ok, i will consider shifting into 1st more in the 8. usually i havent found it to be faster in other cars i have driven. but i am admittedly out of touch in my 350ft lb, 2100 lb car.

james

 

Depends on the course (of course). I usually do my first run in second gear, then try downshifting in the slow parts. I usually find that it helps quite a bit, especially having more power available in first to try help rotate the car.

Must be nice having all that torque. Makes me want to drive a C5.

 

its a mixed blessing in a 90" wheelbase car- things happen almost too fast. the 8 is so incredibly stable, i feel i can really drive it and be rewarded for getting it right.

i learned about dealing with low power from racing stock and modified miatas- they can be very fast, just dont ever slow down and take a loopy line to do it. in the 8, the idea of downshifting bothers me because of how much the suspension is upset by the shift. shifting has a pretty huge effect on the lateral grip, just imagine juking around with the throttle that much in a corner when are you not shifting. there isnt always a straight handly to shift on.

i gave up trying to do the 1-2 shift in the cobra- its faster to start from the line in 2nd because the car pitches so much during the shift.

james