vectra 1.9 cdti sri question

**Mads** · 26th March 2011, 20:32

hi just a quick question if anyone can help please? i now have the above car which i love, now tonight i needed to pull off fast so i floored it away in first gear and after a few seconds the car was in the red line, i tried again on the way home so i could see the speed and post with more info on here and the speed was 28/29 mph in first gear, is this normal? the car pulls lovely in all 6 gears from 14/1500rpm so i have no issues in that sense i was just amazed by how quickly first gear runs out and you need to change to 2nd
thanks in advance

**Grimo72** · 26th March 2011, 20:50

yes thats normal, diesels have different gear ratios than petrols.

but i wouldnt recommend doing 30mph in 1st gear

diesels are for torque not BHP

**Mads** · 26th March 2011, 21:01

thanks grimo72 its not something i normally do thats why i only just noticed it, 1st just seems to be a really short gear compared to the other 5. thanks for the reply atleast i know thats normal. this is my first diesel car always had petrol but will stick to diesels from now on as i love it

**Sierra2** · 26th March 2011, 21:01

If your talking about the 120, i don't find the power untill in second gear. 24k, 2006 after that the turbo kicks in just lovely. Getting her remaped once my leg is out of a cast.

**Aikon58** · 26th March 2011, 21:14

Originally Posted by Grimo72

yes thats normal, diesels have different gear ratios than petrols.

Which is why i went for the auto with a diesel engine

**Mads** · 26th March 2011, 21:23

Originally Posted by Sierra2

If your talking about the 120, i don't find the power untill in second gear. 24k, 2006 after that the turbo kicks in just lovely. Getting her remaped once my leg is out of a cast.

its the 150bhp mate

**Derek Mc** · 26th March 2011, 21:29

There is much info on short shifting diesels around tinterweb, and once you get into the habit and style you can really make these engines hussle rather nicely

**Mads** · 26th March 2011, 21:33

Originally Posted by Derek Mc

There is much info on short shifting diesels around tinterweb, and once you get into the habit and style you can really make these engines hussle rather nicely

thanks, i really love it compared to the 2.2 petrol sri i had before, will update my profile pic soon

**Grumpy1954** · 26th March 2011, 22:14

Originally Posted by Derek Mc

There is much info on short shifting diesels around tinterweb, and once you get into the habit and style you can really make these engines hussle rather nicely

Even easier with an auto, left foot on footbrake, right foot keeping 1250+rpm, lights change, let go brake

**mparks8590** · 26th March 2011, 23:23

the 150 final drive is 3.55

the 120 is 3.35

insignia ecoflex is 3.09

the final drive makes the 150 fast but you soon run out of gear as the power is upped eg remap.

i'm currently working on a project to raise hp to 230 torque to 500nm and drop final drive to 3.09 or even less if i can make auto fd work

that way i have power but its more useable