Caretaker

Just to give you an idea of what can do with a Sport20:

1-55 in first gear (if you have a CAI filter with a sport muffler, that's music going at 35 at around 5000 RPM)

55-90 in 2nd gear (at 6500RPM around 90km/h)

This car loves the high revs, when u hit 4500 rpm, you are in the pleasure zone really.

I always downshift instead of just braking, what about you guys?

brucelee

you're talking about kmh right? for a second there i thought you were talking about mph haha. i haven't been able to rev the engine very much...i have about 1300 mi on it now but i still feel like i'd hurt the engine if i go up too much. i dont think i've really even hit 4000rpm yet.
i dont downshift when i see that i'm going to be stopping completely but i really want to instead of just putting it neutral. i'm still trying to master heel and toe, but my shoe gets caught on the floor... i cant position it not to. for now tho i'm working on getting those times when i put it in neutral, stop until about 2mph, put it in 1st instead of 2nd, and go. i'm doing something wrong..
btw, just had a thought about the concept of "never downshift into first, even if you're going really really slow." (at least my friends said that) when you start from a complete stop, you would rev up to about 1500-2000rpm when you let off the clutch right? if you're moving as slow as 2mph, wouldn't the revs drop below that, which would mean it really wouldn't put much stress on the engine or the transmission? also, what rpm would 5mph translate to? altho i'd probably opt to go to 2nd gear at that point to be safe....
thanks

Caretaker

usually, u should take it easy until 5000KM. But don't be afraid to rev near the red line after that.

Everybody was where you are once before and it is normal. Downshifting instead of just braking is called "engine compression". it is harmless for the engine and it will save your brake pads. You can try to adjust your seat for a better positionning.


If I were you, I would wait until a complete stop before putting it in 1st. otherwise, use the second and press the gas pedal.


you have 2 options:

1) save on gas

in this case, never rev more than 3500 rpm before shifting to next gear

2) use what your engine was made for:

you can rev until the red zone or to 5000 rpm each time. it will not damage your engine. It will hurt your gas bills, but if you enjoy sport driving, there is no price.


1st will be fine, but it will feel smoother if you go in second. It will prevent a compression effect.

pro-slug 2003

how much horsepower does the sport 20 have?

Caretaker

it has 170 HP (stock) with 18.5 Kgm of torque at 6700.

If you modify it, (exhaust manifold, sport muffler, intake, bigger throttle), I'm pretty sure it is about 190-200 HP with a Torque in the low twenties.

The engine is different than the ProtegeSpeed..a Turbo on a Sport20 would put it in the 230-250 HP range for 3500$US.

doclaw

you can use the engine compression to slow you down but remember a clutch is alot more expensive then brake pads. Also I don't use it to slow me down I only use it to be in the proper gear when I come out of the turn. Don;t want the car to bog. haha