What is the shift knob pattern (R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the 1991 Diablo? I'm picking one up tomorrow and want to practice properly in my dreams

Gary,
Push down on the shifter and move upper left for R (I felt like a jerk the first time I tried to get it in reverse because I didn't know to push down)
Down bottom left for first
Up middle 2
Down middle 3
Up right 4
Down right 5 (only when you hit 125MPH)

Make sure you wear proper shoes.

Pictures would be nice.

I would never have known to press the shifter down to get into reverse. Thanks!!
I'm not sure what proper shoes to take: runners? dress casuals? wingtips? I guess you mean skinny shoes because of the lack of space in the foot well?

I use 5th when i am doing 90mph so is that not a good thing to do should i stay in 4th?

I get in 5th sooner than that if I'm going to be on the highway a while, just for fuel economy, and while the noise is beautiful, sometimes I just want quiet.

I don't recall having to push my shifter down to go into reverse. I will have to check.

Also I don't know this for a fact because I am not willing to try this, but I think while the car is moving forward you have to becareful not to shift into reverse. I don't think there is a reverse lock out.

Also another note, you don't have to press the clutch in to start the car. So if you park it in gear...remember that!

Keep an eye on my posts, I am doing a ton of upgrades and posting pictures to help people out on here like they have me in the initial beging like they did me. Just giveing back! Can't wait to see pictures. It's a great feeling when you get the car and I too had a hard time sleeping the night before. I got my car delivered at 5pm and the whole day was hell...LOL! Now I have taken it apart and don't expect to get it back on the road until Maybe late winter...early spring...but it will be a completely different car after I stick the engine back in.

__________________
1992 Lamborghini Diablo
1992 Ferrari 512TR

Adam, you are right. Our older "D"s are a straight shot where 1st gear would normally be. I have had more than 1 close call. Using a valet, I always have to tell them to "start off in 2nd".

I picked up the 1991. I don't have to press down to get into "reverse" and until I read the above comment, I though it was busted -- sigh of relief.

Good point!

Another poster from another forum had a very good post regarding this:

"It is correct the manual states to depress the clutch when starting. The reason is by doing this you will not be turning the extra mass of gears in the tranny in its thick fluid, esp in a cold climate. This inturn will save a little life on the starter and battery. It is also a saftey item so incase the car is left in gear you won't drive it through the family room wall. Some other cars (non lambo) hav a saftey switch on the cluch so you have to depress it . All that being said, heres why you should not depress the clutch while starting.

Its to save the crankshaft and heres why. All crankshafts have back and forth play designed into the motor. This is known as end play. It is controlled by two thin flat bearings known as thrust bearings. The thrust bearings are normally located in the last main cap closet to the flywheel and on some engines (non lambo) they are in the center main cap. These bearings allow the crank to float or more back and forth within its limits which is normally .004 to .010 ofan inch. While the engine is running, oil pressure is what keeps the crank from touching these thrust bearings, just like the oil between the rod brgs and crank or main brgs and crank. Everyone with me so far? :roll:
Lambos have a pretty decent stiff performance pressure plate in them. It takes, and I've measured this, 110 ft lbs to release a CT clutch, 120 ft lbs on a early Diablo and about 90 ft lbs on a later Diablo.
So you hop in your lambo, push the clutch in to start it, lets stop for a minute and examine whats happening. By pushing in the clutch, you have pulled the crank all the why upagainst one of the thrust bearing surfaces and not lightly because these cars have a pretty healthy clutch, now you are turning the engine over with the starter but theres no oil pressure yet, so that means the crank is up against the thrust bearing DRY. Hummmmm. Not good.
Now these little thrust bearings are pretty forgivable and tough. And you won'tdo damage immedatitally. But over many years and many starts, You will do damage to the crank. I has sseen it many times. Most of the lambo engines I tear down have scaring to the thrust surfaces. I have had to replace 1 crank in an 25th CT and repaired 2 cranks, 1 diablo, and another CT. Most of the other engines I've done the crank was ok but the thrust bearings were worn.
This scenerio is true for any car, but your performance and sports cars with stiffer clutchs are the ones to be more cautious with."

Wow! great info. I never thought about it.