3.73 gear with a hot 350?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 RS Camaro
Engine: 400 sbc throttle body
Transmission: world class t5 manual
Axle/Gears: 3.73's, Detroit TrueTrac
3.73 gear with a hot 350?
hi i was wondering if i put some 3.73 gears behind my 350, which is pushing 350 hp, will that gearing be too low? i also have my stock 5 speed manual trany in. so will i burn through 1st gear to quickly or will i be okay?
#2
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,249
Received 1,722 Likes
on
1,312 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
Well, the L69 cars came with that gear stock; so I'd say, prolly OK, as long as your engine contnues to make meaningful power above 4000 RPM or so (meaning, NO TBI heads).
In mine, I actually thought I could use MORE gear than that sometimes, especially after I put a T-56 in it.
In mine, I actually thought I could use MORE gear than that sometimes, especially after I put a T-56 in it.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 RS Camaro
Engine: 400 sbc throttle body
Transmission: world class t5 manual
Axle/Gears: 3.73's, Detroit TrueTrac
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
really. so what would you recommend? 3.73. or 3.23? because i have an axle sitting in my garage with 3.23.
#5
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,249
Received 1,722 Likes
on
1,312 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
Depends on your 350.
Take it to the chassis dyno and find out. I'd say, if it makes peak torque below 2500 RPM, stick with what you've got; 2500-3000, 3.23 would be OK; 3000-3500, 3.42; above 3500, 3.73.
There are few things worse than having gears that force the motor to run in a range of RPM where it doesn't produce power. Either too low of a RPM (what you have now), or too high RPMs (the situation where it has terrific launch but can't pass a semi on the freeway at 55 mph). No fun either way.
Take it to the chassis dyno and find out. I'd say, if it makes peak torque below 2500 RPM, stick with what you've got; 2500-3000, 3.23 would be OK; 3000-3500, 3.42; above 3500, 3.73.
There are few things worse than having gears that force the motor to run in a range of RPM where it doesn't produce power. Either too low of a RPM (what you have now), or too high RPMs (the situation where it has terrific launch but can't pass a semi on the freeway at 55 mph). No fun either way.
#6
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
I'm in the same boat in a way. I have 3.23 but am looking for a 4th gen with 3.42. I found one but $550 is a bit high I think. I have some 3.42 for my rearend now but it's a drum brake and single side pull.
#7
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
I have a 1984 TA with the L69 package and a 355 swap. I dont find it too bad. Yea first and second seem a little short and at 70mph I spin about 2600 RPM. I don't find it undriveable but I do wish I had a 6th gear but I pull like a raped ape in 5th, seriously the highway is amazing and fun I never downshift. I do plan on new heads soon I am gonna go patriot vortecs but this is what I have now.
I have a 355 with
12-246-3 xtreem energy cam
RPM performer manifold
333882 heads rebuild
roller rockers
edelbrock 600cfm 1405 carb
headers
3 inch magnaflow pipe
other various things.
I have a 355 with
12-246-3 xtreem energy cam
RPM performer manifold
333882 heads rebuild
roller rockers
edelbrock 600cfm 1405 carb
headers
3 inch magnaflow pipe
other various things.
Last edited by midias; 03-16-2011 at 03:11 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
Heard sort of similar, but he had a 4000stall TC and had problems taking up boths lanes going sideways through an intersection after stoping at a light.
#9
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
I should mention I only get about 10-12mpg mostly in town
Last edited by midias; 03-16-2011 at 04:14 PM.
#11
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ahead of you...
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: 3.73 gear with a hot 350?
You can do it, but the question is what tire diameter you are running and also the rpm where peak power occurs. You don't want to be above your HP peak by much at the end of the quarter mile, or too low for that matter...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hectre13
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
2
12-11-2023 08:14 AM
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
04-25-2016 09:21 PM