Author Topic: Help me pick a gear!  (Read 1481 times)

Offline Tonefiend

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Help me pick a gear!
« on: October 27, 2009 - 04:04:51 AM »
Need to replace the hogs head in my 8-3/4  <read my other posts in this section>   

318 challenger auto trans.  So Cal freeway and around town driving, so fuel economy is a concern.  Down the road in a few years I will be adding a big block and 5 speed, at which point I have no reservations about changing gears. 

What would be a good gear ratio?  Thinking a stock 3.23





Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2009 - 05:08:54 AM »
3:23 would be my pick. 

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Changin Gears

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2009 - 08:09:26 AM »
2.76, get thoughs R's down


The goal never changes - Stop the 60' timer with your back tires

Offline shadango

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2009 - 09:01:57 AM »
I have 2.76s in my 318 /727/8.75 now and while they are OK, I think I am heading for 3.54s


Offline vinb

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2009 - 04:51:23 PM »
Don't know what size tire you have in the back, but a 3.23 will be your best average gear for all round purpose...

Offline Tonefiend

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2009 - 10:11:30 PM »
I scored one locally off CL that is 3.55 non rebuildable type sure grip.  3.23 is in there now so I am going to sacrifice some freeway driveability. 

Offline shadango

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2009 - 09:39:30 AM »
WHy do youthink you will be sacrificing freeway?

Did you check out the RPM/gear ratio calculator, stickied at thetop of this forum?

Seems like the RPms arent that far off between 2.76s and 3.55s...??

Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2009 - 10:56:55 AM »
I think with the 5 speed, 3.55's will work great!   :grinyes:

Offline dodge freak 2

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2009 - 06:28:27 PM »
3.55 are great gears but your mpg will drop.

It depends how you look at sacrificing freeway driving. Sure the motor will be spinning 3000 to 4000 rpms while on the freeway (at least it would for me, lol) My little 318 with MP 360 heads can rev clean to 6500 rpms...so with a 3.55 gear your top speed would be around 130 mph (fast enough to get a ticket to jail) 

Offline Tonefiend

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2009 - 11:45:01 PM »
Thanks guys sounds like it's going to work out fine.   I'll try to stay outta jail!

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2009 - 08:34:36 AM »
Now you need that $70 speedo pinion
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline Tonefiend

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2009 - 12:41:04 PM »
Now you need that $70 speedo pinion

Lucky for me the speedo doesn't work!  :woo:

Come to think of it there is not much that does.   :bricks1:

Offline dodge freak 2

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2009 - 10:18:30 PM »
Try Mancini Racing, I got my pinion for about $22 this spring when I got shorter tires. (I run 3.91 gears)

Offline Tonefiend

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Re: Help me pick a gear!
« Reply #14 on: October 30, 2009 - 12:48:12 AM »
Thanks will do.  Looks like I need a yoke as well as some gasket, seals and bearings.