Picking rear gears

Status
Not open for further replies.

Tc77

Apprentice
Sep 19, 2018
72
189
33
The car is a 81 El Camino. Not sure on weight of the car. Motor is a 383 550 horsepower. 200r4 transmission with a 3000 stall.12 bolt rear. I am going to put on a set of et street tires 29.2 height.It is more of a street car then a drag car . For the question I have been thinking on using a set of 4.30 gears are these going to be to big on the street ?
 

Tc77

Apprentice
Sep 19, 2018
72
189
33
It will see highway use. I did a calculator on it at 75 the rpms should be around 3200
 

lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
3,965
113
Canton Mi
Loaded question - All the parts of your combo should complement each other - cam, carb, intake, compression, stall, gears, and tire height. Check the calculator your using, you should be around 2600-2700
 

CaliWagon83

Royal Smart Person
Nov 12, 2017
1,933
2,139
113
Orange County, CA
For me, 3.73 or 4.11 would be WAY too short, and 4.30, ridiculously short. If you plan on doing much freeway driving, I’d do like 3.23 or 3.42. I’m planning on going 3.08 for mine. Then again, I want loafing RPMs on the freeway.

Anything in the 4s is for drag racing, IMHO. I’d find some gear calculators online, and figure out what your RPMs would be for the speeds you’ll be driving most frequently.
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Qdub24

Royal Smart Person
Sep 6, 2006
1,796
785
113
Columbus, GA
"street" or highway- makes a big difference. 3.73 or 4.11 would be a "normal" pick.

With a 200-4R and 29" tires, my choice for a street car would be between either 3.73 or 4.11 as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

bob64

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2017
713
674
93
Niagara Falls, Canada
Wow ya want a block to block car with 4.30's. An 3200 rpm at 75 won't be able to hear yourself think. And then there is the thought if you ever put a smaller tire on it, say a 26", Lord thundering!!

You might want to rethink this say anything under a 4 to 1.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
Supporting Member
May 22, 2011
3,721
11,525
113
Central NY
3.42 would be the best overall....
 
  • Like
  • Agree
Reactions: 2 users

Tc77

Apprentice
Sep 19, 2018
72
189
33
Correction 75 at 2700-2800. What I am more worried about is if I want to take a long drive down the highway and over heating the transmission by not keeping it over the stall. And getting the car to hook.
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,214
113
Correction 75 at 2700-2800. What I am more worried about is if I want to take a long drive down the highway and over heating the transmission by not keeping it over the stall. And getting the car to hook.
I ain't buying it. Something isn't right. My 4L60e is at 2500 at 80 on 26.4" tires with a 3.42
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor