I have a 71 Malibu with a 307 small block, 350 trans and a 10 bolt rear end. I've done some minor work on the engine; Edelbrock cam, intake and carb, and was hoping to make it run maybe a little hotter. Is it possible to run 3.73 or 4.11 gears in a 10 bolt? If so how much advantage will I have over my stock ratio?

Steve

It will help quite a bit as long as you don't do much hwy crusing. This should make the car fell better on the bottom end. I have 4.11 in my 10-bolt now.

How difficult was it to install the 4.11? What is involved in the installation?

Steve

I would reccommend having someone set it up that was done it before. To easy to get it wrong. The gears will wear quicker and be noisy if it's not right.

I run 4:11's in my 66SS L78. 3000rpm at 60mph.

The 3.73 gear will be a little easier to live with,
if you drive the car alot,
the 4.11 gears might make it E.T. or feel a
little quicker. But not that much.

Speaking as a guy with 4.10s, they are big fun around town, but with loud exhaust, and a 396 they can get on your nerves on the highway.

Mini-vans passing you and gas mileage...
I might get 10 mpg, when I can keep my foot out of it.

But did I mention, BIG FUN around town.

:D

it's definately possible to put 3.73-4.11 gear into a 10 bolt. how much difference it makes depends on what your stock gears are now. if you have 3.31's then swapping to 3.73's will be noticable, but not as drastic of a difference as say going from a 2.73 to a 3.73. a 307 needs all the help it can get in the gear and convertor dept.

when i was trying to select the gear i wanted a few years ago i was also torn between the 3.73 and 4.11. went we the 3.73 but i made the wrong choice. i should have gone with a 3.31 or 3.42. but then i drive it on the street and dont race it (yet). not a huge problem but still not really comfy on the highway. However, it can not be overstated, the advantage that steep gears give you when you want to move into the rpm power band of your engine VERY quickly.

307 that revs to 5,000 only thats if your lucky it probly only makes power to 4,500 if it were mine id go with some 3.55 gears that way if your going 60mph youd be at like 3,000 rpm and your motor would not be ready to puke its bottom end all over the highway plus if your goung from the stock 2.73 it will be a helluv and improvement

Thanks for the input guys, I think what I really need is to drop a crate 350 in the car!