Driving Patterns

[BECAUZ]

So I'm fairly new to the V8 scene and don't know to much about them other then they drink heaps of fuel (In a weird way Im kind of proud to own one for this reason alone), and that they have alot of potential.

I never done any research about these cars, well not enough and all i knew was i just wanted one (Oh and i love it too, can't seem to stop driving.)

Anyways enough blah blah talk, what i would like to know is:

a) When driving normally (as this car also is my everyday car) at what speed/RPM does everyone change there gears at?

b) Should 6th gear ever be used below 100km/h?

c) Pointers of any sort when it comes to these big beasts while driving around town (ie Not how to drive but basically all those little things everyones noticed that helps towards enjoying your drive.)



NB* So far the way i seem to drive is i floor 1st, 2nd and then back off coz im already doing the speed limit :bawl: But only because i love the sound of the engine. it makes me feel like very very happy.

[rosey]

normally, when i'm just cruising and not trying to give it a bootful i change around 2500-3000 but i always keep the revs at least 1800-2000 so i'm not labouring too much.

i know what you mean, i hardly get a good chance to wind mine out, by the time im in 3rd i'm goin way too fast lol (plus nankang cheapies don't help either)

[csv rulz]

V8s only chew fuel if you stick the boot into it. My SS is as good on fuel as the old VT V6.
The key i have found is to drive it as smoothly as possible.
And occasionally i put mine in 6th at 60km and its fine as long as you dont try to pick up speed.

[OI15XC]

im also new to the V8's and my vy ss when i first got it from previous owners chewed a lot of petrol but since ive been driving it and getting it serviced, its not bad now, i use BP ultimate, it drinks petrol when im hitting it thou, but other then thats its not bad,

i use 5th gear sometimes when im going 60kmh gets my average down also :)

[JaMeS_2007]

i only ever use 6th when im out on the open road or on a freeway 100+ for me.

like csv rulz said. they only realy drink it when u give it a boot full.

[Buckd1ch]

Add lots of short trips to that list. Then again i think its the same with any car that you'll use more fuel doing heaps of small trips.

[thumpa]

mine returns high 9-low 10 l /100km on the open highway, around town 14-16l/100km

at the drags....58-64l/100km hahah

[Lincoln87]

i sware if i just cruise mine around the fuel/100kms is alot higher than if i had just put my foot down abit.

auto tho.


Im getting a full exhaust soon and a OTR + oztrack tune. should help my fuel economy abit

BUUUT, i didnt buy a V8 to be nice on fuel =)

[SSThunderute]

I neva get to use 6th round town, 4th or 5th is fine for me cruising round doing 60kmh, I get about 11 to 12L/100km combined highway and round town, and 14 to 15 around town alone. Cruise control also helps a fair bit i've found when on the highway.

[bigdogdazza]

i sware if i just cruise mine around the fuel/100kms is alot higher than if i had just put my foot down abit.

auto tho.


Im getting a full exhaust soon and a OTR + oztrack tune. should help my fuel economy abit

BUUUT, i didnt buy a V8 to be nice on fuel =)

LOL I bet the consumption goes up significantly after the mods because you forgot to add the ...Need to hear it at wot just 1 more time factor!:goodjob:

[wikky]

i sware if i just cruise mine around the fuel/100kms is alot higher than if i had just put my foot down abit.

auto tho.




How? What do you mean by 'cruise around'?

[BECAUZ]

but i always keep the revs at least 1800-2000 so i'm not labouring too much.



What do you mean by labouring too much? Is it bad for the motor to have revs lowish?

Also when turnin into streets i have found that the car seems to be fine to stay in 3rd gear even if you are dropping to around 20km/h. Is this "labouring" the motor and should i be down gearing to 2nd or it doesn't really matter?

[rosey]

From what I understand an engine will use less fuel if its kept closer inside its torque range. This works to a certain extent, obviously you can't stand on it and expect it to use less fuel.

Now that i've got a tex clutch, ripshifter and 3.9 diff gears I can feel it through my gear box if i'm revving too low. I must have a tiny bit of slack in my driveline :vpo:.

[BECAUZ]

has the tex clutch helped heaps with the weird shudder of the stock one?

If you don't mind me asking rosey how much did it cost to buy and install the tex clutch? Would you recommend it?

[wikky]

What do you mean by labouring too much? Is it bad for the motor to have revs lowish?

Also when turnin into streets i have found that the car seems to be fine to stay in 3rd gear even if you are dropping to around 20km/h. Is this "labouring" the motor and should i be down gearing to 2nd or it doesn't really matter?

I thought all this sort of stuff was covered when you had driving lessons/learning to drive, before you went for your licence? :confused:

[csv rulz]

I change gear before 2000rpm most of the time and the engine never sounds like its labouring. As previosly stated 6th is ok at 60km as long as you dont try to accelerate. I use 6th at 70km all the time.

I get 12.5L/100km around town, i can get as low as 11L/100km if im good for the whole tank.
I get 9.5L/100km on highway. Coming back from melb a couple of weeks ago after getting my exhaust done i got 8.6L/100km which is my best yet.

By the way these figures are what i have worked out not what the trip says. The trip is normally withing 0.5L/100km though.

Cheers

[BECAUZ]

I thought all this sort of stuff was covered when you had driving lessons/learning to drive, before you went for your licence? :confused:


Oh wikky, but i don't have a driver's license.


Not quite asking how to drive but driving particulars and different ppl's driving patterns of the V8, even though it may not sound like it.

[Knight Phlier]

i only ever use 6th when im out on the open road or on a freeway 100+ for me.

like csv rulz said. they only realy drink it when u give it a boot full.

Same for me - never found a use for 6th under 100k

[rosey]

has the tex clutch helped heaps with the weird shudder of the stock one?

If you don't mind me asking rosey how much did it cost to buy and install the tex clutch? Would you recommend it?

when i bought it around a year ago from pete at textralia it was around $1400-1500, make sure you get a new slave cylinder fitted while you are changing it. it cost $700 to get it put in, labour cost is a little inflated where i live. if you call a sponsor (you live in sydney so you are spoilt for choice lol) they should be able to do you a good deal.

in respect to shudder, it will be worse than a stock clutch. tex z grips are strong but they require a different driving style. from what i have heard the mal wood option 3 is similar strength (ie bullet proof if unless you have over 400rwkw) and a lot nicer to drive.

[BECAUZ]

Thanx for the info, appreciate it.

[Lincoln87]

How? What do you mean by 'cruise around'?


drive like grandma.

just gently slowly take off from the lights, going light throttle.. ie taking a good 30seconds to get to 60.. and backing riiight off the throttle as soon as i see traffic or red lights up ahead.



tune should help fuel economy.
the fact that tune exhaust otr brings power, and sound.. will not help my economy.
or my tyres.

[VXSS346]

drive like grandma.

just gently slowly take off from the lights, going light throttle.. ie taking a good 30seconds to get to 60.. and backing riiight off the throttle as soon as i see traffic or red lights up ahead.

:lol: Taking 30 secs to get to 60km/h, will certainly use much more fuel.
About 6 or 7 secs to 60, I've found about ideal. 2000-2500rpm range.
Traffic generally takes off slower than that though, so its not always easy. :(

Cheers :)

[BECAUZ]

Another question relating to this........

Talking to a mate who also owns a V8 and he seems to believe its bad to miss "the right gear" and go into a higher one. For instance going from 2nd to 4th when you just don't need the power.

Is it true that the motors don't like it or just old wives?

[OscarTheGrouch]

Another question relating to this........

Talking to a mate who also owns a V8 and he seems to believe its bad to miss "the right gear" and go into a higher one. For instance going from 2nd to 4th when you just don't need the power.

Is it true that the motors don't like it or just old wives?

Old wives IMO.

[MJR-57T]

Another question relating to this........

Talking to a mate who also owns a V8 and he seems to believe its bad to miss "the right gear" and go into a higher one. For instance going from 2nd to 4th when you just don't need the power.

Is it true that the motors don't like it or just old wives?

Why would it hurt it at all.

If you rev it right out and can skip a gear but still end up around 3000rpm then your sweet.

Labouring too much causes the ring landings (little part between the rings on the piston) to become dislodged.

Its common for the boy racers in the VL's to snap the landings from labouring the RB30's too much to get that deep note while "lapping"

[bigdogdazza]

Dont baby it! You wont break it by giving it a little bit of a run through the gears. Dont have to wrap em in cotton wool, they are a solid setup and can handle a bit of punishment. Have fun!:goodjob:

[255-LS1]

i usually just put it on instantaneous fuel consumption and very load and gears to achieve the lowest number. works for me. i think the main thing is just drive smooth and use light throttle.

but realistically who gives a fuk. you bought a V8, deal with it.

[Vulture]

With regard to 6th gear and 100km/h, what car is it? What diff gears. Personally I don't use 6th until 100km/h and I have 3.7 diff gears. The 3.45 in the current SS is ridiculous.

[255-LS1]

With regard to 6th gear and 100km/h, what car is it? What diff gears. Personally I don't use 6th until 100km/h and I have 3.7 diff gears. The 3.45 in the current SS is ridiculous.

same, with 3.7s here. Anything under 100 kay is a waste of time sure its good if your off the throttle but any slight incline or anything and its just crap. Only time a slot 6th is on freeways with cruise on. You can still acheive good figures in 5th at 100 kay with straight option to over take or maitain speed up incline if required.

[fatbob]

I've found when I can't hear my wife over the engine is about the right time to change, unfortunately.

[iloveholden]

I've found when I can't hear my wife over the engine is about the right time to change, unfortunately.

:lol: Classic....just go everywhere in 3rd :)

So coming from a novice of 6 speed manual V8's, in 5th at 100k's you can still somewhat accelerate but not in 6th?

I've never driven a 6 speed manual tbh.

[red-rocket]

i only ever use 6th if im doing 110Ks, around town in 60 i have it in 4th. i change gears around 2200rpm.