honest gearing opinion

[79cutlasssalon442]

I have a 79 cutlass salon with the 442 package. Im running a mild chevy 305 bored and stroked to a 327. It has a holley 750 carb with flat top pistons and a new weian intake. Behind it is a rebuilt (clutch pads and shift kit) th350. Right now im running a 2.29 ratio (stock). I already have the 2.73 gears, so i don't need people telling me to get a new carrier and gears. I just want opinions on how much of a difference i will see when i change gears. I don't want an animal, but being a high school student, i want to be able to get sideways and show off a little when i can. We dont have the kickdown hooked up yet but when i have the pedal to the floor i can hold 1st gear till 60. Not too much fun when i need dirt to spin the tires. So honest opinions are welcome, suggestions for new gears/new carriers aren't. Also, when i spin on dirt without brakes or anything. instantly both tires spin. I can't beleive how quickly the posi responds and neither can my dad since he has a 84 t type and the posi isn't working too well.. thanks

 

[monte olrac]

Even though you don't want to hear it, you need to save some cash and get at least a 3:08.1 gear, but with 2:73's it wont be as much as a dog, you will be going from a St. Bernard to a German Sheppard, JMHO.

 

[Evan11]

I think it would give it a fairly decent acceleration difference, but it won't be drastic. I'd honestly think it would spin the tires now with the motor described. I have a nearly stock olds 350 with 2.41 gears & it will burn wide 295 tires if I want it too. (Although, mines not posi). If you think you have to burn rubber & run 2.73 gears, throw in a mild 1800-2400 stall converter. I will also be running 2.73 gears and an auburn posi. I think 2.73-3.08 gears are adequate for a 3 Spd car that's driven on the highway.

 

[Intragration]

I personally wouldn't waste my money going through the process of swapping gears, just to go from 2.29s to 2.73s. Sure, there will be a slight improvement, not enough to justify the expense IMO.

 

[455'ed80Regal]

You aren't going to see much of a difference at all, but anything is an improvement on those 2.29 gears you have.

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd put the 2.73 gears in. You might really like them with the 350 transmission and you will definitely see a difference from the 2.29. I tried the 3.42 and didn't like them so I went to a 3.08 and that was a huge difference. GM uses the 2.92 in their performance rear ends and your not too far from that with the 2.73

 

[axisg]

I wouldnt bother with trying to upgrade the gears in the rear you have. Pick up a complete rear from a Monte SS ( I sold my non-posi with 3.42's for $100 ) and swap the unit out complete. You will see a big difference in acceleration. Highway driving wont be as much fun though as the motor will rev noticably higher

 

[DRIVEN]

Honestly, this is kind of a weird post. You've made a decision to do something and are asking us if we think you will notice a difference, and how much, but don't want any other input. To paraphrase; "I normally eat PB&J sandwiches but I already made a peanut butter and banana sandwich and I'm going to eat it no matter what. How much difference will I notice? Being in high school I'm more concerned with people thinking I can run fast than actually being able too. I don't want any vegetables or protein but I notice that I get tired, hungry and weak soon after eating the PB&J. Don't tell me to make a turkey or ham sandwich even though most people agree that they are more satisfying, just tell me whether I'll like the PB&B better than PB&J."
So, is there a difference?
-Yes.
Will you notice it?
-No way we can say what you will notice.
Will it be "better"?
-Maybe, depends on your actual goal.
Will it help you pointlessly spin tires?
-A little.
Are there better options?
-Absolutely. Oh, wait...you don't want to hear about those.

Hope that helps.

 

[Fastmax32168]

I guess whether or not it is worth it to swap the gears around may depend on your mechanical prowess. Personally I have all the tools and can swap a set of gears around in an afternoon in the driveway. So from that point of view I would definitely do it. If it involved an appointment and paying someone a couple of hundred bucks to set them up for me however, I would probably look for a slightly steeper ratio.
Roy

 

[Intragration]

Ha ha Driven, that's pretty much exactly what I started typing. It's hard to give an honest opinion when you've been told that the right answer is not an option. I decided to save keystrokes, but X2 on your response.