S52 Swap Goal: 80mph = 3,000 RPM

[Lakis]

You're right. However, when I drive to vegas from Utah for example. The speed limit is 75 to 80mph most of the way. Aren't I burning up my motor (faster) driving at 80/85 mph for 400 miles in 90 to 100 degree weather? AT ALTITUDEs ranging from 7000 to 3000.... at 4200+ RPM>...

[M-technik-3]

I have a 2.79LSD chillen in my shed, but you're in CA, I don't even know where to begin to ship it there.

About 85 bucks in a rubbermaid container.

[Wanganstyle]

I have 215/40/17s in the back.
I like the idea of a 6 spead; just was afraid to visit the cost of one. Although my transmission and current diff are in excellent shape (trans has 32k on it) So I would get decent $ for them/trade.
Switching to a 2.93 would be great on the highway but I would probably lose lots of low end.
If a 6spd is astronomically expensive then the 3.25 sounds like a fair compromise...

with narrow 215mm tires, the 2.93 will actually hook up the car a little better in 1/2 gear. Car will become "faster" as there is more usable power. i.e. use more throttle, shift less.

the ZF box is pretty silly short, stock S52+3.23 = I used to run out of RPM in top of 3rd gear on track all the time and 4th dosn't have enough power to climb hills- like the climb to turn 5 @ laguna seca. horrid!!! need 2,000 lb car like an E30 instead of e36 street weight pig!

S52 is better power range than M20, but its RPM range is actually quite short for the gearing - this was done to boost "performance" and accell numbers at cost of fuel economy etc. Also to pair with our USA low rpm s52 engines (7k max efficiency vs 8k of ITB engines). S52 is best used as a torque monster and geared low/mid to stay there.

Shift EARLY to go faster is the concept on that one... carry the speed of the vehicle instead of being a s2000 ricer who has to disrupt the body stability and downshift x2 to hit v-tech to only upshift 2x immediately post lol

if you are not spinning the 215mm tires with a e30+S52 swap......you have not hit gas pedal hard enough? perhaps there is a gas pedal stop underneath your pedal not adjusted correctly :P

with a 2.93+zf I think 0-60 time would go down, possibly 1/4 mile also. E30's are LIGHT :)

My OEM e36M with better rear foootwork and traction would spin 245mm street tires through 2nd gear happily.

if you don't have enough acceleration, add POWER....

shifting like mad man does not make = fast or save money on gas :)

a 6mt is bling yes, ideal for manic close gear spacing.

its .83 6th gear is actually shorter than the 5th .81 of a G260 (original to your e30)