I didn't do a lot of research on my Si before buying it, either. The close ratio 6-speed became apparent on the test drive, though. I love it, especially with how easy it is to shift. It's a pleasure to drive and shift it. I don't find the highway RPM's to be much different from other cars with 4cylinder engines, though. It may be slightly higher than my wife's Toyota Matrix, which is why we only get a 31mpg highway rating instead of a 34+ as other vehicles with K24's get. That said, my iMid is telling me my current tank is over 30mpg and it's 100% city/commute driving, with several redline shifts at various times.
The last 6spd car I had was a Toyota and I was cruising at right around 2800 @ 80mph .. I dont have much experience with 6spd car... Most my cars has been 5spd or straight slush box.
Well, I'll admit I was not in the import scene at that point. I was in a domestic coupe at that point (Olds Cutlass 2-door, with a wretchedly underpowered 260 V8). I did spend every spare penny upgrading it (mostly wheels, tires, exhaust, etc.), and then later went to a Mazda and then to a Volkswagen. I definitely do not know everything just because I've been into cars my whole life. I learned the basics by reading a Hotrod Magazine series on how a 4-stroke internal combustion engine works when I was a young teen.
Thanks for the welcome. I hope I can contribute here.
Its cool brudda ... I was 20 back in 1995 ( yes I'm a freaking old fart ). Me and my Dad use to tune out old school Toyotas back in the Philippines in the 80's. Back in the early 90's I was into civics and then I went to the Toyota Camp in the late 90's ... I'm known to mod cars that arent suppose to go fast...
My old modding list is :
-1992 Toyota 4Dr Camry with a 5SGTE ( first one to do this hybrid ... first made 380whp and then pushed to 980whp )
-2000 Toyota 4Dr Echo ( sponsered by KAAZ USA, Swift Springs, Pass Racing and West End Alingment) this one was modded with a 6spd, full custom tein suspension, full stitch welded chasis, then was supercharged with a blitz supercharger and then swapped with a 2zz-ge.
-1972 Toyota Celica ( aka Dorima Celica ) did a full resto and now is sitting in the Toyota Museum in Torrance
-1974 Toyota Corona ( aka Macho Machine ) last project me and my dad did ... 20r motor
-1992 Honda EG B20Vtec 244whp
-1994 Honda B18C 201whp ( was my favorite EG )
-1990 Toyota Corolla ( 4AGZE )
-2006 Hummer H2 ( I got to wheelin in the mud)
-2004 Toyota Tundra ( lifted and s/c)
and finally my current beater 2012 Civic Si ... I love tinkering on anything I mess with ... I got out of the car scene because guns are alot cheaper...
ps. for the people that would like to see a few of my old projects... click on the link these are a few pics I have...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rippspeed1/sets/72157594479770372/