Gears...

[Tsar]

so um..ive been pondering what should i stick in there. 4.10, 3.90, or 3.73? i know most will probably say 4.10s and what not but you gotta remember the car is my DD, i was thinking about picking up a beater but i dont have it yet. So keeping in mind that i gotta drive the ****box everyday should i swap out the stockers? Oh and how is driveability and all that jazz with different gear?

ok, go go go...

[chrisfrom nj]

i know where you can get a beater jeep for like 400

[bad64chevelle]

When I went from 3:23s to 3:73s the car was completely different. It gained ALOT. My car with the A4 felt alot better, but I dont think with 3:42s and a M6 and bumping to 3:73s will be a big jump. You have alot of transmission gear to go to a 4:10 without really running into drivability problems. I think (IMO) 4:10s in a M6 would be the best way to go if youre looking to gain some performance from the car.

[Savage_Messiah]

4.10s, you'll have no DD problems, in fact it'll probably make things easier/better.

[j0n]

id stick with 3.90s at the most, cuz with 4.10s you'll be shifting into 5th before the traps at the track if you run a stock tire size.

[bad64chevelle]

That depends on if he is planning on going to the track and how much. I know with the Nova I will be running the LT1/T56 but with 4:56 gears, but I dont really care about having to use 5th in that car.

[unstable bob gable]

4.10s FTW!

[WayFast84]

wait, so If I care all about the 1/4 no drivablity or gas milage, I should get a 6sp and some 4.56?

I want 4.10's for my car now.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by WayFast84

wait, so If I care all about the 1/4 no drivablity or gas milage, I should get a 6sp and some 4.56?

I want 4.10's for my car now.

dont even think about hijacking my thread.


Um..some interesting points so far. J0n brought up a good one, but i dunno how often i would go to the track, however if i did go i wouldnt wanna really shift into 5th before the traps. How much will the speedo be off, does any one know? i mean ill get it tuned eventually but not right away, and i dont want tickets

[j0n]

ok i just rechecked my calculations and i was wrong...if you plan on doing more than basic bolt-ons you'll be shifting into 5th.

4th gear with 4.10s = 106 @ 5700rpms
4th gear with 3.90s = 112 @ 5700rpms

edit: for comparison, cutting a 2.0 60' i trapped ~ 103 with a shifter, mid-length headers, and a tune

[ar0ck]

I also cut a 2.0 60' & trap 103 as well in 4th with 3.42s
(intake, cut-out, shifter, suspension)

[98tadriver]

i trap at 111 with my 4.11s, stock tires. its at 6100 thru the traps too :/
sorry i dont wanna hijack thread here

[Tru2Chevy]

Your LS1 can easily spin up higher than their LT1s in stock form.

- Justin

[BonzoHansen]

What is your 1st gear ratio?

[j0n]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

What is your 1st gear ratio?

2.66 : 1

[BonzoHansen]

As I have been told, the rule of thumb is to keep 1st Gear X Rear Gear between 10 and 11 (at least for street cars). Higher than 11 and 1st gear is pretty useless, lower and you don’t have enough gear, I guess causing tuning and clutch issues. I suppose this also assumes normal height street tires, not giant slicks. Super tall tires would likely alter the decision process – and I don’t know drag racing needs enough to comment. So based on that, here is the range you might look at:

2.66 x 4.56 = 12.1
2.66 x 4.11 = 10.9 <--in range
2.66 x 3.90 = 10.4 <--in range
2.66 x 3.73 = 9.9 <--in range
2.66 x 3.42 = 9.1

Cruising RPM, based on .50 6th (I am assuming 4th gen T56), Tire OD 25.8 (275/40/17)

GEAR 55m 65m 75mph
4.11 1471 1739 2007
3.90 1396 1650 1904
3.73 1335 1578 1821 (You‘d barely use this gear on the street )

The 4.11s or 3.90s look tasty. And it seems some experience with T56 4th gens around here support this. Just an opinion based on what I have been told over the years.

[Tsar]

oh wow, thanks alot


follow up question. does the brand matter, such as "motive" or "strange" whos got a better rep? or is all the same crap? thanks

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by Tsar

oh wow, thanks alot


follow up question. does the brand matter, such as "motive" or "strange" whos got a better rep? or is all the same crap? thanks

Name brand stuff is usually good. Motive, Strange, Richmond, etc...

Just note that properly set up street gears will make little or no noise. Don't believe the "so-and-so's gears make noise" buzz. Getting it done right means doing it over a few times in many cases, and not every rear builder will go to that length to keep gear noise down.

[qwikz28]

http://www.f-body.org/gears/

have fun

[bad64chevelle]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

As I have been told, the rule of thumb is to keep 1st Gear X Rear Gear between 10 and 11 (at least for street cars). Higher than 11 and 1st gear is pretty useless, lower and you don’t have enough gear, I guess causing tuning and clutch issues. I suppose this also assumes normal height street tires, not giant slicks. Super tall tires would likely alter the decision process – and I don’t know drag racing needs enough to comment. So based on that, here is the range you might look at:

2.66 x 4.56 = 12.1
2.66 x 4.11 = 10.9 <--in range
2.66 x 3.90 = 10.4 <--in range
2.66 x 3.73 = 9.9 <--in range
2.66 x 3.42 = 9.1

Wow if you are right, I get a little nervous about the trans going in the chevelle with a 3.42 first gear ratio
3.42x4.10=14.02

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by bad64chevelle

Wow if you are right, I get a little nervous about the trans going in the chevelle with a 3.42 first gear ratio
3.42x4.10=14.02

T56 swap?

[bad64chevelle]

no...

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by bad64chevelle

no...

i guess you like giving all your money to gas stations

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by bad64chevelle

Wow if you are right, I get a little nervous about the trans going in the chevelle with a 3.42 first gear ratio
3.42x4.10=14.02

3.42 first?

What trans are you using?

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

3.42 first?

What trans are you using?

M20 IIRC