Originally Posted by
HEMIKID
As for the top speed, that's merely a function of gearing. The old 4-spd has a gear ratio of 1:1 in 4th gear. The new 6-spd has a gear ratio of 0.5:1 in 6th gear (or so I read). Of course this doesn't even consider the differential gear ratio in the rear axle.
But hey, I've been wrong before...
Gear ratio does matter, but I'd be surprised if the car would accelerate at high speed with that tall of a gear. Aerodynamics probably play a bigger role. Fifth is 0.83 or so, and that might be helpful... OK, I used a calculator for speed by gear ratio, and even the 1:1 4th already calculates a higher top speed. Anywhere from high 170's to low 180's depending on the tire you use. I've seen quotes of SRT engineers that the speed is drag and not gear limited. If it could pull to the top of .5:1 6th gear, it would have insane top speed, probably north of 300mph.
http://www.apexgarage.com/tech/gear_ratios.shtml for calculator