As other posters have mentioned, your actual type of driving will dictate your choice. I also believe your age will make a big difference on what you will find acceptable.

Much like other posters Ive had a wide range of axle ratios in different vehicles. Ive had 3.08, 3.36, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10, and 2.73 with od.

When I was 20 I had a car with 3.42s, and it seemed ok on the highway.
When I was 21 I had a car with 3.73s, and it seemed ok on the highway.
When I was 25 I had a car with 4.10s, and it was tolerable on the hwy.
When I was 35 the car with 4.10s was not pleasurable anymore.

I will be 37 this year and my 3.36 vette seems to be a decent compromise all around, even though sometimes even this gearset seems a little restrictive on the highway. 10 years ago I would have said that my future [present] self is a wuss.

I think its age, and exposure to the comfort of more modern cars that makes it harder to put numerically higher gears in a car.

Think we're all just getting spoiled now, and with today's availible tranny's and gas prices, why not. My daily 08' Pontiac GXP 3.6L, 6 speed auto, will basically trounce most C3's, and about 1800 rpm @ 70 mph, getting 28 mpg. My C6 M6, is about 1500 rpm @ 70 mph, with similar fuel milage to my daily car. Today's tranny's are the real stars. Why not take advantage of them. As mentioned earlier, have another car originally with a TH-350. Now has a 700R4 with lock up od, and the cat's meow.

I went from a 3.08 to a 3.55, and it was a big difference off the line. However, I had already changed the 400 auto to a 700R4.

FYI: If I would have known about the 2004R transmissions I would have done that instead for the closer 1-2 gears, but the 700 does fine.

Okay, so here's another option/question.

What if I leave the 3.08 rear and add a 700r4? I've got one in my C2 that I've been considering swapping out for a TKO.

I just love it with my TH400 and 3.08 gears when both the needles are straight up at 80 mph and 3 grand:thumbs:.

It will feel better in first gear only but you will be lugging the engine on the highway. 3.08 is too tall of a gear for an od. 3.55 or 3.73 is best for an od. It gives you the best of both worlds, acceleration and economy. Just going to a 3.36 would be a big help.
Mike

Thanks to all.

I think my plan will be to look for a used 3.55 rear end and do a swap.

Then I'm set for any trany swap out, whenever I decide to do it. If I don't, then I've still got the SOTP feel I was looking for.

So, did you ever find your 3.55? I'm looking for the same swap and wondered what you ended up doing.... I have a forum member that is interested in a 3.73 swap for my 3.08that would be great off the line but beyond that a bit harsh, especially with headers / sidepipes.....

Looking to swP A 4.11 for a Chevy 3.55 gear differential set up
 

Where do I find these 3.55 rear ends? I am willing to horse trade my original 4.11 factory 6 lug out of my 64 truck. I have already put new 5 lug disc on front. S this gives the added value of having 5 lug in the back. Now I can rotate my tires and get good highway performance.
Tks for any help - Steve

I want to swap pout my original 64 chevy truck differential 4.10 fro a 3.55.
 

Help Needed: - I want to swap out my original 64 6 lug chevy truck differential 4.10 for a 5 lug 3.55. Where do I find a complete axle to axle unit? What year model gms / chevys have this 3.55?
Tks - Steve

You have a truck rear end in your Corvette?

Old Chevy Truck Driver:
Do you own a corvette? if so what year? How can you have a truck differential in a C3 corvette that comes from the factory with a independent rear suspension? There is no axle to axle on a C3 corvette.

Sorry but no - I am new to this posting stuff - Sorry.
 

I guess this is where i am supposed to put a new Post?????????? First day- so sorry yall. Anyway I am trying to find a swap/trade/buy/sale something to switch out my original 1964 6 cyl 6 lug Chevy 12 bolt rear end, to a 5 lug 3:55 gear ratio. My understanding is that my original is a 4:10 or a 4:11 gear ratio. and I think PT also???? Runs great now, no road noise or whining. So what Makes and/or Models can I look for in the barns and weeds to get me going? I hear go back to a 10 bolt. Any horse trading out there? Too difficult for beginner to change out all the hog head, axles, brgs etc. Tks -Steve

Sorry but no - I am new to this posting stuff - Sorry.
 

I guess this is where i am supposed to put a new Post?????????? First day- so sorry yall. Anyway I am trying to find a swap/trade/buy/sale something to switch out my original 1964 6 cyl 6 lug Chevy 12 bolt rear end, to a 5 lug 3:55 gear ratio. My understanding is that my original is a 4:10 or a 4:11 gear ratio. and I think PT also???? Runs great now, no road noise or whining. So what Makes and/or Models can I look for in the barns and weeds to get me going? I hear go back to a 10 bolt. Any horse trading out there? Too difficult for beginner to change out all the hog head, axles, brgs etc. Tks -Steve

This forum is for Corvettes. You'll have better luck here http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/

Tks
 

The only reason I went here is I saw multiple post on 3:55 gears. But yes I will move over to the truck world. Tks again- Steve

That is a great forum, I am a member there as well.

Sorry, but if you don't know the diff between a Corvette gear and a truck gear you might be up for a little reading on both first.

Trucks were generally made for hauling and pulling, thus the stiff rear gear. Not for sure if a highway gear could be ordered, but it would probably be somewhat rare.

3.36 200 r4 roller engine 350, serp drive....electric fans, DPFI, and happy as a clam.....

~2400 rpm at 80 cruise........and I get passed fairly regularly....

but it's lesser cars trying to prove a point......


:D:thumbs:

What are you talking about?