JLUinAZ

Huh, interesting. I use it most days driving the FWY to work, between 65-80. I usually keep it between 2500-3000 and shift between 3000-3500 for just casual driving. Of course, the motor really comes alive over 3500

Quadcammer

6th gear is perfectly fine to about 1800rpm or so for steady state cruising.

This is not a roller bearing 356 motor, it has plenty of torque to maintain speed at 2000rpm, much less 2500rpm.

As noted, if you need to accelerate more than a little or you reach a bigger hill, downshift as you like (there is a reason you have all those gears, use them).

You are 100% perfectly fine in 6th gear at 2500rpm or below even.

doc_porsche

Freeway only

os993

That is why when I re-geared my box, I also changed out 6th to Euro 6th ratio. Perfect for 80mph cruising and I use 6th almost daily when I commute to work.

timothymoffat

6th gear at legal freeway speeds on level ground is good for fuel economy and won't hurt a thing. Just don't try to pass anything that doesn't have pedals.

The gearing of the G50-20 (all US/CDN normally aspirated cars and most ROW normally aspirated cars after mid 1996) is just too tall.

goofballdeluxe

Yup ^^^^

6th gear is very usable, and there is no danger of using it below 2500.

It was added to your car as a highway gear to maximize MPG at higher speeds on flat roads.

The Brewmeister

Interstate driving, 60+ mph. I never get above 5th on local highways, traffic, hills, and curves prevent it.

Stewart

My 97 C4 was used as daily driver and regularly used 6th. Maybe US 6th gear is longer compared with UK, but I used it all the time. I wasn't always tearing around, so found anything up from 1800 rpm was absolutely fine. Same with my current 93tt.

os993

Ok, during my drive today, I noticed the following RPM range (with the Euro 6th gear).

At 65mph, 6th gear RPM around 2600RPM. Very acceptable - I have a slight drone at this RPM (totally livable) due to my Fabspeed cans (love the cans bty..)

At 75mph, I'm at a very comfortable 3000RPM.

So, as you can see, I use my 6th all the time, but again, it's the Euro-geared 6th. The US version 6th, IMHO, simply blows (actually all US gear ratios blow, but that's for another discussion!)

Dryfly57

Safe travels!

CP

The stock 993 6th gear lacks torque. I drove a 993 C4s and my M5 back-to-back on the same roads before I came to such conclusion.

A 993 turbo will solve that issue readily. A Ruf BTR .....

Nevertheless, I have no issues at about 2,500 RPM cruising in any gear. Just be prepared to shift.

CP

levtron

Really??? I will go right into 6th... and some times I actually skip 5th. I was just driving around, and actually realized that I need to use 5th more...

I am actually surprised about how you all think there is no passing power in 6th, @ basic HW speeds. If I'm cruising above 60mph, I rarely change gears, unless there is traffic.

When I first got the car, I was actually hyper shifting, but after burning the clutch out, I am much more passive in my gear choices on the highway.

Now.... If we are talking about a windy road, and staying under 40/50.... then I just stay in 2nd.. The 3rd is such a high jump.. I once went on a backroad, of a backroad, for a few miles, and never got out of second.. The torque is AWSOME.. and the sound is like an orchestra!!!!

race911

Whoa, flashback time. Ever had your hands in one?

To paraphrase LTC Kilgore: "I love the smell of castor oil in the morning."

Never have replaced a clutch (friction material), own or customer, on any car that resembles stock due to going-down-the-road shifting.

CamsPorsche

Our cars have a 6th gear??? kidding...of course.

I use mine on the highway as we can drive at 80-100mph with no issues of police etc. Its definitely a cruising gear for higher speeds.

matt777

Exactly. 0.775 ratio says dog.