Gear Ratio Recommendations

69PaleHorse · May 27, 2004

I checked the ratio on my 8" and I have 3.00:1 gears. Now, I don't exactly light up the pavement around here...but my car is going more restomod and custom than high performance(if that makes sense). With my C4 it revs about 3300 on the highway, which is terrible on my gas mileage; however, I am not sure that I want to mess with the gearing.

Recommendations? I do not ever plan to race it or take it to the track, but like everyone, power is addicting. What do you suggest to strike a balance between performance and driveability?

allcarfan · May 27, 2004

you cruise at 3300...at what MPH? 70-80? I think someone told me a while ago they cruise at 3200 with a 370 or 389 gear in a C4.

Id suggest a 3.50

69PaleHorse · May 27, 2004

I suppose I should have clarified at what MPH, hehe. Yes, at about 70-75, which seems to be a little less than the normal flow of traffic here on crazy Southern Cali freeways.

Max Power · May 27, 2004

If you want performance improvement and yet maintain reasonable rpms at 75mph, you should go overdrive. here is a handy link for an rpm conversion chart:

http://www.drivetrainsuperstores.com/calculate.asp

69PaleHorse · May 27, 2004

Max Power said:
If you want performance improvement and yet maintain reasonable rpms at 75mph, you should go overdrive. here is a handy link for an rpm conversion chart:

http://www.drivetrainsuperstores.com/calculate.asp

Say, that's a nice little calculator! Thanks!

69 302/351c · May 27, 2004

I've got 3:55s in my 69/302 and it is too much for highway cruising...34-3500 rpm gets to you after a while. May go down to a 3:25..but I must remember
my 2500 stall converter.

In my 69/351c, I have a 3:00 and that suits me just right with that motor.

ratio411 · May 27, 2004

Wow, folks don't like crusing with 3.00 gears?!?

I must be getting old...
I remember having a blast on the interstate with 4.11 gears!

I also remember gas was .79 cents a gallon...

mustangdave · May 27, 2004

There is also the Gear Vendors Overdirve unit that will give you six gears, including overdrive, with your C4! Don't ask about the price though....

6Stang7 · May 27, 2004

If you want decent MPG then stay away from the 4.11's. I only spin about 2600 on the freeway going like 75mph, but that is with the aid of OD from the T-5. I get about 8-9 mpg now, but I would expect that to go up a good amount if I drove it a little more civililized (still havent had enough of 4.11's + T-5 + a fast reving motor ). Also, notice I said fast reving motor. If you get low gears like 4.11's, you better have a motor that like to whined up fast, or else you'll have a Mustang that can pull like a dumptruck.

ratio411 · May 27, 2004

Just a feeble attempt at self deprocating humor.

BTW: My Z runs 2000 rpm at 80 mph!

10secgoal · May 27, 2004

That is something I don't miss about So Cal. I used to get flown by all the time. They don't like cars doing 50-55. And that's at 3000-3200. 3.80 gears

6Stang7 · May 27, 2004

ratio411 said:
Just a feeble attempt at self deprocating humor.

BTW: My Z runs 2000 rpm at 80 mph!

If you meant self deprecating humor, then no, I did not mean that at all. What I am saying is that you need to get gears to match your engine set up, otherwise it is a waste.

65fastback2+2 · May 27, 2004

your 3.00 should run about 2600 on a c4 at 70mph, i dunno why its revving so high

brianj5600 · May 27, 2004

ratio411 said:
Wow, folks don't like crusing with 3.00 gears?!?

I must be getting old...
I remember having a blast on the interstate with 4.11 gears!

I also remember gas was .79 cents a gallon...

And the speed limit was 55!!

ratio411 · May 27, 2004

What's a "speed limit"?

65fastback2+2 · May 27, 2004

ratio411 said:
What's a "speed limit"?

in this case, the max speed your car would achieve

69PaleHorse · May 28, 2004

65fastback2+2 said:
your 3.00 should run about 2600 on a c4 at 70mph, i dunno why its revving so high

Well, RPM's would be directly affected by wheel size, yes? I have 255/40/17's which put the diameter at about 29. According to that handy calculator linked above, I should be revving around 3025 at 75 MPH with that size tire and 3.00:1 gears...

ratio411 · May 28, 2004

65fastback2+2 said:
in this case, the max speed your car would achieve

Are you insinuating that my car would only go 55 mph with 4.11 gears and 25" tall tires?

Well I'll have you know that by spinning to 9k rpm, I could top 62 mph!

J/K
Can we hijack this thread any worse!?!
Sorry,
Dave

Vinyl66 · May 28, 2004

69PaleHorse said:
Well, RPM's would be directly affected by wheel size, yes? I have 255/40/17's which put the diameter at about 29. According to that handy calculator linked above, I should be revving around 3025 at 75 MPH with that size tire and 3.00:1 gears...

That RPM should be about right but your tire diameter is only 25".

Max Power · May 28, 2004

That link has a tire height calculator too.

Wheel height dosn't effect anything, tire height does.

Gear Ratio Recommendations

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