Motorsports

Mopar151

(10,190 posts)

5. True - but!

Mon Mar 5, 2012, 05:56 PM

Mar 2012

Nascar Cup, and their other divisions are a production based racing series. -The transmissions currently used are updated versions of production transmissions.
F1 engines turn 15000 rpm plus, and do not have a particularly wide powerband - thus the need for more speeds, with closer ratios, and the paddle shifters, cuz' ya gotta shift so much to kep the little missle up in it's powerband. The big beast of a sedan has similar horsepower, but turns 1/2 the RPM, with a broader powerband.
The other thing is - 7 speed, paddle shifters would increase costs considerably (especially with the necessary sophisticated engine control software), and would not improve the show.

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Why do they still only have 4 speed transmissions in NASCAR? [View all] Electric Monk Mar 2012 OP

They don't need overdrive. Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #1

Don't need no more...... - and a cost issue Mopar151 Mar 2012 #2

They don't need a "cruise" gear Mopar151 Mar 2012 #3

F1 cars don't need a "cruise" gear either, but they have 7 speed transmissions Electric Monk Mar 2012 #4

True - but! Mopar151 Mar 2012 #5

Back to my original point. The street versions sell with 5 or 6 speed trannies, not 4. Electric Monk Mar 2012 #6

Your point was addressed in response #2. Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #7

When all your racing is done in circles, at comparatively steady speeds.... PavePusher Apr 2012 #8

Nascar has road races at most of it's professional levels Mopar151 Apr 2012 #10

Sorry, I forgot to make the tone more clear that I was indulging in mild ribbing. PavePusher Apr 2012 #13

There is a big secondary market for stock cars in road racing. Mopar151 Apr 2012 #16

No crazyrayray Jan 2013 #21

They are as "stock" as any part of the rest of the car, other than the hood and roof skin. Mopar151 Jan 2013 #24

Come on now, they only just this year admitted that fuel injection exists... truebrit71 Apr 2012 #9

Fuel injection is not unknown to NASCAR Mopar151 Apr 2012 #11

Aah yes...Lucas Electronics.... truebrit71 Apr 2012 #12

Dude, I feel your pain. Mopar151 Apr 2012 #15

Lucas electrics.... PavePusher Apr 2012 #14

The 3 position Lucas Switch; A HERETIC I AM May 2012 #19

Sprint cars and some modifieds have run mechanical FI for years. HooptieWagon Apr 2012 #18

Nascar V8s have a fairly broad torque range HooptieWagon Apr 2012 #17

LMP1 t-dub1978 Jun 2015 #25

$$'s spent wouldn't improve the product One_Life_To_Give Jun 2012 #20

NO crazyrayray Jan 2013 #22

What are you trying to say? Mopar151 Jan 2013 #23

Because that's the way they've always done it jmowreader Aug 2015 #26