3.55 vs. 3.73... Speed difference??

94GTPilot

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Mar 26, 2006
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I was interested in getting a set of gears, and a bit hesitant about going to 3.73 with the price of gas, as I drive on the freeway a lot. Just how much faster in the 1/4 are 3.73s compared to 3.55?:shrug:
 
Mine's about the same - 20-21 MPG on the highway @ 70mph, which is just about 2400 rpms. I get about 18 in the city, and thats driving it pretty hard most of the time :D HOWEVER: I have read that the speedometer gear is the same for the 3.55's and the 3.73's, and its correct for the 3.55's. That means, with a bit of simple math, that if your speedo says your going 70mph, its more like 66mph (with 3.73's installed). Not a big difference, but something to think about.
Bottom line: a must-have mod for the SOTP feel, for not too much chedda.
 
I'm also interested in putting some gears in my car but don't want too steep of a gear for the F/I. My next planned set of mods are an Edelbrock Performer RPM, AFR 165s and a custom cam, would you guys say 373s, 355s, or something else?
 
HGFireHazard said:
I'm also interested in putting some gears in my car but don't want too steep of a gear for the F/I. My next planned set of mods are an Edelbrock Performer RPM, AFR 165s and a custom cam, would you guys say 373s, 355s, or something else?

I would say 4.10s. Do not fear more gear. Like Grady said, more smiles to the miles.

I bet if you ask your cam grinder, he's going to suggest 4.10s for that combo.

Adam
 
I have read that the speedometer gear is the same for the 3.55's and the 3.73's, and its correct for the 3.55's.

I would not do the speedometer gear swap. Spend the money on a SpeedCal and do it right. It will also allow you to adjust for tire size and ring an pinion. I went from 3.08 to 3.73 and used the speedcal and it was dead on when I checked it with my GPS.
 
1TallMF: 18 in the city?!?! And you push it hard?!?! Wow, I get a little more than 200 miles/tank, and that's driving it pretty easy... Do you know what can kill milage like that? My motor is stock, 170,000 miles, flowmaster exhaust, o/r h pipe..

final5-0: 150 rpm, huh? That's almost nothing.. I have a whine coming from what I think is the rear end, and when I do my entire clutch system taken care of over the weekend, I am going to have a buddy check out the rear end with me.. I have a feeling I may have to replace the gears? and why buy stock when you can upgrade?? Don't you hate it when a stock part goes by the wayside?? haha, upgrade time!!
 
VooDooChild said:
I would not do the speedometer gear swap. Spend the money on a SpeedCal and do it right.

The previous owner put those gears in about 2 years ago, so I don't know what was done with the speedometer. Had I done it, I would most likely do the speedcal. All I know is my speed appears to be correct :shrug: