Rear End Ratio ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,351
Likes: 8,158
From: Napa Valley California
After all the comments, I'm going to keep the 454 and TH400 because I don't want to modify the frame to install the 700r4 trans, and I'll just replace my 3.36 gears with a set of 3.08's.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Apr 7, 2016 at 07:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,188
Likes: 1,670
From: Long Island
S. S. T. Silver Sport makes a kit with / for the overdrive transmissions that fit perfectly .
My feeling is that if you are going to do a lot of driving - go with the overdrive for the lower RPM, gas mileage and quitter car.
If not enjoy the car and have fun with it.
Back in 1969 through 72, my friends father drove from L.I.N.Y. to Texas every year in his 1968 or 69 corvette with a 427 -400 and 4 speed. He would not fly, his job required the trip .. I just think he wanted to drive his car...
He drove it to work every day -
My feeling is that if you are going to do a lot of driving - go with the overdrive for the lower RPM, gas mileage and quitter car.
If not enjoy the car and have fun with it.
Back in 1969 through 72, my friends father drove from L.I.N.Y. to Texas every year in his 1968 or 69 corvette with a 427 -400 and 4 speed. He would not fly, his job required the trip .. I just think he wanted to drive his car...
He drove it to work every day -
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,640
Likes: 121
From: Farragut,TN
I have a Jaguar v12 6.1 with a gm400 xmission it has a 2.81 rear end in it. car runs smooth but really what are you trying to get out of your car. If mileage on highway or in town forget about it that car at best gets 14.1 with computer control and sequential injection.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
I have a Jaguar v12 6.1 with a gm400 xmission it has a 2.81 rear end in it. car runs smooth but really what are you trying to get out of your car. If mileage on highway or in town forget about it that car at best gets 14.1 with computer control and sequential injection.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,351
Likes: 8,158
From: Napa Valley California
LOL... LOL...So, I was driving my 2014 Chevy 4X4 pickup last night and was cruising down Hwy 80 at 70 mph. I glanced over at my tachometer and noticed it was reading 1,800 rpm. I'm running a factory stock 5.3 litter vortex, which delivers more HP than the stock 454 in my Corvette, a 6 speed auto trans, 3.48 gears and it delivers 22 mpg. I can drive it in comfort for long distance and pull tree stumps out of the ground in 4X4 low. My point is that I want to build my Corvette for pleasure. I want to take it to shows, cruise in comfort, and enjoy the "thrill" of driving a "classic". If I wanted fuel economy I would purchase a prius. If I wanted a race car for the road that would drive circles around anyone else's Corvette, I would build a Factory Five Racing Type 65 Daytona Coupe. I will research the S.S.T. kit for the overdrive transmission because it appears that will give me exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
LOL... LOL...So, I was driving my 2014 Chevy 4X4 pickup last night and was cruising down Hwy 80 at 70 mph. I glanced over at my tachometer and noticed it was reading 1,800 rpm. I'm running a factory stock 5.3 litter vortex, which delivers more HP than the stock 454 in my Corvette, a 6 speed auto trans, 3.48 gears and it delivers 22 mpg. I can drive it in comfort for long distance and pull tree stumps out of the ground in 4X4 low. My point is that I want to build my Corvette for pleasure. I want to take it to shows, cruise in comfort, and enjoy the "thrill" of driving a "classic". If I wanted fuel economy I would purchase a prius. If I wanted a race car for the road that would drive circles around anyone else's Corvette, I would build a Factory Five Racing Type 65 Daytona Coupe. I will research the S.S.T. kit for the overdrive transmission because it appears that will give me exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again guys.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
LOL... LOL...So, I was driving my 2014 Chevy 4X4 pickup last night and was cruising down Hwy 80 at 70 mph. I glanced over at my tachometer and noticed it was reading 1,800 rpm. I'm running a factory stock 5.3 litter vortex, which delivers more HP than the stock 454 in my Corvette, a 6 speed auto trans, 3.48 gears and it delivers 22 mpg. I can drive it in comfort for long distance and pull tree stumps out of the ground in 4X4 low. My point is that I want to build my Corvette for pleasure. I want to take it to shows, cruise in comfort, and enjoy the "thrill" of driving a "classic". If I wanted fuel economy I would purchase a prius. If I wanted a race car for the road that would drive circles around anyone else's Corvette, I would build a Factory Five Racing Type 65 Daytona Coupe. I will research the S.S.T. kit for the overdrive transmission because it appears that will give me exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again guys.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,188
Likes: 1,670
From: Long Island
I turn 2000 at 80 with my 71, it makes the car quiet for cruses, and the other half likes it. The 5 speed also has a slightly lower 1st so there is a fun factor there.
The motor will also last a lot longer....
What I liked about the SST kit was there was no cutting and I can go back to original with a set of wrenches. They send you a new driveshaft.. The shifter is original looking and in the original location.
Now if fixing the rest of the car was that easy ....maybe a wrap..
The motor will also last a lot longer....
What I liked about the SST kit was there was no cutting and I can go back to original with a set of wrenches. They send you a new driveshaft.. The shifter is original looking and in the original location.
Now if fixing the rest of the car was that easy ....maybe a wrap..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 943
Likes: 73
LOL... LOL...So, I was driving my 2014 Chevy 4X4 pickup last night and was cruising down Hwy 80 at 70 mph. I glanced over at my tachometer and noticed it was reading 1,800 rpm. I'm running a factory stock 5.3 litter vortex, which delivers more HP than the stock 454 in my Corvette, a 6 speed auto trans, 3.48 gears and it delivers 22 mpg. I can drive it in comfort for long distance and pull tree stumps out of the ground in 4X4 low. My point is that I want to build my Corvette for pleasure. I want to take it to shows, cruise in comfort, and enjoy the "thrill" of driving a "classic". If I wanted fuel economy I would purchase a prius. If I wanted a race car for the road that would drive circles around anyone else's Corvette, I would build a Factory Five Racing Type 65 Daytona Coupe. I will research the S.S.T. kit for the overdrive transmission because it appears that will give me exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again guys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
IMO you will notice a slight lag bouncing thru traffic between 20-45 mph with the 3.08 The engine would be a little over idle after the shift in that speed range. Many years ago it was suggested to drive some of the highway geared cars is S super or second in town. The car was peppy but 13.1 turned into about 8mpg. I don't like the gear spacing in 700r4 3.06-1.68 but the mount is in about the same location as a 400. Swapping if would not be to bad
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
[QUOTE=BLUE1972;1591949756]S. S. T. Silver Sport makes a kit with / for the overdrive transmissions that fit perfectly .
For curiousity sake, I checked with SST Trans for an overdrive trans kit... what they sell is a 4l60E. basically an electronic 700r4.. $5600.00..... not including a controller...another $1000.. pretty steep..considering I didn t spend $2000 total on mine
For curiousity sake, I checked with SST Trans for an overdrive trans kit... what they sell is a 4l60E. basically an electronic 700r4.. $5600.00..... not including a controller...another $1000.. pretty steep..considering I didn t spend $2000 total on mine
Last edited by fishslayer143; Apr 14, 2016 at 08:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,446
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
All this talk of issues running a 3.08 gear in any GM V8, small or big block, and having drivability problems is total nonsense. Just about any V8 has more than sufficient torque to operate perfectly fine, auto or a manual, with 3.08's. Yes, there are some difference in performance between a 3.08 and 3.36/3.55 but by no means drastic. Small 4 cylinder engines with low torque are much more sensitive to gear ratios. I had a 73 Nova for years in the late 70'sthrough 1990 that had a 355 with a mild cam, 9:1 compression, turbo 350 auto, and that car would fry the tires off the line, drive perfectly fine in any gear at any speed with zero drivability issues. Example #2: 1988 Mustang LX 5.0 V8 with a 5 speed and steep OD with a 2.73 gear. Again, that car would fry the tires off the line and exhibited ZERO drivability issues with a V8, 225 Net HP, and a 2.73 gear. If you are looking for maximum performance from the car than rear gears matter but all this talk about drivability issues with a BB454 with loads of talk is nonsense....
Last edited by jb78L-82; Apr 14, 2016 at 09:27 PM.
