2005 T-Bird - Use of Manual Shift (AKA Slap Shift)

[007Cruiser]

Shifting out of overdrive and into lower gears on long or repetitive mountain downgrades vs over-heating your brakes is a wise use of the manual shift features.

I agree. That’s the only way I use it.

[wcoates]

It is your car so drive it like you want to. Just keep us posted on the results. I see our cars as boulevard cruisers, not street legal race cars. I would be concerned over revving with aggressive manual shifting will have other negative outcomes besides transmission problems.

I do not have Borlas on the Grey Ghost but do have K & N CAI which has a nice rumble under load. Three or Four times a year I get the urge to do the select shift through the gears. Obviously start in first and floor it. Shift through each gear at slightly more than 5000rpm. Car sounds good and performs very well for a V8 which is smaller than the 260 ci I had in a '63 Falcon (first ) convertible. (Good Lord, could that have really been 55 years ago?)

[Frank Dreano]

I do not have Borlas on the Grey Ghost but do have K & N CAI which has a nice rumble under load. Three or Four times a year I get the urge to do the select shift through the gears. Obviously start in first and floor it. Shift through each gear at slightly more than 5000rpm. Car sounds good and performs very well for a V8 which is smaller than the 260 ci I had in a '63 Falcon (first ) convertible. (Good Lord, could that have really been 55 years ago?)

Ha! I had a 63 Comet convertible with that same motor - the first V8 I ever rebuilt...

But, you can't really compare modern fuel-injected cars with i'smart' ignition timing, "intelligent" shifting and other computer controlled do-dads against low-tech/no-tech 60s motors.

[carntz]

Ha! I had a 63 Comet convertible with that same motor - the first V8 I ever rebuilt...

But, you can't really compare modern fuel-injected cars with i'smart' ignition timing, "intelligent" shifting and other computer controlled do-dads against low-tech/no-tech 60s motors.

I would think there are exceptions including my 66 mustang with 289 K code 271 HP would smoke the Retro even at an altitude like Lake Tahoe. No computer necessary, just raw HP.

[Frank Dreano]

I would think there are exceptions including my 66 mustang with 289 K code 271 HP would smoke the Retro even at an altitude like Lake Tahoe. No computer necessary, just raw HP.

Going off-topic, but my wife's 6-cylinder 2016 Durango would shut down my original base motor 63 Corvette; its just the way it is...
And - I want your Mustang if its a true HiPo

[11TH GEN]

I would think there are exceptions including my 66 mustang with 289 K code 271 HP would smoke the Retro even at an altitude like Lake Tahoe. No computer necessary, just raw HP.

Is this a car you currently have ?

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

Well my re-builder (reputed to be far better than factory re-build) came back early so I got an answer to my main concern


"Use it if you choose it" .. "Ford put it there to use" .. "used properly, it's likely better on tranny than Drive .. and more fun to some"


Thanks for all the input - My decision is based on assessing "all" advice

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Going off-topic, but my wife's 6-cylinder 2016 Durango would shut down my original base motor 63 Corvette; its just the way it is...
And - I want your Mustang if its a true HiPo

is your '63 a 250hp? Mine was 375hp if my memory serves me...there also was a 300hp..correct?

[11TH GEN]

is your '63 a 250hp? Mine was 375hp if my memory serves me...there also was a 300hp..correct?

250 - 300 - 340 -360 for 1963

1964 a 375 hp was available.......I'll bet you swapped yours out

[carntz]

Is this a car you currently have ?

Sad to say been sold about 35 years ago

[Frank Dreano]

I still have the split window car and its the 250hp "base" 327ci...original numbers matching with one overhaul in 2004...
All other motors were cost upgrades; 300hp 340hp and then fuel injected; the SHP motors (last two in list) being solid lifters.

Sounds like the young man who started this thread has considered all that was posted/said and come to his own conclusions...which is good.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

[QUOTE=Frank Dreano;n1080896]I still have the split window car and its the 250hp "base" 327ci...original numbers matching with one overhaul in 2004...
All other motors were cost upgrades; 300hp 340hp and then fuel injected; the SHP motors (last two in list) being solid lifters.

Sounds like the young man who started this thread has considered all that was posted/said and come to his own conclusions...which is good.[/QU YOU'RE CORRECT Frank, my '63 was 340hp