wtf is with first gear in the 540. it is like utterly useless!!!! if i dont want to redline it, i go to about 3k rpm which DOESNT EVEN MOVE THE SPEEDO NEEDLE.

wtf is with first gear in the 540. it is like utterly useless!!!! if i dont want to redline it, i go to about 3k rpm which DOESNT EVEN MOVE THE SPEEDO NEEDLE.
Yep.You need a new tranny........................... :devillook

ouch that sucks, isnt that a new car to you, it seems like its been causeing you nothing but trouble.

didn't you ever wonder why it was so cheap :devillook

good luck :buttrock

??? its a problem? i thought that was the normal gearing?

the car hits ~ 20-25mph @ redline in first.

what do you other 6 speed e34 540 guys get as a top speed in first gear?

I know my first gear is pretty short, not sure if it's 25mph or whatever. I'm headed out around town in a bit, I'll update :)

20-25mph at redline actually does sound all that bad to me. In my e39 I redline around 30-35mph (I think?) in 1st. 1st gear in a mantran car is to get the car moving and nothing more, you really shouldn't be sticking in 1st for very long anyway.

It could mean your clutch is fried too. If you're revving way up and the car's acceleration isn't matching the engine speed the clutch may not be gripping properly.

donate the car, you got ripped.

Trust me, i wouldn't even take it to a mechanic, they will just laugh in your face!

sounds like not-stock gearing... on the way home i will see what mine does with my 3.64 in it.

Dr.Evil,I have 6spd with Dinan 3.15 diff. At 3K rpm I am at 20mph.

Okay, I redline at an estimated 40mph in 1st gear.

doh i thought i was going slower... i tested it @ 3krpm and hit ~ 15-20mph still... i hate first gear in the 540.

are you saying it is too short?

yes.

yes.
Start in 2nd. :)

First in my car is short too. I have the 3.91LSD. Second and third is where the low speed fun can be found. I'm not sure exactly where first tops out at but its prob 30-35 or so.

Start in 2nd. :)

And burn the hell out of your clutch.

And burn the hell out of your clutch.
Yes,if you have a stock diff.Sheet,who keeps their car stock?

You want short? Stop whining! My granny in the Chevy truck winds out at 4mph :biglaughb

Ya'lls 54os' must launch like they got stung by a bee :eek

Ya'lls 54os' must launch like they got stung by a bee :eek
Well it is wise to use the seatbelt. :)

lol tc goes insane when i launch... maybe i should turn it off. :devillook

First gear with the 6spd Getrag is very "deep". The ratio in first is 4.XX:1....compare that with Mustangs running 2.95 or 3.35 first gear ratio. First gear offers some serious multiplication for launching. Actually, the first gear ratio in a 6spd Getrag is more like the one you find in 4 and 6 cyl cars.

This is precisely why I won't be installing deeper rear axle gears in my BMW 5 series. I don't want to turn my 6 spd into a 5 speed with a creeper "L" for pulling boats out of the river (lol).

Or recovering semis stuck in snow drifts

First gear with the 6spd Getrag is very "deep". The ratio in first is 4.XX:1....compare that with Mustangs running 2.95 or 3.35 first gear ratio. First gear offers some serious multiplication for launching. Actually, the first gear ratio in a 6spd Getrag is more like the one you find in 4 and 6 cyl cars.

This is precisely why I won't be installing deeper rear axle gears in my BMW 5 series. I don't want to turn my 6 spd into a 5 speed with a creeper "L" for pulling boats out of the river (lol).
I believe most people who shorten/change their diff. realize the benefit of a more OVERALL acceleration benefit.One reason Dinan changed the 5 series 6 spd form 2.81 to 3.15 to allow only 1 shift change in 1/4 mile.Who needs(can?) to cruise at 150mph?

I just bought my 95 6 speed this summer. If you don't come to a complete stop 2nd gear starts are easy. The reason 2nd gear is hard from a stop is because 540i's weigh 3700 pounds.
Mine has the Dinan SC and 6900 rev limit. I can get 35 or so in first. If the car is above 5 mph I usually use third. I'm sure the pinch on the clutch slave line doesnt help much with 2nd gear starts, since it makes the clutch release slower. I decided to go 3.15 though. The throttle response should be much better and I may just be able to use OD around town.
I'm glad first gear is low because A) I'll never have a 350 CI 2 valve engine is front of it and B) because it allows this heavy car to pass american "big blocks" 0-30 mph. That seems to be where 4.7 Grand Cherokees and 5.7 Tahoes shine. Or the Hemi's.

I believe most people who shorten/change their diff. realize the benefit of a more OVERALL acceleration benefit.One reason Dinan changed the 5 series 6 spd form 2.81 to 3.15 to allow only 1 shift change in 1/4 mile.Who needs(can?) to cruise at 150mph?



I do :cool

I believe most people who shorten/change their diff. realize the benefit of a more OVERALL acceleration benefit.One reason Dinan changed the 5 series 6 spd form 2.81 to 3.15 to allow only 1 shift change in 1/4 mile.Who needs(can?) to cruise at 150mph?

if anything the way the gears were set up stock would allow for less shifts. with the stock ration i could hit 102 in 3rd gear at just under 7k rpm's. if you switch to a lower ration you should be trapping in 4th.

I do :cool
^ same. i like the option of being able to cruise at that speed.

looks like i wont be changing my diff. i like my current gears, i just wish that first was a tad longer. :cool

if anything the way the gears were set up stock would allow for less shifts. with the stock ration i could hit 102 in 3rd gear at just under 7k rpm's. if you switch to a lower ration you should be trapping in 4th.
Not,I repeat not for the 1/4 mile.

so you are telling me you trap in the 1/4 mile in 2nd gear with your 3.15 diff?

Not,I repeat not for the 1/4 mile.

because that quote was in reference to when i had my car at the 1/4 mile track.

In a Dinan supercharged car,a 3.15 is more advantageous for 0-60.Sorry,my bad.And when I get my car retuned after break-in I will test this as wll as 1/4 mile.th1 3.15 also helps in getting the rpms up for the supercharger,but not for a turbo.