DaveW

I don't think this is a how to fix things question, I'm looking for some insight into how these cars are built and to see if mine is behaving reasonably.

My 5spd really doesn't like driving along at low rpm. If the revs are below 2000rpm (const speed in slow traffic) there seems to be a lot of play in the engine/drivetrain which leads to a repeated snatching behaviour. If you let it, this can set up a resonance that will set the car kangarooing off down the road. If I keep the gears low and the rpm up there is no problem but that can get a bit noisy and tedious.

Otherwise the 5spd is running very well at the moment and it has just been serviced. I was thinking that this behaviour might just be due to the fairly peaky S2 engine (16V 310hp) needing revs to run smoothly but my auto which has the same engine exhibits none of this behaviour and purrs along in traffic and is my preference for the daily commute as it doesn't demand so much attention so early in the morning!.

I would welcome your opinions.

Cheers
Dave

Quaz

My 1985 Euro S2 does exactly the same thing. I assume it is due to the duration in the cam. It is just not tuned to "go slow". When it starts to do that I just shift one gear down and it is fine. I had the same problem in my old Mustang that had a built 302 in it. Just the nature of a high reving V8 at low RPMS.

Reinhardt

My 85 S2 5 speed seem to do the same thing. Demands a lot of attention in slow moving traffic.
Happy as a pig on the open road.

I've always been wondering how to fix that.

DaveW

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's nice to know that I'm running with the pack on this one and that it's a thing I shouldn't worry about much. We will just have to keep those revs up!

Cheers
Dave