Why don't modern cars have an overdrive?

[THE_Liam]

Been wanting a real classic car for a while, and I've been offered a Vauxhall Magnum 2300 for a few hundred quid. Took it for a drive, and tries out its 4-speed overdrive gearbox, basically it's a normal 4-speed, but you flick a switch on the gear knob and 3rd and 4th become 30% higher for cruising. Seems like the best of both worlds, close ratio box with a high cruising gear at the flick of the switch?

[Matt]

That is complete win! If the '6 had that it would be bloody awesome

[darrenjlobb]

They do, 5th and 6th

But yeah would be pretty epic if we had a high / low box setting so could just flick her into eco for crusing and still enjoy the short box for epic win ragging!

[Toms306]

Yeah, mine has an overdrive............its just a ratio below 1:1.

[THE_Liam]

Thought about it a bit more, would be quite difficult on FWD unless it could be built into the box, because apparently it goes between output shaft and prop on RWD cars...

Great idea though, would be great

[Ruan]

Yeah, nowadays it ends up that in reality, you just give the box more gears...

I think it was more for FR layouts where the OD unit goes between the box and the diff, before a time when it was easy to fit 5 gears inside a gearbox... Especially gears longer than 1:1...

[Matt]

They do, 5th and 6th

But yeah would be pretty epic if we had a high / low box setting so could just flick her into eco for crusing and still enjoy the short box for epic win ragging!

I find I can't cruise in either, it's still too rev happy lol.

[procta]

Been wanting a real classic car for a while, and I've been offered a citroen cv2 602 cc for a few hundred quid. Took it for a drive, and tries out its 4-speed overdrive gearbox, basically it's a normal 4-speed, but you flick a switch on the gear knob and 3rd and 4th become 30% higher for cruising. Seems like the best of both worlds, close ratio box with a high cruising gear at the flick of the switch?

fuckin hell will that move liam with an over drive?

[THE_Liam]

What you want is a Metro mate, I get a hard-on just thinking about mine...

WTF?

[Connor]

They do, 5th and 6th

But yeah would be pretty epic if we had a high / low box setting so could just flick her into eco for crusing and still enjoy the short box for epic win ragging!

I find I can't cruise in either, it's still too rev happy lol.

Thats only good when the cams rev intime with the crank

[procta]

What you want is a Metro mate, I get a hard-on just thinking about mine...

WTF?

liam we have done the metro thing pal:p if i had posted that, you would have said "I WANT IT AND I WANT IT BAD"

[Mattcheese31]

i used to have an old Tranny (oo err) with 4 gears and an overdrive switch on top of the gearstick . . . .yes it was cool . .

[THE_Liam]

i used to have an old Tranny (oo err) with 4 gears and an overdrive switch on top of the gearstick . . . .yes it was cool . .

Awesome!

I've offered 350 for the Magnum, engine needs a rebuild but I'm thinking Rover V8...

[Danny2009]

i used to have an old Tranny (oo err) with 4 gears and an overdrive switch on top of the gearstick . . . .yes it was cool . .

Awesome!

I've offered 350 for the Magnum, engine needs a rebuild but I'm thinking Rover V8...

Less thinking more action! that would be epic!

[Rippthrough]

They do, look inside most modern VW gearboxes, 5th and 6th is on an overdrive shaft to keep the main gear cluster smaller.

[THE_Liam]

i used to have an old Tranny (oo err) with 4 gears and an overdrive switch on top of the gearstick . . . .yes it was cool . .

Awesome!

I've offered 350 for the Magnum, engine needs a rebuild but I'm thinking Rover V8...

Less thinking more action! that would be epic!

I know, but let's see what happens. It needs a bit of welding too, and I f*cking hate welding, so 350 is as high as I'll go. I know an RV8 will go in a Viva/Firenza/Magnum, it's just a case of finding a decent cheap one...