I am in the process of putting all the stock pieces back into my 70 SS. The trans that came with it when I bought is a M22, and the rear end is currently set up with 4.10's. I want to replace these with the 3.31's it came with, and my question is: Will the high first gear ratio (2.20) work with these gears? Will the car seem like you are starting off in 2nd all the time? Or should I dump the M22 and find a M20. The M22 is not original so it adds nothing to the value of the car. Thanks
Steve

You will like the car a whole lot more with the 3.31 gears than the 4.10's although it WILL feel like taking off in second. Although once you get rolling you can go for a long time in first without shifting, over 60 mph by 6000 rpms. If you have to take off on really steep hills very often you need a lower first gear.

Depending on your camshaft, you will need to slip the clutch a bit more and use a few more revs but should not be much of an issue with big block torque especially if you have very little cam (i.e. lots of low end torque, take offs should be easy especially with a heavier flywheel).

I have a 72 Corvette LT1 (only 350 cubes and very little low end torque) with close ratio 2.20 low and 3.73 gears and it likes the rev's over 2000 on takeoff while continuing to feed in the gas pedal. Basically works out to 60 mph in first, 80 in second, 100 in third and 120 in fourth at 6500 revs.

A wide ratio muncie with 2.52 first gear would be much preferable if you have a choice.

A super T10 with an even lower first gear is even better.

Anyway you already have the 2.20 low tranny in the car so change gears give it a try and see what you think, then decide if you need a change.

I am in the process of putting all the stock pieces back into my 70 SS. The trans that came with it when I bought is a M22, and the rear end is currently set up with 4.10's. I want to replace these with the 3.31's it came with, and my question is: Will the high first gear ratio (2.20) work with these gears? Will the car seem like you are starting off in 2nd all the time? Or should I dump the M22 and find a M20. The M22 is not original so it adds nothing to the value of the car. Thanks
Steve

We just did a '71 Chevelle SS 454 and the car had an M22 with a 3.31:1. The customer did not like the combination.

He wanted the M22 rebuilt and a set of 3.90:1 gears but, we did one better for him. We installed the new M22W with the 2.56:1 1st. This M22W will seem as if his Chevelle has the feel of a 3.85:1 rear pulling out in 1st gear compared the the M22 with a 2.20:1. The 3.85:1 1st gear feel eliminated the rear gear change.

The formula:

new trans gear (times) rear ratio (divided by) original tran gear = 1st gear feel
2.56 x 3.31 (divided by) 2.20 = 3.85

You could also go for the M22W gearset in your existing Muncie.

hey I have a 2.52 first gear wide ratio muncie, I'll trade ya for the M22 :)

I have that exact combination,also comming from the 411s and the car is definitely more docile but still plenty fast from the dig still. If I were more interested in racing the car at the track and still being able to use it on the street,I might go for 355s, but atlas Im just a street player type. I completely enjoy this setup and Im happy with my choice. Oh I have just over 500 plus hp,so relatively tame. And to cruise at 60+ mph and not even close to 2600-2800 rpms is a plus.

My 331's with m20 & 26inch tall tires pulls approx 2575-2600 rpms @ 60mph,my prior 307 gear pulled 2450 @ 60mph.

Scott

And to cruise at 60+ mph and not even close to 2600-2800 rpms is a plus.
3.31's compared to 3.55's make that much differents? I have 3.55's and cruise approx. 2900 at 60 if my speedo is correct, that with 255-60 tires. Wouldn't mind the 3.31's lower are rpm, but like the 3.55's.

I have the CR M22 with 4.10's and would lke to swap in the M22 wide ratio gears. Even with the 4.10's I still like the wide ratio gears for that 1,2,3 snap. The perfect gear for the M22 CR are with 4.56 gears. So like everyone says, go with the M20 or M22 wide ratio trannys if you keep the 3.31 gears.
Listen to my M22 sounds of my tranny in my 70 Z/28 and you'll want the screaming noise.

I hadn't thought about the M22 wide ratio gear set, sounds like that may be the hot set up. Thanks

I have a 406 with a pretty big cam in my T/A, I have a 2.43 first gear with 3.23 posi, with 29" tires. If you have lots of torque you will be fine. I can probably hit 50 in first and close to 90 in second. I think you will be ok. It is kind of tough trying to go 5mph through a parking lot.

That combo really isn't bad. I had a 70 Malibu with an L48 350, M21 and 3.31 gears. It was very drivable with no problems taking off. With your big blocks torque normal street driving shouldn't be a problem.

Great all around combo .... Yes it might be nice every now and then to have a little more pickup out of the gate but then with the torque from my 402, I would probably end up smoking the times too much when I really need to get on it. I have stuck many friend to the seat when getting off the line and still have dents in my dash from someone's death grip :waving:
Only bad thing about the 3;31's with a lot of power is you need a good clutch. Mine is starting to give up on me so I think I'll be getting a new one this summer.