I just saw a panel for sale on ebay that was out of a camaro (they had it listed as 93-02) that had a second gear start or take-off button. Did 93-97 come with a 2nd gear start option? If so, what is the point?

 

The point is to keep your fuel mileage high. I have a 97 auto but there is no second gear start on it.

 

Oh... That makes sense.

 

Second gear start is usually for slippery conditions like snow or mud.

The other use is for checking stall speed with the foot brake . There's usually not enough torque multplication with the 1.63 second gear to spin the rears with brake torquing, at least with a near stock converter.

FWIW, second gear start in normal dry road driving probably uses more, not less fuel. More throttle pedal required, therefore more engine load and more fuel. That's my observation using instantaneous fuel economy computer in my Vette.

Don't know which F-bods had that feature, but my 97 C5 has it by selecting "2" and then shifting to D when rolling. Otherwise it just stays in 2.

 

Its for V6 cars only and its an alternative to traction control. Less power in 2nd gear = less spinning. The other guy is completely wrong as it actually hurts gas mileage. When I did my V6-LT1 swap I kept the button but it no longer works, LT1 PCMs don't have the option.

 

I got this off of a Porsche web-site, but I think it applies:

I can only speak of the auto 928s that I have driven in (all US versions). Every one of them started out in 2nd gear. Remember, the AT is a Mercedes Benz transmission. MB is notorious for having their cars start out in 2nd gear unless the driver takes steps to make them start in 1st. I've been told the reason the ATs start in 2nd has to do with meeting stricter fuel economy
standards. Most Porsche owners don't give a rats rear about fuel economy. If they did, they probably would have bought a Deisel VW.

If you take 5 seconds to get to 35 mph starting in first, and 5 seconds to 35 mph starting in second, you will get worse fuel mileage.

If you use 10% throttle to get to 35mph starting in first, and 10% throttle to 35 mph starting in second, you should see an increase in your fuel mileage, because it will take longer to get up to speed. That is the key.

I don't dispute the traction argument.

P.S. Pontiac discontinued 2nd gear start in 1997.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevic...ear_Start.html