short gearing

["Grant Lenahan" <glenahan@notes.cc.bellcore.com>]

Short Gearning is the same as "close ratio" (usually).
It means that all the gears are on the low side of their range,
and generally spaced clos together, so that you can keep the
revs up and get better acceleration (along with higher noise and
poorer fuel economy).  A good example is the standard audi
box vs the short-ration gearbox in the 4000Q or Coupe GT.  In an
82 Coupe, 3000 rpm in 5th gear produced about 78 mph.  In an 83+
Coupe GT, the same 3000 rpm in 5th produced about 65 mph.

Grant