GEAR RATIOS MK3 GTI

MK3 GOLF GTI 8V

1ST GEAR UP TO 30MPH
2ND ONLY UP TO 45 OR 50
3RD GOES OVER 60

HOW COMES I HAVE TO USE 3RD GEAR TO GO TO 60MPH

IS THIS RIGHT.

 

I don't know the exact spec on your car but I make some guesses.

I'm assuming you have 15 inch wheels, a gearbox final drive of 3.67 and a 2nd gear ratio of 1.94.

At 7000rpm that gives you a calculated road speed of 68mph.

You should hit 60mph at 6124rpm in that gear.

So yeah, I'd say something ain't right.

If you give me the exact tyre size and gearbox code, I can work it out for definate for you.

 

it could be your speedo is out though?

 

how do u check if the speedo is correct or not?

and if it is not correct how can u fix it

 

where do u suppose to find the gear box code

 

Gearbox code is stamped under the gearbox, on a flat piece of the casting. Speedo's normally read around 8% fast from the factory, but it'll be different if you have non-factory wheels/tyres on it that aren't the same overall diameter.

 

This will tell you how much diferent tyres will change the speedo reading

 

you should be hitting an indicated 60ish in 2nd gear at 6200rpm, and over 100 in 3rd if I remember correctly.

 

Between 85 and 90 in third

 

Yup I hit 60 no probs in 2nd with 205*45*16 tires and a CHE box. summat aint reet!

 

My corrado won't hit 60 in 2nd.

do I care? no..

 

No, cos you'll be throwing the engine away soon no doubt!

 

No, I'm using it in my old mk2.

People get so hung up about "60 in 2nd" and it affecting 0-60 times. who cares?!?!?! name me a single form of competion motorsport that actually times 0-60 and uses it as a basis for performance comparison? there isn't one, it's just a stupid magazine thing.

 

yup, 0-60 is a bit crap.

0-30 times show off the line traction better.

0-100 (or 1/4 mile) times are better for judging acceleration from a standing start (dont rely on traction as much as 0-60)

 

I thought the smaller box's on an 8v couldn't hit 60 in 2nd as you cant get the revs as high as the 16v, hence the lower speed?

It's one of the reason's im changing my 1.6 box.

EDIT: Oh yeah my 6250 rev limiter doesnt help but it's there for a reason (life expectancy ).
Edited by: fthaimike

 

I've got a MK3 8v box in my Mk2. I can't hit 60 in 2nd.....in fact I'm not sure what I can do at the mo, as I still haven't sorted my speedo.

 

My 88' mk2 8v box would just hit 60 in second, whearas the 91' spec one that im running now hits nearly 70. Personally I prefered the old one, 2nd feels a bit long now compared to the other gears...