using vin to find gear ratio
#1
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 Iroc-z
Engine: ls1
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
using vin to find gear ratio
i wanted to find out my gear ratio since im getting my trans rebuild
it has the stock gears and i tried a site online for finding out what my car info is but i masked the last couple numbers (not stupid) but the site was blocked from some reason
so if anyone could find out for me or help me find out it would be great
1G1FP2182JLXXXXXX
it has the stock gears and i tried a site online for finding out what my car info is but i masked the last couple numbers (not stupid) but the site was blocked from some reason
so if anyone could find out for me or help me find out it would be great
1G1FP2182JLXXXXXX
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
The VIN number won't really tell you gear ratio. It'll tell you the engine, and sometimes only one gear ratio was available with a specific engine, but for 88 the L98 could be had with 2.77 or 3.27 gears. Really that doesn't tell you what's in the car NOW.
Your best bet if you want to know what gears were there originally is to check the RPO codes. If you want to know what gears are in it now, pull the cover off the rear and check.
Your best bet if you want to know what gears were there originally is to check the RPO codes. If you want to know what gears are in it now, pull the cover off the rear and check.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 Iroc-z
Engine: ls1
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
What about the numbers in the center counsel the "service parts identification"? Would anything in these codes tell me the gears?
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
It'll tell you what the car left the factory with. If you're lucky, that might be what it has now.
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
However, since these are old cars, that attract enthusiasts, gear changes and axle swaps aren't unusual. Just because the codes say it's one ratio doesn't mean that someone hasn't swapped the rear axle to get disc brakes or a better gear ratio.
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
The VIN number won't really tell you gear ratio. It'll tell you the engine, and sometimes only one gear ratio was available with a specific engine, but for 88 the L98 could be had with 2.77 or 3.27 gears. Really that doesn't tell you what's in the car NOW.
Your best bet if you want to know what gears were there originally is to check the RPO codes. If you want to know what gears are in it now, pull the cover off the rear and check.
Your best bet if you want to know what gears were there originally is to check the RPO codes. If you want to know what gears are in it now, pull the cover off the rear and check.
Use a Gear ratio Calculator like this one:
http://www.f-body.org/gears/ or
http://www.rearendparts.com/pages.php?pageid=16
Just write down what rpm's you are at at a certain speed. For my , I have 3.08 gears and run abour 2000 rpms at 67 mph, I have a 215 65 R15 tire or about a 26" diameter.
Hope this helps.
Trending Topics
#8
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Those would be the RPO codes I mentioned. Verify that the VIN number on the SPID matches the VIN under the windshield, if it doesn't the console lid (and the codes) are from a different car and they're useless. If they match, then look at the Gxx codes. Google the codes that start with the letter G and one of them will tell you the original gear ratio.
However, since these are old cars, that attract enthusiasts, gear changes and axle swaps aren't unusual. Just because the codes say it's one ratio doesn't mean that someone hasn't swapped the rear axle to get disc brakes or a better gear ratio.
However, since these are old cars, that attract enthusiasts, gear changes and axle swaps aren't unusual. Just because the codes say it's one ratio doesn't mean that someone hasn't swapped the rear axle to get disc brakes or a better gear ratio.
GM is notorious for reusing RPO codes for different things on different vehicles... TGO has a RPO decoder... it would be your best bet
#9
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
You dont need to pull of the cover to check.
Use a Gear ratio Calculator like this one:
http://www.f-body.org/gears/ or
http://www.rearendparts.com/pages.php?pageid=16
Just write down what rpm's you are at at a certain speed. For my , I have 3.08 gears and run abour 2000 rpms at 67 mph, I have a 215 65 R15 tire or about a 26" diameter.
Hope this helps.
Use a Gear ratio Calculator like this one:
http://www.f-body.org/gears/ or
http://www.rearendparts.com/pages.php?pageid=16
Just write down what rpm's you are at at a certain speed. For my , I have 3.08 gears and run abour 2000 rpms at 67 mph, I have a 215 65 R15 tire or about a 26" diameter.
Hope this helps.
#10
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,051
Received 1,672 Likes
on
1,269 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Why does this question get asked over and over and over and over and over and over and ..... ???
The answer is always the same.
If you REALLY want to know what gears are in your car, you GOTTA look at em.
What's the big deal? Why are people SO reluctant to LOOK AT THEIR GEARS? It's not like it's something "hard" or anything like that; only takes a couple of minutes.
Changed your rear end grease lately? I thought not. Then while you're catching up on the overdue routine maintenance, make a point of LOOKING at the gears; then you'll KNOW, with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, what gears are IN your car, NOW. And, you'll have fresh fluid, too.
The answer is always the same.
If you REALLY want to know what gears are in your car, you GOTTA look at em.
What's the big deal? Why are people SO reluctant to LOOK AT THEIR GEARS? It's not like it's something "hard" or anything like that; only takes a couple of minutes.
Changed your rear end grease lately? I thought not. Then while you're catching up on the overdue routine maintenance, make a point of LOOKING at the gears; then you'll KNOW, with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, what gears are IN your car, NOW. And, you'll have fresh fluid, too.
#11
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Macedon, near Rochester, NY.
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 TA (sold), 88 Corvette, 02 Monte
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
I've checked ratio by getting the wheels off the ground, spinning the driveshaft ten times, and counting the tire rotations.
But really its good to follow the rule of "if you didnt personally do a particular thing, dont expect that its ever been done". I'm glad I pulled the cover to check if I had limited slip. I didnt have ls. But I did have rear fluid that came out like mud that I'm glad I changed before ever driving the car.
But really its good to follow the rule of "if you didnt personally do a particular thing, dont expect that its ever been done". I'm glad I pulled the cover to check if I had limited slip. I didnt have ls. But I did have rear fluid that came out like mud that I'm glad I changed before ever driving the car.
#12
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 163 Likes
on
118 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
1) the majority of 350's got the 3.27 from 1987-1999, and 3.23 from 1990-1992.
2) US Formula's and GTA's all should have had the 3.27/3.23 as above. The Trans Am Also should have gotten the same, but the jury is out on that one. I do know that some years it was MANDITORY to have the 3.23/3.27 with the 350.
However Camaros are different that Firebirds, so this leaves some things up in the air.
I will be so bold to say
1) ALL 1990-1992 had the GU5 (3.23) with the L98 Z28, Formula, GTA & Trans Am.
2) ALL 1987-1989 Formulas and GTA's with the L98 had the GW6 (3.27)
3) It is a hit or miss for Camaros, many from 1987-1989 They had both, I think the majority had the 2.77...
John
2) US Formula's and GTA's all should have had the 3.27/3.23 as above. The Trans Am Also should have gotten the same, but the jury is out on that one. I do know that some years it was MANDITORY to have the 3.23/3.27 with the 350.
However Camaros are different that Firebirds, so this leaves some things up in the air.
I will be so bold to say
1) ALL 1990-1992 had the GU5 (3.23) with the L98 Z28, Formula, GTA & Trans Am.
2) ALL 1987-1989 Formulas and GTA's with the L98 had the GW6 (3.27)
3) It is a hit or miss for Camaros, many from 1987-1989 They had both, I think the majority had the 2.77...
John
#13
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Since the OP is asking about an 88 Camaro with an L98, that would indicate that the original gears were either 2.77 or 3.27 gears. Both of those ratios were available with that engine in 88 and 89. In 87 the L98 required 3.27 gears, and 90-up came with 3.23's, but 88 and 89 had optional ratios. To get the 3.27 gears in 88-89, G92 needed to be ordered.
Of course, since we have almost his complete VIN we know the year, make, model, and engine, so I didn't figure that Firebird info or other years were really pertinent.
Of course, since we have almost his complete VIN we know the year, make, model, and engine, so I didn't figure that Firebird info or other years were really pertinent.
#14
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1992 Rs
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Put your Vin into this website and it should tell you what you came out of the factory with.
http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1g1fp23e2nl166978
http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1g1fp23e2nl166978
#15
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Why does this question get asked over and over and over and over and over and over and ..... ???
The answer is always the same.
If you REALLY want to know what gears are in your car, you GOTTA look at em.
What's the big deal? Why are people SO reluctant to LOOK AT THEIR GEARS? It's not like it's something "hard" or anything like that; only takes a couple of minutes.
Changed your rear end grease lately? I thought not. Then while you're catching up on the overdue routine maintenance, make a point of LOOKING at the gears; then you'll KNOW, with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, what gears are IN your car, NOW. And, you'll have fresh fluid, too.
The answer is always the same.
If you REALLY want to know what gears are in your car, you GOTTA look at em.
What's the big deal? Why are people SO reluctant to LOOK AT THEIR GEARS? It's not like it's something "hard" or anything like that; only takes a couple of minutes.
Changed your rear end grease lately? I thought not. Then while you're catching up on the overdue routine maintenance, make a point of LOOKING at the gears; then you'll KNOW, with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, what gears are IN your car, NOW. And, you'll have fresh fluid, too.
#16
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 163 Likes
on
118 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Since the OP is asking about an 88 Camaro with an L98, that would indicate that the original gears were either 2.77 or 3.27 gears. Both of those ratios were available with that engine in 88 and 89. In 87 the L98 required 3.27 gears, and 90-up came with 3.23's, but 88 and 89 had optional ratios. To get the 3.27 gears in 88-89, G92 needed to be ordered.
Of course, since we have almost his complete VIN we know the year, make, model, and engine, so I didn't figure that Firebird info or other years were really pertinent.
Of course, since we have almost his complete VIN we know the year, make, model, and engine, so I didn't figure that Firebird info or other years were really pertinent.
Just thinking outside the box.
John
#17
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 163 Likes
on
118 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Put your Vin into this website and it should tell you what you came out of the factory with.
http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1g1fp23e2nl166978
http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1g1fp23e2nl166978
John
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Suburban 2500
Engine: 455 Wildcat ( somewhat modified ))
Transmission: TH400 ( for now )
Axle/Gears: 4.10 ( for now )
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
It's pretty easy.
Jack up both drive wheels. Mark the tire with chalk.
Start turning the driveshaft.
Count the turns of the driveshaft for exactly one revolution of the drive wheels.
All done.
Jack up both drive wheels. Mark the tire with chalk.
Start turning the driveshaft.
Count the turns of the driveshaft for exactly one revolution of the drive wheels.
All done.
#21
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: A lousy LS1 car
Engine: 347 Cu. In.
Transmission: Which One?
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
Quick, easy and painless.
#22
Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Boulder City, NV
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 16 Equinox,12 Silverado,91 Z28
Engine: 3.6l, 5.3l, 305 H.O.
Transmission: 6 Spd auto, 6 Spd Auto, 4 spd Auto
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
It won't do any good going to "Compnine" as they have shut down.
#23
Re: using vin to find gear ratio
You dont need to pull of the cover to check.
Use a Gear ratio Calculator like this one:
http://www.f-body.org/gears/ or
http://www.rearendparts.com/pages.php?pageid=16
Just write down what rpm's you are at at a certain speed. For my , I have 3.08 gears and run abour 2000 rpms at 67 mph, I have a 215 65 R15 tire or about a 26" diameter.
Hope this helps.
Use a Gear ratio Calculator like this one:
http://www.f-body.org/gears/ or
http://www.rearendparts.com/pages.php?pageid=16
Just write down what rpm's you are at at a certain speed. For my , I have 3.08 gears and run abour 2000 rpms at 67 mph, I have a 215 65 R15 tire or about a 26" diameter.
Hope this helps.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Keith27
Transmissions and Drivetrain
6
10-23-2002 03:39 PM