Quote:
Originally Posted by southernstar
986 inquiry, lower gear ratios are not necessarily better even for 'peformance' driving. I assume we can agree that what is critical is matching the gear ratios to the engine. The 2.5 had less torque, expecially low in the RPM range and hence needed lower gearing. What is more, your analysis fails to take into consideration the fact that the 2.7 and 3.2 had higher redlines - an increase from 6800 rpms to 7200, or roughly 6%. I am quite confident that Porsche, in attempting to improve performance over the 2.5, came up with what they believed were the best ratios to achieve this with the upgraded engines.
Brad
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It wasn't just about performance. It was about fuel efficiency, too. Ditto features like stop-start and electric steering in the latest Porsches.
If you don't care about fuel efficiency, the 2.7's ratios will be suboptimal.
Also, you've misunderstood the higher redline of the 2.7. With a higher rev range, you can have shorter gearing. In fact, that was part of my point. With the higher redline of the 2.7, the 2.5's gearing will be seriously sexy. You don't want tall gearing with a high revving engine. You want tall gearing with a torquey, low revving engine.
Geddit?