which gearing to get best 0-60 time

[70cuda440]

I was just watching what's my car worth and they showed a 70 superbird with a 440 and quoted the 0-60 time as 5.9 sec. I'm putting a built 451 4spd in my 70 cuda and right now it still has the original 489 non-posi axle. Before I start ordering parts, I was hoping to get some advice on the best gearing and stock fitting tires/rim sizes to get the best 0-60 times and still have a decent all around setup

[aris_unlimited]

I am planning on going with a 5 speed for my cuda when the time comes. Giving me a 0.65 gearing for 5th (so far might change my mind on transmission). And with the size tires I will be running (295/50-15) on the back, 4.10:1 gears will keep me at just a little over 2k rpms when I am at 65. So decent mileage (hopefully), and awesome acceleration from the bottom gears.

[70cuda440]

My gen2 viper gets 0-60 in 4 sec and it has 450hp with 335/18 tires out back and it'll do 12's in the quarter. There is nothing more I love than racing all comers from light to light. I have a pretty good record except for the bullet bikes that will always punch it with me at the line- either way its a hoot and I love muscle cars. I'm guessing the hardest part will be getting the power to the ground in the cuda

[422STROKER]

Tires and suspension.

Even with 3.23's and smallish 235/60/15 Dradials my car goes High 12's in the 1/4 mile.  I'd think with a 451 BB you'll be fine with the 0-60 times.

I found this calculator for 0-60 times based on 1/8 mile times and it says my car gets there in  3.96  I doubt it's that fast but got to be in the ballpark I'd guess.  Probably in the low to mid 4's I'd guess.

http://www.wallaceracing.com/0-60_equation.php

Tom

[Bullitt-]

Is this car ever to be highway driven? If so consider the final drive RPMs, I doubt you would enjoy a long trip turning 3-4K 

[70cuda440]

That would be great if my cuda could beat the viper in 0-60. Honestly the viper is underpowered stock and unless I pop the clutch or flick the steering wheel to break the grip on the rear tires, I cant get it to burn rubber from a stand still. Probably could use another 100 hp.

For the cuda, I'm hoping to keep the gearing right at that point where I can burn rubber just by stabbing the gas pedal, but not so low gearing that the highway driving is out of the question. I won't be driving it long distances, mainly for cruise nights on surface streets. Sounds like a 3.5 or so ratio with 16's and posi is about all I need to make that 451 burn rubber

[Road_Runner]

I am planning on going with a 5 speed for my cuda when the time comes. Giving me a 0.65 gearing for 5th (so far might change my mind on transmission). And with the size tires I will be running (295/50-15) on the back, 4.10:1 gears will keep me at just a little over 2k rpms when I am at 65. So decent mileage (hopefully), and awesome acceleration from the bottom gears.

That is exactly the combo I'm putting in my Roadrunner.  I already have the 4.10 Dana and am seriously looking at the Passon 5 Speed or going with an 18 Spline Mopar 4 speed and adding a Gear Vendors O/D unit.  Which trans are you looking at & why?

Later, Jim

[shadango]

<snip> unless I pop the clutch or flick the steering wheel to break the grip on the rear tires, I cant get it to burn rubber from a stand still. Probably could use another 100 hp.

For the cuda, I'm hoping to keep the gearing right at that point where I can burn rubber just by stabbing the gas pedal, but not so low gearing that the highway driving is out of the question. I won't be driving it long distances, mainly for cruise nights on surface streets. Sounds like a 3.5 or so ratio with 16's and posi is about all I need to make that 451 burn rubber

I have been thinking about this sort of thing a lot lately.

My 318 is massaged and runs great up top as she winds up...but even with my recent change to 3.55s from 2.76 I cant "stab the gas and burn rubber"....

Same as you, thinking I need more HP.  I can power brake and get the rear to squeal a bit but that Trutrac really grabs and nothing spins......car just GOES.   Clearly I need more power to break them lose if that was a goal.....

But still, wouldnt you want to gear as close to "stabbing it/burning rubber" as possible but just stopping short of that?  If you are spinning tires, you aren't accelerating.....   

[aris_unlimited]

That is exactly the combo I'm putting in my Roadrunner.  I already have the 4.10 Dana and am seriously looking at the Passon 5 Speed or going with an 18 Spline Mopar 4 speed and adding a Gear Vendors O/D unit.  Which trans are you looking at & why?

Later, Jim

So far the Tremec TKO 600 is the plan, but that is a ways away. And the new RS 5 speed might be made available in a kit by then, if so I will go with that one. I picked the tremec for now because of cost, and availability. If the RS gets an install kit by the time I am ready to install, then I will go with that one because it should be more reliable and just as available. And I believe the cost will be similar.

I would not go with a passon because they are way, way overpriced in my opinion. They might work out fine for someone that is just swapping from a stock 4 speed to a 5 speed because you wouldn't need a conversion kit. But my car was originally an auto and with the price for a conversion kit added in, it makes it too expensive.

[Road_Runner]

So far the Tremec TKO 600 is the plan, but that is a ways away. And the new RS 5 speed might be made available in a kit by then, if so I will go with that one. I picked the tremec for now because of cost, and availability. If the RS gets an install kit by the time I am ready to install, then I will go with that one because it should be more reliable and just as available. And I believe the cost will be similar.

I would not go with a passon because they are way, way overpriced in my opinion. They might work out fine for someone that is just swapping from a stock 4 speed to a 5 speed because you wouldn't need a conversion kit. But my car was originally an auto and with the price for a conversion kit added in, it makes it too expensive.

Not familiar with the RS unit you mention.  Like yours, the Roadrunner was originally a column shifted auto but I switched columns years ago when I went with a B&M floor shifter so that's done.  Since then I've already installed 4 speed pedals, have an original hump, bell housing, shifter (if I use it), z bar, etc.  About the only thing I don't have is the clutch & throw out bearing so yeah I'm not really needing a kit which is why the Passon unit may be the one for me.  I plan on a lot of HP & TQ so whatever I choose it will have to be stout.

Later, Jim

[aris_unlimited]

http://www.keislerauto.com/recent-news/keisler-t45-rs-5-speed-for-gm-ford-a-mopar-classic-cars.html

Little bit of info on the RS 5 speed here.

[Cooter]

First off, a "Built" 451 and a 4-speed and a good 60 ft. time don't belong in the same sentence. 4 gears have to actually HOOK and i doubt you are ready to break that "489" casing rearend, and ALOT of other parts.

[Road_Runner]

First off, a "Built" 451 and a 4-speed and a good 60 ft. time don't belong in the same sentence. 4 gears have to actually HOOK and i doubt you are ready to break that "489" casing rearend, and ALOT of other parts.

As much as I'd like to keep the original 8 3/4 in the car, I've already picked up a 4.10 Dana out of a 69 B body.  That and some sticky street tires on back and it should hook up decently.  I know an auto is going to be easier to go faster out of the hole, but I'm going manual for the fun of it regardless.

[70cuda440]

Cooter are you saying that the 451, a833 4speed with a 489 rear is not strong enough? This is the advice that can help me now so please elaborate a bit - my car is stripped and I have all the pieces ready to go in as soon as it comes back from paint, but if that drivetrain is weak I'd rather wait and get what I need - bear in mind I'm on a budget so brand new high dollar axles and tranny's would be nice but not really gonna happen - Maybe some cromoly pieces and ccm Ujoints like I use on my rock crawler?

[Cooter]

Cooter are you saying that the 451, a833 4speed with a 489 rear is not strong enough? This is the advice that can help me now so please elaborate a bit - my car is stripped and I have all the pieces ready to go in as soon as it comes back from paint, but if that drivetrain is weak I'd rather wait and get what I need - bear in mind I'm on a budget so brand new high dollar axles and tranny's would be nice but not really gonna happen - Maybe some cromoly pieces and ccm Ujoints like I use on my rock crawler?

First off, there is no "Magic" formula to give you the best 60 ft. time, best cruising rpm, best fuel mileage, and basically, the best of both worlds as far as gearing the rearend goes...You either want it to set the track on fire, or you want to cruise it...This is where you need to make up your mind cause the Dana 60 you will need does NOT lend itself to gear swaps as easily as that 8 3/4...In order to get ANY kind of 60 ft. out a 4 speed car, you will need to do more than worry bout the rear gear..In an auto car, you have the torque converter, first gear in trans, and the rearend gear working for you....In a 4-speed car, all you have is first gear in the trans and the rearend gear working for you...A sh*tload of trial and error traction aids will have to be implemented. No, this isn't as easy as one might think it is....Oh sure, some will try and tell you that running the 5-speed set up is the best way to go..I disagree here. We ran one of these "Tremec" 5-speeds in the Mustang for about 5 passes under full power. It was in a bucket when power shifted. They Will NOT last under brutal drag racing conditions. They are meant to TRY and give the best of both worlds, but with the super low first gear in the street version, one has the dreaded "Dumptruck" syndrome to deal with taking off from dead stops. There is another trans with a higher first gear ratio, but the Overdrive ratio is not quite as tall...Good luck...