In article .com>,
"laocmo" > wrote:

> Anyone know a good source for the relationship between rpm, highway
> speed, horse power, number of gear speeds, etc.

There's no precise relationship. It's simply the choice of gearing,
presumably matched to the car's intended use, but also affected by
marketing and fashion. The Miata doesn't start to make serious power
until it reaches 4000 rpm; it also will run all day above 6000 without
problems. It's how a small engine delivers good performance, which the
factory assumes the buyer will value over quiet cruising. The Miata
doesn't have much oomph down low, and more transmission gears makes it
easier to stay within the narrower powerband.

OTOH, modern Corvettes have 6 speeds, just because it's fashionable.
They could probably get by with two.

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html