I currently have a 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a 455. It currently has 308 gears, but I am considering swapping to a 410. Will it be easier to powerbrake a 410 rear end or a 308 rear end?

 

With a 455 on 3.08 gears you shouldn't have to powerbrake anything. My '69 Delta with a 455 and 2.73 gears roasts the tires by just mashing down on the pedal!

 

What year is that 455? HP could be as low as 210, depending on the year/lack of mods. That could explain a lot.

C.J.

 

455 should not need any help power braking any gear...period. Gears...
gears are made to move the car quickly and get the car out of the hole off the line. To deliver maximum torque to the ground.
You will do a smokeier burn out with 3.08 gears because they will spin at a high rpm speed than the 4.10 gears through out the shift points.

Think now before going NO NO NO. Which gear gives you higher top speed?....... times up 3.08 will give your car a higher top speed then the 4.10 so if that tire can get your car to a top speed of 140 mph with in a safe rpm range when you do a burn out it is doing that speed if you go through all the gears spinning. 410 may only have a top end of 120 - 125 before the engine has had enough.... That is why. Faster tire speed MORE SMOKE.

The gears are made for the track and lower ET's quicker from point A to point B Period. Hope this helps you abit figure out what you want. If you need more info PLEASE visit us at JDRACE.COM for more helpful answers of differential questions. differential store and discussion forum CHECK IT OUT! Thanks, Jim

 

it also helps having good front brakes to hold the 455.

 

I can smoke the tires with the 307 and 3.42 gears, but I swapped from 2.73 about 6 months ago.

The 2.73's could smoke them too.

Hold the brake and push the gas, ease up off the brake just a bit and the car will jump a bit and should start smoking them up