Nuther question: '03 GT --- what's with the RPM hanging between gears?
 

The car I recently drove (2003 GT, 65K miles, 5-speed) was quite slow and the RPM wouldn't drop when you hit the clutch to change gears. It would fall, but only after about 2 secs and then too slowly. It made for a very annoying drive.

Is this something wrong or is it the way they all are?

Thanks!

Re: Nuther question: '03 GT --- what's with the RPM hanging between gears?
 

It's how they are. Perhaps Ford is trying to make the shifts smoother with the manual transmissions?

Re: Nuther question: '03 GT --- what's with the RPM hanging between gears?
 

Well, it certainly doesn't make anythign smoother. It makes shifts clunky and rough due to the fact taht the engine and gearbox aren't matching speeds. If this is "normal", it's going to wear out the synchros and clutch much sooner as well for the same reason.

Re: Nuther question: '03 GT --- what's with the RPM hanging between gears?
 

It is for emissions. All the new cars have throttles controlled by computers. When you let off the gas it slowly closes the throttle to control exhaust emissions.

Re: Nuther question: '03 GT --- what's with the RPM hanging between gears?
 

Yes, this is what I thought.

I have since learned about the restrictive fix for the IAC valve. The copper cap drilled to about 1.4" works great.

Re: Nuther question: '03 GT --- what's with the RPM hanging between gears?
 

What did you drill?