Speaking of gaps, the Red Line exhibits a grade of exterior finish rarely seen outside of The Beijing Auto Show. For another (you need another?), the doors’ budget-Bangle flame surfacing looks, well, Bungled. In typical GM fashion, the car’s glowering front and rear fascias are hung way-the-hell out past the wheel arches. My main point was that the ratios and spacing CANNOT be a "cut and paste" from Internet sources (like SCC) or from other existing platform applications (Like the L-series).For one thing, the ION Red Line’s proportions are all out of whack. Could they be wrong? Certainly! I typically report 5-10 errors/omissions in eSI weekly, but these kinds of specs are usually pretty solid. I'll admit the data in the year-old press release contradicts this but, my sources indicate there is a difference in the 1-2 ratios. (One of the nicest things about this gearbox is the flexibility of gearing) I assure you I have "counted teeth" in numerous incarnations of this transaxle having done dozens of overhauls of both the Saturn and Saab versions. My initial source of information came from GM eSI which lists the 1st 3.58 and 2nd at 1.87 so unless you have access to that resource for my proof, we'll have to wait for either the printed FSM Redline Supplement to be released or an updated spec sheet from Saturn. It could be the same gearbox, yes, but I'm willing to bet that it's just a different one with the same forward gears. And since GM doesn't have a lot of state-side fwd performance vehicles in the roster that are only using a 5 speed tranny, it also stands to reason that you wouldn't see to much of this gear set in the US. It's entirely possible (and i would say quite likely) that different transmissions use the same 1-5 gears because they got them "just right" for multiple FD ratios and decided to stick with one set of gears for all of their 5 speed fwd performance applications. If it were also used in the L, it stands to reason that they would have mentioned it. Turbo, as you should know, that much of a difference in the final drive ratio will have a huge impact on how each of those gears "feels" and performs.Īs to whether or not it's the L series transmission, i can only point to this old description of the RL as evidence that it's not.they specifically say it is used in some european models. I want to see what improvements to the interior are made for all Ions, what the 2.4 engine offering is going to be like, and if there is going to be a Red Line midsize offering from Saturn.įor the Red Line Ion I wish the passenger seat folded down, they offer LSD, a bit more power, a 6 speed manual, and if the gearing is off, Saturn/GM addresses this. I'm going to hold out for a 2005 or later Red Line if they are still around. I believe the Red Line will be far more dependable starting out and owners will have a far better chance of receiving decent service from Saturn/GM. What I have noticed is the SRT-4 could very well have issues with reliability and if you have a rotten Dodge dealer they will look for every reason to void your warranty and blame it on any sorts of modifications made. Stock SRT-4's are tough to beat in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile areas and several owners of these cars are not satisfied and turn to mods and stage 2 kits, etc. The SRT-4 is always used in comparison it seems for these types of cars and I agree that the Red Line Ion also falls into the same category. (and again no formal "quotes" used in their "article") lol Hogwash! Everyone (and certainly a mechanical engineer such as Reuss) knows that any "towing" specific gearing generally requires LOWER gearing not higher, so I don't know where they dug that up from. *I for one am also skeptical of SCC's so-called "quote" from GMPD’s Mr.Reuss as attributing the taller gearing and specifically the "spread" between the 1st and 2nd gear ratio's as being for turbo towing in Europe. What I am saying is the SCC published gear ratios appear to be incorrect and the table in their article does not indicate the actual source of their numbers. Saab offers the F25 (RPO MU3) 5-speed equipped with 2 different 1st and 2nd gear ratios 3.38 and 3.58 (1st) and 1.76 and 1.87 (2nd) and NUMEROUS final drive ratios! Most of the publications out there are using the basic tooth counts from GMs powertrain web-site or assumes it's the same as the L-series What I am talking about specifically is the 1st and 2nd gear ratios R/L is 4.050 (same as the B207L equipped Saab 9-3) I already know the difference in final drive ratios
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