Tim, Ken's main point in all of his short gear critiques is that there are certain speed ranges where the short gears do not accelerate as fast as the USDM gears. Most of these ranges are near or above 100 mph. Here they are (using my current rear tire diameter of 24.9 inches):
75-85 mph --> If you step on the gas anywhere in this range, you will be in 3rd gear with the short gears and 2nd with the USDM. 2nd accelerates faster than 3rd.
104-119 mph --> If you step on the gas anywhere in this range, you will be in 4th gear with the short gears and 3rd with the USDM. 3rd accelerates faster than 4th.
141-151 mph --> If you step on the gas anywhere in this range, you will be in 5th gear with the short gears and 4th with the USDM. 4th accelerates faster than 5th.
I find this is a small price to pay for VASTLY improved "street", i.e. day-to-day, driving. Having just spent an entire day within the first of the above-listed ranges, I find the statistical "disadvantage" to be nearly imperceptible. My NSX is now fun to drive on the street AND the track.
75-85 mph --> If you step on the gas anywhere in this range, you will be in 3rd gear with the short gears and 2nd with the USDM. 2nd accelerates faster than 3rd.
104-119 mph --> If you step on the gas anywhere in this range, you will be in 4th gear with the short gears and 3rd with the USDM. 3rd accelerates faster than 4th.
141-151 mph --> If you step on the gas anywhere in this range, you will be in 5th gear with the short gears and 4th with the USDM. 4th accelerates faster than 5th.
I find this is a small price to pay for VASTLY improved "street", i.e. day-to-day, driving. Having just spent an entire day within the first of the above-listed ranges, I find the statistical "disadvantage" to be nearly imperceptible. My NSX is now fun to drive on the street AND the track.
I'm sorry if I"ve read you wrongly Ken but it seems to me that you have never given any examples of "street" use where you didn't mention "street light to street light" type examples. You'll have to show me where I'm wrong on that. You usually are very specific about any reference to short gears advantages.
Now - I don't know where you live - but where there are twistie type roads - which is what our cars are designed for - then that's also "street use". That's the kind of street use that most folks long to find - that's the kind of roads that Atlanta has in many parts - CA too - as in canyon carving. If your in Florida - or many cities in the USA have a grid system - that's more like the "street light to street light" benefit I blieve you describe. I've never heard you be a proponent of using the short gears on twisty type roads. It seems as has been discussed by many here in this thread that below 100 on twisty roads you get a definite advantage over the long gears.
Are you now saying that's the case or not? Sorry to be putting you on the spot but I'd love to hear your answer to this one. Maybe I have you all wrong?