All you people with those steep gear ratios! I have 2.73 peg-leg gears in my 12 bolt with a 26" tire and a 700R4. I usually leave it in 3rd around town since I don't care for 750 rpm at 30 mph! I can do 2000 rpm at 80 mph in OD and get better than 20 mpg on the highway.
In all seriousness, I do expect to upgrade to a 3.36 or 3.42 posi unit at some point.
When I drive my Corvette on the highway (3.36 gears 24.5" tall tire) I always reach for one more gear. Running 3500 rpm at 75 mph is fun for the first bit, but after an hour or so it gets pretty deafening, and after a few hours you can get dizzy from the sensory overload. I travel with earplugs on the highway.
Brad Waller ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
'66 Corvette | 327/dead | 4-speed | Wilwood Brakes |
245/45/16 BFG R1
'67 Chevelle | ex-SS396 | 355/700R4 | F-Body
Brakes | 275/40/17 Kumho MX
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 11:30 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Chevelle-list] Re: Ring and Pinion<<I noticed that
Clint had mentioned that 3:73's were a marginal gear for the highway. I guess
what I was wondering was would a numerically lower gear set be a better route
for a cruizer? I would still like a little snap at times but I also dont want
to be running 4500rpm down the highway. I know there are formulas out there but
was wanting personal opinions from people that have cruizers. Let me know what
you think.>>
On the Malibu, I have a 12 bolt posi with 3.73's coupled to a built 200-4R and a 27" tall tire. Around town I keep it in 3rd, for cruising on the highway, I go to overdrive. With the .68 overdrive gear reduction, the 3.73's are reduced to an effective 2.54 ratio. So on the highway @ 70mph, 3rd = 3300rpm, 4th (O/D) = 2200rpm. Is the overdrive worth it? I think so, but you and your wallet will have to decide.
