Is 3.55 enough gear?

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Feb 2, 2006 | 09:29 AM

#21

norvalwilhelm

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 11,872

Likes: 12

From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hvymtlc5

I understand what you guys are saying about the overdrive. BUT, my intentions for the car right now (still have not driven it) is only to drive it once in a while....you know that Saturday night cruise around town thing...no long Sunday drives in the country. I don't care about gas mileage (right now) but want the car to pull really hard from the "tree" or stoplight (I know Norval is cringing about the stoplight thing

) If you think the 3.08 is more than enough for a BB...I'll leave it at that for a while and channel efforts and $$ elsewhere, but if there is some serious acceleration to be gained with the bigger gears, I want to head in that direction -- I just don't know how far to go (3.70 -4.56), that's why I'm asking for advice.

I do apprecaite everyones advice! My car has turned out pretty good so far, mostly built on the advice of Forum members over the past 2 years

Mike

For $150 go for it. You will never know unless you try and it is a good deal if the rearend is ok.. I don't cringe at the stoplight drags. I was a dedicated street racer for most of my life. Now I have no interest off the light but I sure do like to run across country. My ideas of fun have changed.
With the big blower sticking through the hood no one bothers me.

Feb 2, 2006 | 10:33 AM

#22

Les

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 11,096

Likes: 990

From: Sierra Foothills CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hvymtlc5

I do apprecaite everyones advice! My car has turned out pretty good so far, mostly built on the advice of Forum members over the past 2 years

Mike

I'm very happy with my 3.55s (they replaced 2.73s so you can imagine how much difference they made) but I don't spend alot of time taking trips. For occasional highway time, cruising back roads and running through the gears they're just right for me. I did plan on running at the strip when I chose them. I turn about 2800 RPMs at 60 MPH and I rarely cruise above 65 anyway. I definitely wouldn't go any lower though- no need with a bigblock.

Feb 2, 2006 | 10:48 AM

#23

vho69

Racer

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 288

Likes: 0

From: Reinholds pa

with the big block you might not need it, but my small block felt like it gained 50 hp, going from 3.08 to 3.55 I love it and I beat the crap out of it

Feb 2, 2006 | 12:17 PM

#24

BKbroiler

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 5,086

Likes: 786

From: Lebanon Township New Jersey

I changed from 3.08 to 3.73 in my car and, after it was all sorted out, it lowered my ET (on street tires) by 5 tenths.

Feb 2, 2006 | 12:27 PM

#25

Hvymtlc5

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 3,472

Likes: 18

From: Lake Ozark, MO

Are the ring and pinion gears for our cars specific? Meaning I can't use 3.55 gears for example out of a Monte Carlo 10 bolt?

Feb 2, 2006 | 12:29 PM

#26

GTR1999

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 15,175

Likes: 3,989

From: Connecticut, USA

Have to be corvette gears only.

Feb 2, 2006 | 01:08 PM

#27

supervett77

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 173

Likes: 0

From: Apple Valley MN

On the street with a 500 hp big block i dont know if it would really matter. Those engines create a lot of torque. If you where going to track that is where youll notice the difference when you have slicks and you can hook better. Somebody else chime in if im worng. but the price sounds like a steal! Your just gonna spin either way

Feb 2, 2006 | 01:17 PM

#28

PureSilver

Racer

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 268

Likes: 0

From: Mechanicsville VA

i chose 3.55s for mine but it is a stick car.

even if you know the seller, check out the case to be certain there are no cracks in it. Even 'only' 500 hp can do some mean things.