229 gear

[olds307 and 403]

Are the 3.42 gears too much fun with all that torque? Anywhere within a City, the 3.42 gears should be running low rpm. I went from 2.56 to 3.42 gears, it felt and WAS faster, .6 in the 1/8. With an OD trans, I gained the best of both worlds.

 

[ssn696]

Keep your 3.42 gears and spend the money on a 200-4R. Bolts right up to an Olds block. Don’t need a high stall converter. If the fluid is moving harder than the car, the horsepower is just making heat. The car will launch well with a 3.42s and cruise on the highway like it has 2.56s.

 

[OldsZZ383]

I inherited my father's 1983 Cutlass with an anemic 307 V8, a 2.29 rear end, and THM200. It was a dog! So I swapped in a fully blueprinted Olds 350 with a mild cam that someone had it built but never picked it up from the machine shop. Guess what? It still was a dog!!! Change the 7.5 rear end to an 8.5! You have some better choices for the street... from 2.73 through 3.73 depending on the carrier. DEFINITELY get rid of the 2.29. Good luck!

 

[Ray G W]

A 2.29 gear with any amount of torque and a heavy foot will smoke the t-350. I put a 406 in my 79 years and years ago It was nothing fast, eventually went 13.60's with a 3.73 gear but with the factory rear turned the fluid in the t-350 black.

 

[82 elky]

Looking for reviews on a 229 rear gear with 350 turbo transmission has any body had this set up and what did u like or dislike about it is going on a a Big block olds 455

hi you get tons of torque and broken parts

 

[Red78Calais4speed]

2.29 gears are too tall unless you plan on going to the Bonneville Salt flats to attempt a new land speed record. 2.73, 2.93, or 3.08's are about as far as I'd go with a TH350. My 1979 Hurst has an Olds 350, stock 2.73 gears, stock 205/70 R14 tires and I can cruise at 65 at 2500 rpm and get almost 20 mpg. My 1978 Delta 88 has the 403, TH350, and factory 3.23 gears. It cruises at 65 at about 2900 rpm and only gets about 16 mpg highway. Maybe 10-11 around town. Take advantage of the low end torque the Olds 455 has to offer. Olds motors don't need to rev to he moon to make power. I'd personally go with a 2.73 and a mild stall converter.
I'd be a little concerned about the stock 7.5 rear, though. It might not be too happy behind the 455, especially if it's been built up. But... I guess it all depends what you're looking to do with the car.