3.08 gears with a manual trans

limp · Aug 27, 2026

Is anyone running 3:08 gears with a manual trans?? I have a really nice diff with 3:08 gears I would really like to clean up and install in my " not the mustang" using a TKX with a 2:87 first gear.... When I was young 3:08's sucked, but the muncies had either 220 or 284 ( close ratio vs wide ratio) first gears in them....
I know I could get the 3:27 first gear TKX which is probably designed for tall butt gears, but that is not going to happen... I understand this would not be a premium gear for any type of racing but the car will not be tracked or drag raced.. And I do NOT want to have to slip the clutch a bit too much everytime I start the car from and stand still.... I just don't want to hate these gears and have to redo them ( although its not too hard a job removing the Dana 44 from my C4 suspension) ....
Is my 50 year old memory correct or can any of you tell me your 308's are OK??
I get good answers on this website unlike some of the answers I get on " other ' sites, so thanks for letting me ask this "Brand X question" on here....

Noobz347 · Aug 27, 2026

I would not be afraid of 3:27 or even 3:55 gears with a TKX.

How tall are your tires?

nickyb · Aug 27, 2026

My stang was ordered with 308 gears from the factory, last 19 years( minus last ten months )(health) I have driven the outta her. With the t5 in fifth gear I crisis hyway at 70-75 mph and it spins at 2'000 ish rpms.

AeroCoupe · Aug 27, 2026

My T5 had 3.27 first gear and it was almost worthless taking off from a stop with 3.73's in that you went into 2nd gear really quick. The TKX has 2.87 first gear and with the 3.75's it is still pretty quick going into 2nd but nothing like the T5. When I change the rear gears I am very seriously thinking of going to a 3.31 gear set.

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 27, 2026

3.08s aint so bad. Definitely better than 2.73s. Ive had 2.73s so long I really dont feel like changing. Ive had 3.27s new in box(Auburn Locker also) for 20 years(to replace the 2.73s), LAZYNESS AT ITS BEST. For someone who aint racing the clock(1/4 track), factory high strung gears arent bad, AND CALL ME crazy. BUT My buttmeter says high strung gears (3.08/2.73) PULL HARDER ON BIG END.

Noobz347 · Aug 27, 2026

Qtrhrse23 said:
3.08s aint so bad. Definitely better than 2.73s. Ive had 2.73s so long I really dont feel like changing. Ive had 3.27s new in box(Auburn Locker also) for 20 years(to replace the 2.73s), LAZYNESS AT ITS BEST. For someone who aint racing the clock(1/4 track), factory high strung gears arent bad, AND CALL ME crazy. BUT My buttmeter says high strung gears (3.08/2.73) PULL HARDER ON BIG END.

They absolutely do and there's also something to be said for staying [in power] longer in a gear.

General karthief · Aug 27, 2026

Some of it will depend on the actual weight, that said if you get the engine setup with good low end torque numbers you'll be ok.

limp · Aug 28, 2026

Thanks everyone for the reply's..
Probably 26" tires.. My mistake, as said above first is 2.87, not 2.89... Power will be a stock LS1 w/345 HP..... I read about a formula where you muliply the rear gears by first gear and around 9.1 is a good place.. Mine came to 8.9.. I think I am going to give it a shot..
Here is Brand X project for those who are curious...

limp · Aug 28, 2026

Noobz347 said:
I would not be afraid of 3:27 or even 3:55 gears with a TKX.

How tall are your tires?

Here is my dilemma.. The Dana 44 I am using (from the 85 parts car) is called the Dana 44HD.. It was used in Manual C4 corvettes and Dodge vipers.. Regular Dana 44 gears will not work in the HD pumpkin........ For some reason the 3.45 and 3.54 gears are just non existent.. LOTS of 3.08, 373, 390, 4.11 and 4.56 gears for sale ( new aftermarket) but the 3.45 and 354 ( which would be my pick) are just not being produced for some reason... Motive had a 3.54 ring and pinion set " call for availability" at $1200.. Not gonna happen...
3.73's would be fun, but around 2500 rpm at 70 is a bit higher than I want to cruise at and this is the guesstimate with an OD TKX.. I might want to go to " cruise the gulf" or Carlysle.
Its a phobia.... In High School I had a Dodge Super Bee with the 440 Six pack engine and it had 4.11 gears with a 4 speed manual.. I hated that rear end... I could not go anywhere.. But I digress here....
I am going to clean up the 3.08 rear that came out of my donor car and install it... It seems to be in very nice shape internally or it would get a rebuild.... If it doesn't work, I can always change it later... I am too old to dilly dally if I want to Live to drive it... Thanks again all

keel · Aug 28, 2026

I'm also running the stock 2.73 gear ratio with a T5. It's awesome for highway cruising, I can do 75mph at ~1800 RPM and get pretty good fuel economy. But yeah doing WOT pulls it feels like I'm in 2nd and 3rd gear for an eternity and you'd better be careful if you want to get all the way through 3rd and into 4th because you'll be doing straight to jail levels of speed.

Well worth the compromise for me personally since I do a lot of long distances on the highway.

fasterthangas · Aug 28, 2026

3.73 - 4.10 gears all day long. I'm not familiar with the LS power band but I like to keep my engine in that range. Lugging a car around is no fun and the engine doesn't like it. These are sports cars after all. JMHO.

limp · Aug 28, 2026

fasterthangas said:
3.73 - 4.10 gears all day long. I'm not familiar with the LS power band but I like to keep my engine in that range. Lugging a car around is no fun and the engine doesn't like it. These are sports cars after all. JMHO.

LOL... I have bad dreams still of the 4.11 geared Dodge Super Bee I Had in HIgh school.. 440 Six Pack car ( Sure would like to by it back for the $700 I sold it for in 74) with a 4 speed... I will NEVER have a car geared like that ever again, Unless its a trailered Jeep or Race car.....

fasterthangas · Aug 28, 2026

limp said:
LOL... I have bad dreams still of the 4.11 geared Dodge Super Bee I Had in HIgh school.. 440 Six Pack car ( Sure would like to by it back for the $700 I sold it for in 74) with a 4 speed... I will NEVER have a car geared like that ever again, Unless its a trailered Jeep or Race car.....

You didn't have overdrive. Big difference.

limp · Aug 28, 2026

fasterthangas said:
You didn't have overdrive. Big difference.

Better but not a huge difference with low gears... maybe with a 6 speed with .5 OD....

fasterthangas · Aug 28, 2026

.68 OD for me with TKX and 4.10 gears.

Big difference between that and my 66 F100 with 4.11 gears and C6.

limp · Aug 28, 2026

fasterthangas said:
.68 OD for me with TKX and 4.10 gears.

Big difference between that and my 66 F100 with 4.11 gears and C6.

What rpm does your car run at 70 MPH?

nickyb · Aug 28, 2026

limp said:
Better but not a huge difference with low gears... maybe with a 6 speed with .5 OD....

I set up
My 72 Monte Carlo with 411 gears in a twelve bolt with moroso.carrier and Moser axles. The 700 r4 with lock up.converter made it a daily driver( for me anyway)

Potomus Pete · Aug 28, 2026

nickyb said:
I set up
My 72 Monte Carlo with 411 gears in a twelve bolt with moroso.carrier and Moser axles. The 700 r4 with lock up.converter made it a daily driver( for me anyway)

I cant believe you have a 72 Monte Carlo. Such a nice car.

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 28, 2026

Hmmm, LS1 huh?? I myself BECAME a GM fan when they released that badboy in the 98 Z28. Yea I know 97 in Vette, but couldnt afford one.

Bought a 98 Z28 6 speed (Green Metallic/Chrome Wheels) in Nov 97 for $22000. Way cheaper than a Cobra. Made 305RWHP 330RWTQ showroom stock. Killed many a Vette/LT slow F body/4.6 Cobra in that car. X wife got it in divorce. Damn I MISS HER(THE CAR).

The LS1 is SUPER SMOOTH. Really cant tell its that fast. BUT THE VORTECH equipped Fox that I smoked at the 1998 FFW in ENNIS told me different.

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 28, 2026

As far as dyno numbers, I remember it starting at 300lbs/2300 rpm. Torque is flat. Ill dig up my dyno sheet if I remember. Its DUSTY/ANCIENT.

3.08 gears with a manual trans

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

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I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

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Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

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wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Active Member

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

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wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots

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