What is Manual Overdrive

[Vette Virgin]

Here's a question that I've never really understood.

"What is Overdrive?" And for my 6 speed Vette, "What is Manual Overdrive?"

To me, overdrive was always the tallest gear, but I feel that I need a better explanation at this stage of my life. Thanks guys/gals!

vv

 

[Hib Halverson]

Here's a question that I've never really understood.

"What is Overdrive?" And for my 6 speed Vette, "What is Manual Overdrive?"

To me, overdrive was always the tallest gear, but I feel that I need a better explanation at this stage of my life. Thanks guys/gals!

vv

Overdrive is a gear where the engine turns less rpm than the driveshaft.

For example, the in a base C5 manual, the sixth gear ratio is 0.5:1 so if the engine turns 2000 rpm, the driveshaft turns 4000 rpm.

A manual overdrive is an overdrive gear in a stick-shift transmission.

Overdrive is always the tallest gear but not every manual trans has an overdrive gear. Until the early 80s, most American cars had a 1:1 high gear.