Well, I pulled the trigger- Allstar 3.23s and Yukon spider gears are on the way!
Operation Lipstick on a Pig
- Thread starter fleming442
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Considering you do a lot of driving at 80 mph, you will run about 150 RPM lower with a 3.23 gear vs a 3.42 gear at 80 mph. Man that sure is a short tire, 24.8" tall. I like this calculator, very accurate with a lock up torque converter.
http://tech.oldsgmail.com/axle_RPM.php
http://tech.oldsgmail.com/axle_RPM.php
You will be so much happier with that 3.23. The 2.41 probably hurt fuel economy, even without factoring in hills since the 3.8 had to work so hard to get the car moving.
Your welcome, the stock spider gears are terrible soft, I picked up a used 3.42 open from an Astro van, they were nearly toast as well, I mixed and matched as I had picked used spider gears to limp it home. The Yukon spider gears looked good after a few runs with slicks in my mid 14's 88 Cutlass.
3.06 1st gear x 3.23 rear = 9.9 final drive ratio in first. Good.
3.06 x 3.42 = 10.5. Fine.
I normally shoot for between 9 and 10 for final drive ratio but I'm a V8 guy. Honestly, there is little difference between the 3.23 and the 3.42. You will be very happy with either coming from a 2.41. Since you are really mileage conscious, I'd say stick with the 3.23. It looks like it will give you a pretty balanced combination.
3.06 x 3.42 = 10.5. Fine.
I normally shoot for between 9 and 10 for final drive ratio but I'm a V8 guy. Honestly, there is little difference between the 3.23 and the 3.42. You will be very happy with either coming from a 2.41. Since you are really mileage conscious, I'd say stick with the 3.23. It looks like it will give you a pretty balanced combination.
The rear gear situation took the wind out of my sails. I noticed that I mangled the MAP sensor with the lift chain, so had to order a new. Ready to drop in tomorrow.....
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