Hi Everyone
My 74 Oldsmobile C S, 350 K motor 180hp?
I’m trying to wake it up a little would changing the rear end to a 3.43 help it
Take off better
What other recommendations would you guy do
Thank
Steve

 

Swapping the rear gears is the easiest and most effective performance gain you can do.

 

Your biggest bang for the buck will be dual exhaust, headers & a rear gear change. Consider 3.23s if you are staying with the three speed automatic.

 

Thank guys

 

Before buying anything....
how many miles are on the motor?
if your looking to just burn rubber a higher stall converter makes nice snap even with freeway gears.
ALL this is moot if the cart has a carb or ignition not correctly set.
Just because the car starts and idles and runs does not mean that it is correct.
advance in the distributor could be all messed up advance curve carb float dumping too much fuel will kill torque and power etc.

There are many things to check before assuming the car just does not have the power and needs gearing.

The cars back in the day were more than capable to tear up the ground with 2.73 gears stock from the factory...So if it is not doing that you are just band aiding an old tired motor and parts that should be repaired.

200 -2500 stall on a well tuned 2.73 3.08 geared car will go very well with out losing freeway comfortable driving.

As stated once you get to 3.55 you will loose the freeway comfort...noise vibrations RPM noise unbalance motor shake at more rpms will occur ... It is not a new car and more RPMS will certainly bring out all the imperfections in the ride.

Good luck on the choices... make sure you have done everything you can with the parts you have now before spending more. timing, advance, carb adjustment, check the spark plugs for burn and see if one cylinder has a different plug burn residue ....

Jim
J D

 

Thanks for the advice JD