Ok so I have this 71 cutlass with a 350 that I am attempting to pull as close to 400 hp as I can. Let's say I'm almost there. I am most likely going to get the 2500-3000 stall for the 350 turbo 3spd so which gears should I go with? Keep in mind I don't care to sacrifice the 2 or 3 miles per gallon because this car isn't meant to be a daily driver how ever I would like it to be daily driver capable if ever my truck went into the shop( knock on would) but my MAIN focus on this build is to dust newer sports cars and get as much of that 400 hp to the wheels as possible without sacrificing the longevity of any other parts.

Sooooo. Which gears should I get?

Thanks in advance and Semper fi

 

There are a few things to consider, here is a simple calculator to play with to get some ideas:


http://www.angelfire.com/fl/procrastination/rear.html

 

Are you city driving or highway driving you don't want to over rev I know it's not that big of a deal on small blocks but still

 

What rearend do you have? For those ratio choices it sounds like you have a Chevy 12 bolt.

If it's for the original 8.5" 10 bolt, then 3.55s are not available. 3.42s would be the closest.

http://richmondgear.com/pdf/Richmond...n1.pdf#page=31

 

I do have the gm 10 bolt 8.5.. So with that should i go with 3.42 or 3.73.. And to reply to oldstata this car will be city only. On my way home to Florida I may take it off the trailor and burn through a tank of gas just for fun. But 99.99% city and strictly for dusting the new mustangs and camaros that rev at me at red lights

 

Just to give you an idea my car has a solid 355; 3.42 gears with 2200 stall converter and it runs 68mph at 3000rpm. If it was me I would do 3.42 it will be big upgrade that you will feel. Talk to Jim (monzaz)about your rear end parts.

Now the other thing, if you want to run with new sports car don't waste your money on a 350. Get a 455 and build that. It will cost about the same but power difference is huge. I went all out on my 350 10:1, fully ported, bigger valves, custom cam, roller rockers, etc. and sorry to say but my 383 chevy(that costed half as much) in my 69 Chevelle will just smoke my Cutlass. Not to mention my buddy's 5.0 with some upgrades, I was embarrassed.
Trust me (I made that mistake), I think we have the same goal and no matter what you will not be happy with 350.
455 can still be found relatively cheap. I bought mine of Craigslist 6 months ago for $400 in running condition and it came with th400.

Disclaimer before anybody gets their panties tied up in a knot:
Above statement is from my personal experience and it is used solely with intent to save OP's money and to prevent him from building something he may not be happy with. This is my opinion that I am entitled to as this is a open forum.

 

don't go betting the house once you put new gears in. my 69' 400 4 speed conv 415hp 505 tq
has a 12 bolt 3.73 with 17" American wheels & Nitto 555 ...I've been working on tire pressures to get it to hook. My 2010 370Z with Stillen intake/exhaust & uprev will throw you back in the seat while the 442 is doing an awesome burn out. My buddy's GTR just ran a 10.20 at Moroso with an uprev & E85 kit .....tuff to compete new with old.

 

Unfortunately I have already started the engine work on my 350. Plus is this is my first build so I'm learning off this befor I move on to big blocks. And about Jim, funny you mention him because I have already been going thru him for some good info and rear end parts. I just can't get a bigger vote on which gears I should go with.. They're are about even. I'm looking for someone who has actually used one if these gears and let me know how it is. So far I got one person with experience on the 3.42 so I'm ready to see what others who used the gears have to say

 

3:73's.
I run 3:73's in my car,with the 507. At 60mph,it's at 2800rpm. The smaller 350 will make good use of that gear.
Think of the gearing as a torque multiplier.

 

I will be installing 3:42 gears with a posi this spring, Don't know what to expect yet however that was the suggestion from many here. Scooter is doing the same he may chime in as he's just about completed his. I also purchased the perfect launch diff cover for a little insurance.

 

3.73. If you want to get the max out of that motor go with the lower gear. Eventually you could move up to a 200R4 if the low gear gets old. 200R4 has a lower first gear anyway.