[olddog]

Well for once, I'm discussing with some people who understand this subject. Eschaider I appreciate most all of your points. Many were things I were thinking and just didn't want to take the time to go into. I was intending to get people who do not understand this to see a simplified example that they could understand, so yes a lot of detail was left out. I truly appreciate you filling in more detail.

The only point I think you may have missed that I was getting at, was the 3rd verses 4th gear acceleration. I set the example up so the car was going at the same speed in both cases. Yes 3rd gear gives you more torque to the wheels by the lower ratio, but the point is you do not have to calculate the torque to the wheels. At any given speed, the gear that allows the engine to make the most power is the gear that will yield the most acceleration. Precisely because power is a measure of work over time.

I have been working 70 hr weeks and just don't have the time to spend on making sure I have every technical detail stated correctly. If I was writing a book expecting to be paid, I would have put much more effort into it.

Anyways thanks for the help. It was appreciated.