Here's a quick poll, what's your overall first gear ratio? That's your trans' first gear times your differential ratio. My example: Trans 1st 2.87 x rear 4.11 = 11.8 That's the ratio I am going to from a 10.7 with 3.73 gears. I am trying to compensate for having gotten the wrong OD ratio on my TKO, and slip the clutch a little less in town.

What kind of ratios are you guys running in your STREET driven cars? I'm just wondering if I'm on the lunatic fringe.

10.8 and it's too steep.

3 speed auto and 3.31s.

11.41 in the El Camino and 10.70 in the Nova.

The El Camino is great in first, low horsepower motor, heavy car and plenty of gear. I haven't driven the Nova yet, but it has twice the hp and torque of the El Camino and weighs 700 lbs less, should be fun :D

Paul your car is 8.34.

2.52 x 3.31=8.34

3.27x3.55 11.6 with 1:1 5th

2.48 x 3.36 = 8.33, with a 2k stall and sticky tires, still lights 'em up easy. :thumbsup:

Tremec 2.87 X 3.31 = 9.5 I have not driven the car yet but I am hoping it is not too steep. I might change out the rear to a 3.73; that would give me a 10.7. With the 3.31 I won't hardly be able to use the OD feature and I might benefit from a lower rear gear, all in good time.

I had 4.11 X 3.35 = 13.77 but it was so silly I could drop the clutch with no gas and not stall it.

Then I had 3.55 X 3.35 = 11.89 which was better but still way too short.

For 2010 I'll have a T56 so...
3.55 X 2.66 = 9.44 which should be good, hopefully not boggy on launching.

Can't wait to try it.

6.24 x 4.11 = 25.65. I don't use 1st much!

I'm running a Super T-10 with a 2.64 1st gear and 4.30 rear gears. This equals an 11.35.
Not too much at all. Even with the long stroke of my new combo (see signature), my SLR seems to work really well. If or when I switch over to a TKO, I may drop back to a 4.10 rear gear. IMO, I wouldn't worry about an 11.8 SLR being too much.

my DD trans am is 10.46 and its great.

4L60e (3.06) plus 3.42's.

chevelle is
2.52 and 3.55 = 8.946
but going to 3.73's sooo... = 9.39

aaron

6.24 x 4.11 = 25.65. I don't use 1st much!

sm465?

i had a sonoma with an NV3500 and 410's. that was stupid low..

4.02 x 4.10= 16.48
it was stupid low. i didnt even use 1st or 2nd most of the time.

aaron

3.27 1st gear X 3.00:1 rear gear = 9.81
1:1 fifth gear
This seems to work real nice with my combo.
Guy

3.27 x 3.42 = 11.18:1 which allows me to utilize an aluminum flywheel on the street.

70 Chevelle-Muncie, 2.52 x 3.07 12bolt = 7.7364
76 Cutlass-Richmond 5sp, 3.27 x 2.42 10bolt = 7.88
56 Vette-Muncie, 2.52 x 3.08 early 10bolt = 7.76
51 Chevy-Muncie, 2.52 x 3.08 early 10bolt = 7.76
68 Chevelle-Muncie, 2.52 x 3.08 10bolt = 7.76
04 Impala SS-I have no clue! :D

2.42 low and 4.56 11.3 ahh just right!

2.87 x 4.30 = 12.34 .......what my motor likes with 28" tire .small motor ,big cam had a 3,73 gear for a 10.70 ......not great

You pbly realize no one ratio will never fit all .depends on your engine / car weight etc .......I will say 12.34 makes 1 st gear a bit short on the street in traffic .......

This is interesting... I thought I was going into the twilight zone at 11.8, but currently 36% are 11-11.9. Just thought of something... I am going to need a new TKO speedo gear...

If there were a dragstrip around here, I might change. I am thinking of swapping torque converters right now as is. I have a 2400 stall custom built looking for a home.

Tom (DZ), I was just about to say, someone's runnin' a 2.41 gear with a th350 when I looked at the poll, then I saw all your 7's right below. Too funny! :D Been there myself a couple times.

How many replies are automatics? A torque converter takes care of a lot of clutch issues...

when i had my TKO 600, i had a 3.73 rear, trying to remember which 1st gear, with the cam i had, i hated it, wished i had done 4.11's and the .6 5th gear, i had the .8
anyway, a 4L80E cured all that stuff, lol

Off your poll chart, 13.13. 2:88 first,4:56.

12.197
3.27x3.73rear
real short but useful :)

Mine is lower than 7. I hate it. TH350 and 2.56 rear.

Mine is lower than 7. I hate it. TH350 and 2.56 rear.

Yes but at 130 mph you really are not winding the motor real tight :D

Off your poll chart, 13.13. 2:88 first,4:56.

nice!!! :thumbsup:

My daily driver is a 97 Z28, T56
2.66 x 3.42 = 9.1, 0.50 6th X 3.42 gives me 1.71

69 Chevelle TH350 4.11x2.52=10.36

Same 69 with 3.08 rear, 7.76, but I can drive on the highway.

88 Camaro t5 2.76x3.23=8.91
93 Z28 4L60 3.06x3.23=9.88
05 Silverado 4L80E 2.48x4.11=10.19


You should have also asked for tire size.
I'm just breaking 2K RPM at 70mph in the 97. I love that T56.

when i had my TKO 600, i had a 3.73 rear, trying to remember which 1st gear, with the cam i had, i hated it, wished i had done 4.11's and the .6 5th gear, i had the .8
anyway, a 4L80E cured all that stuff, lol

thats funny. i have the tko with 3.73 and wished i went with the .84 5th. i'm now stuck with the .64

thats funny. i have the tko with 3.73 and wished i went with the .84 5th. i'm now stuck with the .64

That's where I am, 3.73 with .64 OD. My gear change to 4.11 is to fix the 5th gear issue, 5th gear only gets used on the freeway, above 65mph or so. The new 4.11 will let me run at 59 :) I am thinking that it will be a little nicer to have a lower first, too. I run a McLeod twin disc clutch with a Quicktime scattershield, which is crazy open at the clutch fork and starter cutout. Lots of clutch smell escapes, it smells like burning wires at ever intersection start up.

Mine is lower than 7. I LOVE it. TH400 and 2.73 rear. The BB has all the torque it needs to fly out of the hole, and I can take day-long road trips with comfort.

4.10s with 2.20-1 M21 = 9.02 A lot of rpm on the highway which the engine doesn't seem to mind. Gas mileage suffers. Our other car went in the neighbourhood of 200K miles with the same gears and an M20, 10.332, and suffered no ill effects. I much preferred the M20 for stop and go driving.

That's where I am, 3.73 with .64 OD. My gear change to 4.11 is to fix the 5th gear issue, 5th gear only gets used on the freeway, above 65mph or so. The new 4.11 will let me run at 59 :) I am thinking that it will be a little nicer to have a lower first, too. I run a McLeod twin disc clutch with a Quicktime scattershield, which is crazy open at the clutch fork and starter cutout. Lots of clutch smell escapes, it smells like burning wires at ever intersection start up.

i really like the 3.73 with the first gear. I think its perfect. I wouldnt want it any shorter. I'm running a centerforce II with a stock bellhousing and i personally have no issues in traffic, launching, anything. It's just i need to run 75 for my 5th gear to be useful. That's fine except out of 40 some cars in our chevelle club, only 3 or 4 cars have OD trans. so cruising with them is a bear on the freeway.

3.06x3.73=11.41 here.
I am going to 9.25 with a trans swap soon.I do not need the tow truck ratio with my engine combo.

13 here. I figure I'll shift before 60':)

T56 with 3.89s= 2.66 x 3.89 = 10.3474

Works great and is street driven all the time when there isn't snow on the ground.

Doesn't tire diameter have a vote in this?

T56 with 3.89s= 2.66 x 3.89 = 10.3474

Works great and is street driven all the time when there isn't snow on the ground.

Doesn't tire diameter have a vote in this?

Tire diameter certainly matters, that that third variable would require a 3 dimensional graph, which isn't available.

Off your poll chart, 13.13. 2:88 first,4:56.

This what my Elky will be when I install my iron ST-10 this winter.Currently with the M-20 it's 2.54x4:56=1158.The Chevelle has it's original M-22,it is 2.20x3:73=8206.Going to be putting the original rear back in,that will knock it back to 2.20x3:31=7282.So basically if I want to go fast,I play with the Elky,if I want to cruise,out comes the Chevelle!:thumbsup:

TH400 2.48 x 4.56 = 11.31

28" 275/50r17 with GV OD

Same highway RPM,s as stock size rear tire with a 3.45 rear end.

BBP

Doesn't tire diameter have a vote in this?

A small part. Consider the smallest size tire that is going to be used at about 26" tall and the largest around 28".

Gearing is the biggest factor especially when considering the original question "What's the overall first gear ratio on your street driven car?"

A small part. Consider the smallest size tire that is going to be used at about 26" tall and the largest around 28".

Gearing is the biggest factor especially when considering the original question "What's the overall first gear ratio on your street driven car?"

Since circumference is pi*diameter, the difference between a 26" and 28" tire is 7.7%. The difference between 3.73 and 4.11 (the gear change I am doing) only 10.2%. Tires seem noteable.

And also the easiest and cheapest variable in the equation to change.

275R60/15 on the El Camino with a 3.06 first gear, 255R60/15 on the Nova with a 2.87 first gear, both with 3.73 rear gears, but to tired to do the math. My normal bedtime was 4 hours ago :boring: Heck about now I am usually getting up to pee :D