My car is an '85 grey market, so I'm not sure if that means much. I'm trying to find out if the tranny is shifting correctly. Could someone let me know what rpms your car is in at various speeds so I could verify on my car?

I'm thinking 15, 25, 45, 55, 65 and 75

On the drive home when I bought it the car sounded like it wasn't shifting into top gear on the highway. I officially registered it today and put the tag on it, so I can post my numbers tomorrow by lunch time.

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-James

'85 280GE...sold
'96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396
'14 Cadillac Vagon. . . . . . . . . . "Life without knowledge is death in disguise." - Hans-Peter Geerdes

An unanswerable question - without knowing more about your transmission and rear axle ratio, in which case you could calculate it. Euro cars often have higher axle ratios than U.S. models, and often offer more optional ratios.

Actually it's a very answerable question. I'm not asking you to tell me what my car should do, but what it might do based on other owners results.

I know there are other grey market cars out there. That's why I worded the question that way.

I know nothing about my tranny & axle ratio, so any information would be helpful.

How many forward gears are there on a US spec tranny? I sold my 300CD and didn't think to count the shifts. Is there a way to tell what gears are in the tranny or rear end based on part numbers, tags or some sort of markings?

Perhaps someone might have access to a dealer brochure for '85? Curious if it would list gear and tranny options.

__________________
-James

'85 280GE...sold
'96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396
'14 Cadillac Vagon. . . . . . . . . . "Life without knowledge is death in disguise." - Hans-Peter Geerdes

Mine is a 500 sec euro

OOOh
I drive it
& leave the shifting up to ole mocha
It shifts when it wants too
& as long as its smooth & happy
what do I care...

Maybe when I;m done w watching temp & oil pressure & idle
I;'ll start with the rpm shifts...

I can add that when it was smogged
15 mph reported 1370 rpm
25 mph reported 1341 rpm

seems backwards but thats what it says

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

that car should have a 354 rear end. I don't know the shifting speeds off the top of my head though, but they should shift at full throttle pretty near the redline, which is 6500. I would think it will hold til at least 6200 at full throttle. It is a four speed if an automatic.

Just guessing.....45, 65, 80, 100. at full throttle.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'll try that today. At part throttle it doesn't want to shift much at all. I was told that a shift kit would possibly resolve the problem. What're the odds that my tranny is shot? It seems to be stuck in 2nd. On the way to work I hit 100 at 5000 rpms, then dropped to 80 at 4100. After coming to a stop it didn't want to shift back into the gear that allowed me that. I'll do some research tonite and give some detailed info on shifts, but it felt like on only had 3 forward gears on the way to work, and only 2 by the time I got here.

__________________
-James

'85 280GE...sold
'96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396
'14 Cadillac Vagon. . . . . . . . . . "Life without knowledge is death in disguise." - Hans-Peter Geerdes