thanks for all the help guys 
what gear to run?
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 99
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what gear to run? i am building a 1979 nova with a 2005 5.3 with drive by wire, all stock will be running a th350 transmssion, need to deside on a good all round gear, will be driven on the highwayand used as summer daily driver /weekend car may do some dragracing with it too, been looking at moser 9 inch rear end for it,
Get a 4L60E (computer controlled transmission with .7 overdrive) and run either a 3.2x through 3.5x but nothing steeper than 3.5x if economy is a motivator. The 3.2x will give you more economy on the expressway with a little loss in acceleration from a stop. The 3.5x option will give you more from the stop while trading top speed / cruise economy.
I have a 3700 lb car (without me) with a 4L60E and 3.23 (factory) gears that gets 16 - 17 city each tank with me beating on it regularly.
Last edited by gofastwclass; Nov 14, 2011 at 12:19 AM.
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A 3.42 gear is an all around good gear. Being your limited to three gears and third gear is 1:1, a 3.42 would be ideal. I had a 4 speed in my car with 4.10 gears and it was miserable to run on the highway. After I changed to the 3.42 I could actually drive on the highway without the old lady running off at the mouth. I have since swapped out the engine/trans to the 6.0/T56 and have left the 3.42 in and this car pulls good throughout each gear. Probably not ideal for the 1/8th drags but running down the highway I am turning 1700 rpms @ 70mph in 6th gear.
Good point.
...and another good point which gets me back to my opening statement. I completely understand using what you already have but...
As far as fuel economy, that is directly proportionate to driveability. I'm not saying fuel economy is the end goal but if driveability is high on the list, economy will automatically follow. Besides you don't want to cruise down the highway at 3100 RPM at 55 or 60 MPH (been there) because of poor transmission / gear choices which all goes back to my previous post.
Just something to think about.
As far as fuel economy, that is directly proportionate to driveability. I'm not saying fuel economy is the end goal but if driveability is high on the list, economy will automatically follow. Besides you don't want to cruise down the highway at 3100 RPM at 55 or 60 MPH (been there) because of poor transmission / gear choices which all goes back to my previous post.
Just something to think about.
Last edited by gofastwclass; Nov 14, 2011 at 08:21 PM. Reason: I can't type tonight...
i am building a 1979 nova with a 2005 5.3 with drive by wire, all stock will be running a th350 transmssion, need to deside on a good all round gear, will be driven on the highwayand used as summer daily driver /weekend car may do some dragracing with it too, been looking at moser 9 inch rear end for it,
Last edited by futureuser; Nov 14, 2011 at 11:20 PM.
