL-SE stock (original 18 year old equipment)? It could be slipping....

 

5th gear ratios:

'85 SE .711
'84 SE .758

'84-85 12a .807
<'83 12a .825

3000 @ 60 is what my '82 turns.
Maybe somebody replaced your SE tranny with a 12a tranny.

 

Non-stock wheels and tires can also affect the "effective" final drive ratio.

Mike - The diameter/rolling radius of your 225/50-15's are pretty close to the stock 205/60-14's, so I don't think that would explain the magnitude of difference you're seeing.

Bill

 

Probably just the earlier 84 tranny, then.
No big deal at all.