Gear Ratio Opinions Please
#1
Gear Ratio Opinions Please
My '72 currently has the 8.5" 10 bolt open differential with 2.73 gears. Its got a 455 mildly built, a TH400, and I'm running 27" tires in the back. The car never sees the highway, only driven around town for fun.
I just picked up another 10 bolt that has factory posi and 3.23's, as well as an extra set of 3.73's. Do you guys think I should swap in the 3.23 axle or would it be a better choice to pay the money to have the 3.73's setup with the posi?
I just picked up another 10 bolt that has factory posi and 3.23's, as well as an extra set of 3.73's. Do you guys think I should swap in the 3.23 axle or would it be a better choice to pay the money to have the 3.73's setup with the posi?
#3
Can you spin the tires already?
Steeper gears will make your car quicker off the line ONLY if you have traction.
3.73's are just too much. 3.23's are a great gear for most 455's. But if you can light up the 2.73's already, you won't gain anything.
3.23's and go MT drag radials would be fun.
Lee
Steeper gears will make your car quicker off the line ONLY if you have traction.
3.73's are just too much. 3.23's are a great gear for most 455's. But if you can light up the 2.73's already, you won't gain anything.
3.23's and go MT drag radials would be fun.
Lee
#4
I can spin the tires pretty easily, but the tires will still grab. It just depends on how I drive it. I dont know a whole lot about how certain gear ratios will effect a vehicle. I know that the higher numbers are supposed to make more torque, but if you go too far then all you will do is burnouts. So I figured I would ask the experienced guys...
#7
I used to think that 3.73's were always the best, and 4.11's were even better, but I guess that's because thats what everyone around me talked about while growing up as a kid, and thats probably because they all had small block chevys haha. Im glad I could get some input from you guys. I think I might be going with the 3.23's, especially since I can just bolt that axle in and run it with no extra costs.
#8
The 3:73 is a popular gear for a street/strip 455.If you do not do any highway driving,I would go with those.They will help get the most out of your engine performance.You will not need any more gear than that though.If your car has AC,then you might want to consider the 3:23's.You could freshen-up the 3:23 rear,try that,and have the 3:73's installed into your existing rear,along with a posi unit.
#11
As a youngster, I also thought 4:11's were better than 3:70's, and when the 3:70's went away, got a 4:11! [yes, early sbc]
Only noticed a difference in high gear, though, with a M-22.
With the torque of the 455, I'd also also choose the 3:23's - 3:73's are a little too much - now 3:42's would be perfect!
Only noticed a difference in high gear, though, with a M-22.
With the torque of the 455, I'd also also choose the 3:23's - 3:73's are a little too much - now 3:42's would be perfect!
#13
Those cars that came with AC were offered ratios up to 3:42.If a ratio higher than 3:42 was ordered,there were certain warranties voided.
The higher rpms can actually disengage the compressor clutch,so you would not be able to get AC.
The higher rpms can actually disengage the compressor clutch,so you would not be able to get AC.
#16
I'm still convinced that the factory limitation of 3.23 for cars with A/C had more to do with engine cooling than over-spinning the compressor.
Cars with A/C received a heavier-duty cooling system.
Cars with low gears (higher numerically) received a heavier-duty cooling system.
It's simple extrapolation to say that, if either of those options alone warranted the heaviest-duty cooling system offered, then both of them together would require the superdupergonzomotherofall cooling systems.
Of course, the factory didn't know if you live in Death Valley or the Yukon, so in the interest of reducing their warranty costs, they played it safe. Your mileage may vary.
Cars with A/C received a heavier-duty cooling system.
Cars with low gears (higher numerically) received a heavier-duty cooling system.
It's simple extrapolation to say that, if either of those options alone warranted the heaviest-duty cooling system offered, then both of them together would require the superdupergonzomotherofall cooling systems.
Of course, the factory didn't know if you live in Death Valley or the Yukon, so in the interest of reducing their warranty costs, they played it safe. Your mileage may vary.
#17
I have a little old standalone app the lets me put in tire size, trans type/ratios, diff ratio, MPH, RPM,etc. You just leave one field blank and it fills it in.
But, there are numerous ones out thar on dat IntarWeb.....
Matter of fact, here's an Olds related one now !
http://tech.oldsgmail.com/axle_RPM.php
But, there are numerous ones out thar on dat IntarWeb.....
Matter of fact, here's an Olds related one now !
http://tech.oldsgmail.com/axle_RPM.php
Last edited by Indy_68_S; August 17th, 2011 at 05:11 PM.
#19
So the 3.23 axle a bought turned out to not be a direct bolt in with my Cutlass Supreme, so I took the gears and posi carrier out of it. In a few weeks I'm going to have the posi put into my current 10 bolt rear end, and I think I'll have them put the 3.73's in rather than the 3.23's.
#26
#27
I would just transfer everything over to the 10 bolt in my Cutlass, but since I'm going through all this work now I want the 3.73's in it, especially since that's what I wanted in the first place. So rather than attempting to setup the posi and 3.73's in my 10 bolt I will just pay a shop to do it to ensure it is done right.
#30
If it were mine I would run 3.73's just for the fun. But 3.23's= lower rpm and better highway cruising. The answers that were figured in that formula mentioned sound about right for that trans and those gears combo.
#31
I'm not sure if they'll light up the tires or not, but the 3:08's are supposed to be a nice all around gear set. With your big block they're still liveable on the highway, and you'll get off the line a bit quicker around town.
#32
My '72 currently has the 8.5" 10 bolt open differential with 2.73 gears. Its got a 455 mildly built, a TH400, and I'm running 27" tires in the back. The car never sees the highway, only driven around town for fun.
I just picked up another 10 bolt that has factory posi and 3.23's, as well as an extra set of 3.73's. Do you guys think I should swap in the 3.23 axle or would it be a better choice to pay the money to have the 3.73's setup with the posi?
I just picked up another 10 bolt that has factory posi and 3.23's, as well as an extra set of 3.73's. Do you guys think I should swap in the 3.23 axle or would it be a better choice to pay the money to have the 3.73's setup with the posi?
#34
Well at this point I'm not worried about highway driving. If it does see the highway it wont be very far. Pretty much all driving I do with it is in town. I wanna go with the 3.73's, and then in the future its gonna get a 5 speed.
#35
That was some time ago! Did you ever put in the 5 speed? I am deciding which gears.
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