Pagoda Pick Up Speed

[n/a]

If you are reading this post because you think "pick up" is for the picking up of ladies, I am sorry I am going to disappoint you.

I have an automatic but I have noticed that I always created a separation from the car behind me when I accelerated from a stop at a light. Is this meant that the Pogodas have a good pick up speed from zero, even with an automatic? The other cars will catch up eventually, but for the brief moment it felt pretty good.

Louis 70 280sl Red Auto

[Cees Klumper]

Maybe they want the blue smoke to clear up before pulling ahead.

It's common for cars to lag behind when pulling away from a traffic light. And it also depends on how hard you yourself accelerate as to whether cars stay close to you or not. Having said all that, Pagodas should have reasonable pick-up if the engine is healthy and properly tuned, even with the automatic. Maybe you have a 4.08 rear end? That would help. Starting out with the gear selector in 2nd can make the tires spin in my car, also when shifting into second (which is almost as soon as the car gets going). I like to drive fast and spirited in my Pagoda, in case you didn't know yet!

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Chad]

Oh yes it's nice, isn't it?  

-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10
1983 300TDT, 123.193

[TheEngineer]

I installed a 3.27 rear end and recently re-did the cylinder head. That is, I replaced the head because I had stripped the spark plug thread in one cylinder and found, after I had removed the head, that it had been machined below the minimum thickness. Now the car runs much better. When I really want to out-accelerate another vehicle, I put the transmission selector in "2". The acceleration is quite satisfactory, but gloves, sunglasses and everything loose falls down.