Gearing in turbo a-body
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 206
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Gearing in turbo a-body Trying to decide what would be the best gears for an a-body 5.3 turbo, ss2 cam, 4L80, tires not sure, probably 18-19" around 29.5". Strictly a street machine. I was thinking either 3.42 or 3.73.
Last edited by dewchugr; Nov 22, 2018 at 08:21 PM. Reason: Spelling
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2017
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Yes. The answer to your question is yes. 
Final decider: how much of your time is spent on a highway / interstate? If the answer to that question is anything more than "a fair bit" i.e. "a lot", "i drive to work on one", "pretty often", you get the 3.42. Otherwise, you can get the 3.73.
Don't overthink this too much - you going to be able to light up the tires with either and the two ratios you mention are the most common sweet spot up for discussion. I wouldn't go a higher or lower ratio than the two you mentioned, but neither is a bad decision - you are right on the money... Unlike my 1985 C10 with something like a 2.73. That's a bad ratio to go back with when you add an extra gear to your autobox.
Final decider: how much of your time is spent on a highway / interstate? If the answer to that question is anything more than "a fair bit" i.e. "a lot", "i drive to work on one", "pretty often", you get the 3.42. Otherwise, you can get the 3.73.
Don't overthink this too much - you going to be able to light up the tires with either and the two ratios you mention are the most common sweet spot up for discussion. I wouldn't go a higher or lower ratio than the two you mentioned, but neither is a bad decision - you are right on the money... Unlike my 1985 C10 with something like a 2.73. That's a bad ratio to go back with when you add an extra gear to your autobox.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 206
Likes: 4
Weight 3500ish. Turbo gt45 is what I have right now. Convertor, no idea. Street vs highway percentage I don't know. A lot of around town and some road trips, possibly 1000 mile or more.
I think ill go with the 3.42 for a bit better mileage.
Thanks
I think ill go with the 3.42 for a bit better mileage.
Thanks
