Some observations: S4 5 speed vs. GT
06-09-2006, 06:39 AM
#31
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The thing that strikes me the most is the seemingly "eagerness" of the GT to accelerate.
But really I would not say that GT is relaxing car to drive - its eager for speed just does not allow one to drive it calmly.
06-09-2006, 07:00 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by Cheburator
Well, guys, nothing compares to a 2.73 rear end and a good 5spd box. Both my 1984 S2 5spd and my 1990 GT will hit the limiter in 5th... 
06-09-2006, 07:18 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by Garth S
.... and in doing so, the gas tank also kissed its 'limiter'
06-09-2006, 11:21 AM
#34
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Redlining in 5th = ballsy to the extreme!!! I was very close last year, and I don't get scared easy, but redlining in the 170's is much different than redlining in the lower gears.
Originally Posted by Cheburator
Well, guys, nothing compares to a 2.73 rear end and a good 5spd box. Both my 1984 S2 5spd and my 1990 GT will hit the limiter in 5th...
06-09-2006, 06:28 PM
#35
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I think the bottom line is your driving style. I tend to like high revs and drive to the torque band pretty much all the time. It's a less relaxed way of driving, sort of like being in a 911. The GT lends itself to that style and rewards me with lots of sound and fury as well as a kick in the ***.
Having said all that, my post on comparing the GT, GTS and an AUTO 87 makes the point that, at least on the road, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference in terms of subjective feel and neither car can leave the others in the dust.
Having said all that, my post on comparing the GT, GTS and an AUTO 87 makes the point that, at least on the road, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference in terms of subjective feel and neither car can leave the others in the dust.
06-09-2006, 10:58 PM
#38
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Well, I think most of the comments vis-a-vis the comparison are pretty accurate. Having pressed my GT into a daily driver I may have some perspective on the useability of the GT everyday.
The GT does indeed have a gearing 'issue' I guess. My fix is to short shift it. There's plenty of goomph from 1000RPM to shift into 4th at 30, and fifth soon after. This helps a bit with the fuel economy too. The suspension is not well suited for in-town traffic, and of course it is much happier on the fwy above 70. The RPM at that speed is what I would call about right for a supercar, and maybe somewhat high for a cruiser like the S4. My Espada runs 3300RPM at 75, and redline is 7000, where it sounds quite nice.
The lower power of the GT steering pump is an annoyance in-town as well. It turns just fine, but is somewhat truck-like. Excellent road feedback. As for the steering wheel, bolsters, seat geometry, none of it is different enough from an S4 to really amount to much. The airbag wheel has spokes where I like them, and it's leather wrapped, so fine with me. Knee bolster comes out with three screws.
When things heat up on the pavement, the GT turns from a beasty to a very angry car with lots of goomph above 4K. I have found the PSD and active traction control to be a benefit on a few occasions, when I got a bit wild. Would an S4 do the job? Of course, but the GT not only does the job, but does it in a kind of 'in your face' & 'is that all you got?' kind of profile. Bone stock, the GT will withstand almost all of my limited driving ability within the bounds of sanity.
Go tracking and the GT is the car to have. Or, for combined tracking and long distance high speed runs, I still like the GT. For in-town, shopping, go to the movies, pick up the kids from camp the S4 is more suitable. And this type of stuff is what most of us do each day. The GT is as it was intended. Take a really good supercar, then start tweaking the suspension, engine, and gearing for a bit more fun.
Doc
The GT does indeed have a gearing 'issue' I guess. My fix is to short shift it. There's plenty of goomph from 1000RPM to shift into 4th at 30, and fifth soon after. This helps a bit with the fuel economy too. The suspension is not well suited for in-town traffic, and of course it is much happier on the fwy above 70. The RPM at that speed is what I would call about right for a supercar, and maybe somewhat high for a cruiser like the S4. My Espada runs 3300RPM at 75, and redline is 7000, where it sounds quite nice.
The lower power of the GT steering pump is an annoyance in-town as well. It turns just fine, but is somewhat truck-like. Excellent road feedback. As for the steering wheel, bolsters, seat geometry, none of it is different enough from an S4 to really amount to much. The airbag wheel has spokes where I like them, and it's leather wrapped, so fine with me. Knee bolster comes out with three screws.
When things heat up on the pavement, the GT turns from a beasty to a very angry car with lots of goomph above 4K. I have found the PSD and active traction control to be a benefit on a few occasions, when I got a bit wild. Would an S4 do the job? Of course, but the GT not only does the job, but does it in a kind of 'in your face' & 'is that all you got?' kind of profile. Bone stock, the GT will withstand almost all of my limited driving ability within the bounds of sanity.
Go tracking and the GT is the car to have. Or, for combined tracking and long distance high speed runs, I still like the GT. For in-town, shopping, go to the movies, pick up the kids from camp the S4 is more suitable. And this type of stuff is what most of us do each day. The GT is as it was intended. Take a really good supercar, then start tweaking the suspension, engine, and gearing for a bit more fun.
Doc
06-09-2006, 11:55 PM
#39
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Hey, for me I am just using the car as a "street car". The long gearing is a plus at 80-90+ mph extended highway cruising. The S4 and GT are very similar in many ways, and most will have replaced suspension at this age, so sport suspension won't make a difference.
Good to know the knee bolster comes right out in the '90+ GTs.
Good to know the knee bolster comes right out in the '90+ GTs.
06-10-2006, 12:29 AM
#40
I have a recollection (just barely) of the 89S4 being a good compromise between the 2.75 and the 2.2.
5th was very nice on the highway.
A good thing about the 2.2 is that 3rd gear can be used on the highway!
5th was very nice on the highway.
A good thing about the 2.2 is that 3rd gear can be used on the highway!
06-10-2006, 02:08 AM
#41
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This was fixed in the '91 GT's. I have a 90 and 91 daily driver and the difference is significant.
The lower power of the GT steering pump is an annoyance in-town as well. It turns just fine, but is somewhat truck-like.
Doc
Originally Posted by docmirror
The lower power of the GT steering pump is an annoyance in-town as well. It turns just fine, but is somewhat truck-like.
Doc