Please, Some reassurance needed from my fellow accord owners!!

[tenguzero]

I was passed by a Cavalier on the highway tonight. I'd originally passed him with no intent to race, but he had one of those stupid giant aluminum wings on the back of the thing, so I should've figured his mentality would be to race ANYONE passing him. Anyways, I'd passed him, then he sped up and pulled into the left lane speeding up to pass me. I FLOORED the gas, but he still got by. I was a bit dismayed. I didn't think a ('94, '95?) Cavalier would be able to beat me, but he did. Now- to my credit, several factors probably contributed. 1. He'd obviously done some aftermarket stuff, judging by the tailpipe he had sticking out the back. 2. I didn't get a good look at the model of the Cav, it may have been a z24, in which case, (not sure of the exact specs) he probably had me anyways. 3rd, and the main question I have has to do with the fact that I was in 5th gear at the time. I know Honda engines like to be revved, but is it detrimental to drop into 4th from around 4000 rpm in 5th? That might have given me the edge, had I been able to drop out of that damn 5th gear. But it doesn't strike me as a good practice to downshift and shoot the revs up that quick. Does this make any sense to anyone? Any opinions?

[strodda]

its not that big of a deal. its not gonna be easy to catch up to someone with a head start if youre not even going to downshift. btw, how fast were you cruisin when he passed you? you musta been going pretty fast to be at 4000 in 5th.

i have an a/t, but if im at 4k in top gear, im going over 100mph already. in which case i dont have alot of room to accelerate. if you want to learn safe shift points, just watch as you near 5-6k rpm. i have a little extra time to watch since i dont have to worry about shifting. and if i take it to 6000rpm, i can get to about 35 in 1st, little over 60 in 2nd, 95 in 3rd, and then i hit the speed gov. at about 4k rpm.

i think you just caught a bad set of circumstances. and i dont think a z24 is fast enough to take you that easily. im thinkin it was just some jerkoff with a running headstart. i dont personally know of any real racers that would be caught dead with one of those shitty 2ft. aluminum things.

[KrNxRaCer00]

hey, not a big deal. even w/ my gsr, unless i drop gears (while in 5th) if the other guy drops, im not gonna really pull on him. its tough to make up for a head start unless u have a lot more power, an since u didn't down shift, u didn't help urself out. i wouldn't take it too bad, my buddy in his dx dropped an was floorin it, an i noticed an jus floored it in 5th an was only able to keep up w/ him after he passed w/ about 3/4 of a lead (then of course it was all over )

[tenguzero]

Cool cool. Thanx guys, appreciate the feedback. I've seen the guy around the area before, I think, so hopefully we'll meet again late some night. THEN I'll be ready.

[Defiant_YD]

wouldn't weight be a big factor when running up against those smaller cars like the cavalier and the civic?

[micheal]

vehicle weight is always a factor particular in the momentum critical situation being discussed. but i think it was a race lost to momentum which unless you have huge ponies is difficult to make up at speeds more than 95mph.

[AftermathRC1]

dude u better get his ass next time
RC1

[Drfthis]

dont ever put the peddle to the floor when you open it that much you just get to the end of you revs and that way you get nowhere fast if you just keeep it close to the floor you will still acclerate and pluss sence you were crusing you didnt have to floor it you should of aplied just a little more gas