Help me pick a gear!

[Tonefiend]

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

[MEK-Dangerfield]

3:23 would be my pick. 

[Changin Gears]

2.76, get thoughs R's down

[shadango]

I have 2.76s in my 318 /727/8.75 now and while they are OK, I think I am heading for 3.54s

[Bullitt-]

2:93 near you $150.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/1416283974.html

some others if you care to browse
http://www.searchtempest.com/results.php?Region=na&catname=all+sale%2Fwanted&citySelect=zip&zip=92126&maxDist=250&crossBorder=&showeb=1&showaz=&search_string=mopar+rear&search_string_neg=&keytype=all&category=8&subcat1=ccc&subcat2=eee&subcat3=ggg&subcat4=hhh&subcat5=jjj&subcat6=ppp&subcat7=res&subcat8=sss&subcat9=bbb&addThree3=&minAsk4=min&maxAsk4=max&bedrooms=&minAsk6=min&maxAsk6=max&minAsk8=1&maxAsk8=1000&doa=

[vinb]

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...

[Tonefiend]

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. 

[shadango]

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...??

[4Cruizn]

I think with the 5 speed, 3.55's will work great!   

[dodge freak 2]

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) 

[Tonefiend]

Thanks guys sounds like it's going to work out fine.   I'll try to stay outta jail!

[Bullitt-]

Now you need that $70 speedo pinion

[Tonefiend]

Now you need that $70 speedo pinion

Lucky for me the speedo doesn't work! 

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

[dodge freak 2]

Try Mancini Racing, I got my pinion for about $22 this spring when I got shorter tires. (I run 3.91 gears)

[Tonefiend]

Thanks will do.  Looks like I need a yoke as well as some gasket, seals and bearings.