Rear Gear Ratios
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 478
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From: langhorne
Rear Gear Ratios
can someone explain to me why everyone gets excited about 3.07 gears? Why do guys switch from 2.59's t o3.07's i have a 3.73 rear in my stock 95. NOTHING can beat me off the line, I still get 18 to the gal. and the top speed is still way faster than I want to go. :jester :chevy :auto:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (Gar)
It's all torque curve and HP. If you'll look, the torquey L98 does well with the higher gears, your car is more suited to the taller gears because you don't have the torque output of an L98. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (Gar)
Because when you are putting out 330 ftlb TQ at the wheels (mostly stock) and the TPI chokes at 5k rpm, 3.07 are just about ideal for the L98s. Though I would love to see what some 3.45s would feel like on the L98.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: saluda sc
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (Gar)
Its problably because everyone dont intend to beat everybody off the line they just want to feel the power better but not put their jewel thru more abuse at high speed cruises. for a once in a while burst down the track in some cases once a year or never at all.for me its not worth it to my motor thru it for fear some lesser machine might one day pull up beside me horsing his motor .we both know whos feeling inferior (hint)maybe he horsing it to keep it runng :cheers: :lurk:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (korvettek)
I currently have 3.07's in my '87 (w/ ZF trans) and the last dyno pulls I did (which were prior to head porting) were at the shop MSR used to work at...336 lb-ft at the wheels at 2800 rpm (stock L98 except for 1-5/8" headers). After the first pull, which MSR started at 2000 rpm, we saw how strong the torque was that low and decided to start the second pull at 1500. The car put down 320 lb-ft to the wheels at 1500 rpm on a stock L98. With the power band that low in the motor, you *want* to stay in the lower revs if you can, as you'll be keeping the motor in the power band. Once I fix my CR problem with my new motor tomorrow, we'll see what it does completely fresh with the ported heads (a 1500 rpm launch on 315 Hoosiers with roasted piston rings blew the tires off the car about two months back).
Anyhow, to the person who was wondering about an L98 with 3.45's, I should be able to tell you soon, as I have a set waiting to go in the car.
BTW, what is it with recent Forum motors and getting the wrong pistons? "What part of 10:1 pistons on a 58cc head do you not understand?!?!?!" That's the last time I'll ask a friend to order some parts for me.
Anyhow, to the person who was wondering about an L98 with 3.45's, I should be able to tell you soon, as I have a set waiting to go in the car.
BTW, what is it with recent Forum motors and getting the wrong pistons? "What part of 10:1 pistons on a 58cc head do you not understand?!?!?!" That's the last time I'll ask a friend to order some parts for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (Gar)
IMHO, for an auto trans LT1, 3.73 is the right gear. I have an iron headed LT1 in my 96 Impala, I have a set of 3.73 gears, combine that with a 2400 RPM torque converter and suddenly a 4400lb car is cutting sub 6 second 0-60 times. I run as fast as a stock L98 Vette :)
For L98 Vettes with auto trans, 3.73 gear is a little high, most folks claim 3.07 gears are right for that motor.
I think lots of folks have the the 2.59 gear with their LT1 (stock from the factory) so going all the way to 3.73 is too much to consider, they end up going with the 3.54s, it works but they left a little on the table.
I've never heard of anyone complain the LT1/3.73 gears was too much, everyone that goes with it loves it.
You need a higher stall speed TC if you want to really feel the power of an LT1. TC and gears are the two best mods for any LT1 auto trans Vette, then it's time for a shift kit.
Eric
For L98 Vettes with auto trans, 3.73 gear is a little high, most folks claim 3.07 gears are right for that motor.
I think lots of folks have the the 2.59 gear with their LT1 (stock from the factory) so going all the way to 3.73 is too much to consider, they end up going with the 3.54s, it works but they left a little on the table.
I've never heard of anyone complain the LT1/3.73 gears was too much, everyone that goes with it loves it.
You need a higher stall speed TC if you want to really feel the power of an LT1. TC and gears are the two best mods for any LT1 auto trans Vette, then it's time for a shift kit.
Eric
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (Gar)
can someone explain to me why everyone gets excited about 3.07 gears? Why do guys switch from 2.59's t o3.07's i have a 3.73 rear in my stock 95. NOTHING can beat me off the line, I still get 18 to the gal. and the top speed is still way faster than I want to go. :jester :chevy :auto:
The bottom line is if you have an extremely powerful engine you want a 9:1 Gear Ratio, if the engine is a turd shoot for around 12:1
I can break the tires loose at 50+ mph with just hiting the throttle to ~1/4-1/2 throttle. With 3.73s I would be able to do that at 80+ MPH :D Its kinda foolish.
You question is really dependant on the engine, there is not a blanket answer.
I watched Corkvette in his 3.07 406 at NJ last year, take out and lay two patches of rubber on a fully race prepped track 20' long. And his TC is only in the high 2000's.
:cheers:
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 596
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From: Tollhouse Ca
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (Gar)
Very interesting discussion ...
I'm still leaning towards 3.07s in my 94 A4 because I don't want my engine screaming on long road trips.
I'd love to see some track times with various ratios on the same car. 3.73s may very well have quicker times, but how much quicker? Quick enough for me to justify the extra RPMs at 80 MPH? Inquiring minds want to know :D
I'm still leaning towards 3.07s in my 94 A4 because I don't want my engine screaming on long road trips.
I'd love to see some track times with various ratios on the same car. 3.73s may very well have quicker times, but how much quicker? Quick enough for me to justify the extra RPMs at 80 MPH? Inquiring minds want to know :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Rear Gear Ratios (84FromHell)
Very interesting discussion...
I'd love to see some track times with various ratios on the same car. 3.73s may very well have quicker times, but how much quicker? Quick enough for me to justify the extra RPMs at 80 MPH? Inquiring minds want to know :D
I'd love to see some track times with various ratios on the same car. 3.73s may very well have quicker times, but how much quicker? Quick enough for me to justify the extra RPMs at 80 MPH? Inquiring minds want to know :D
