What gears are you running?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by paperboy, May 12, 2014.

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  1. paperboy

    paperboy Member

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    Looking at gear options for my stock (for now) 1977 250 with the c4. I do the majority of my driving around town with some highway. If I drive at 60mph it's usually for only about an hour at a time. Also, my tires are 235/60/14.
     
    paperboy, May 12, 2014
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  2. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    You don't say what you want to accomplish.
    Better mileage? 2.79
    Snappy performance and still have some mileage? 3.25- 3.55
    Total stop light runner 3.80

    :chirp:
     
    Acornridgeman, May 12, 2014
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  3. paperboy

    paperboy Member

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    Wanting more off the line snap, but not completely kill my mileage. Is there a big difference between 3.25 and 3.55?
     
    paperboy, May 12, 2014
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  4. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    Using your tire size, 60mph and a 1:1 final transmission ratio:

    3.25 = 2595 RPM
    3.55 = 2834 RPM

    For comparison, stock 2.79 = 2228 RPM

    :Handshake
     
    Acornridgeman, May 12, 2014
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  5. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    I have 3.40 gears in my '72 Grabber, but I'm running a 27" (255/60/15) tall tire on the rear. I like that gear, though it really needs a lower gear to make it impressive off the line with my mods.
     
    z28th1s, May 12, 2014
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  6. paperboy

    paperboy Member

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    Well, it looks as if the 3.55 is a good all-around gear and still keeps rpms at reasonable highway levels.
     
    paperboy, May 12, 2014
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  7. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    3.55's are harder to find used and you usually have to pay more for them. I wanted 3.55's for my car, but 'settled' for the 3.40's.
     
    z28th1s, May 12, 2014
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  8. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    I swapped my 2.79 to a 3.00 to 1. It made a lot of difference on the low end and even helped a little in the MPG's. I'm still using the 3.00 with my t5. I have 235x15" tires. I'm thinking 3.55 might be too much gear. I had a 3.70 under my Falcon with 215x15" and I had to turn 3800-4000 to keep up with everybody on the interstate. It now has a 3.25 and turns about 3200 on the interstate
     
    rthomas771, May 12, 2014
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  9. paperboy

    paperboy Member

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    Do the 3.40's work good for you?
     
    paperboy, May 12, 2014
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  10. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    Yes they do. My car is a 302 though. My car turns about 2,550 RPM's at 60 MPH with my gear/tire combo.
     
    z28th1s, May 12, 2014
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  11. paperboy

    paperboy Member

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    Would my car with the 235/60/14's run a little bit higher?
     
    paperboy, May 12, 2014
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  12. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    According to the tire calculator on tires.com my 255/60/15's are 27.05" tall. Your 235/60/14's are 25.1" tall. That means your tires are right at 2" inches shorter which will make your highway RPM's quite a bit higher than mine with the same rear end gear.
     
    z28th1s, May 12, 2014
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  13. paperboy

    paperboy Member

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    What gear would you suggest? I would like to keep my RPMs under 3,000 at highway speed. I figure anything more than the 2.79's I have will be a big difference. Don't want to be a pest, just trying to learn all I can. Wealth of knowledge on this site!!!
     
    paperboy, May 12, 2014
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  14. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    Plugging your info into the Summit Racing gear ratio calculator comes out to this.

    3.55's = 2,850 RPM's at 60 MPH
    3.40's = 2,730 RPM's at 60 MPH
    3.25's = 2,610 RPM's at 60 MPH
    3.00's = 2,410 RPM's at 60 MPH
     
    z28th1s, May 12, 2014
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  15. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    On my calculations, I over inflated the tires to 25.25" ................... :biglaugh:
     
    Acornridgeman, May 12, 2014
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