Hi,

Most 4 and 5-speed cars that I have driven have had rather short gearing, and the "range" for each gear was obvious.

The M46 confounds me. For example, driving in town at 25 mph, I am well within the range of 2nd, but the engine seems to be working a little harder than it needs to be, so I up shift to 3rd which gives me a nice cruising rpm of 1,500. But now I feel like I am on the verge of lugging the engine and it does not respond particularly well to more throttle. I have the same "should I be in 3rd or 4th?" dilemma at 40. 2500 seems high for cruising at 40 in 3rd, but 40 seems almost too slow for 4th and it will not take 4+OD at anything under 50 without protesting.

I don't want to lug the engine, but I don't want to flog it, either. It seems to accelerate best with 3/4 throttle and shifting around 3,000, but it also sounds a little stressed.

What shift points are you guys using? My car is a wagon with the 3.31 Dana rear, if that makes a difference.

Thanks.